My mother (will be 85 in November) fell in the NH and broke her hip Friday morning they repaired it that evening. They did not put her to sleep but did a spinal because of her COPD, CHF etc.... She was totally crazy in the hospital but I thought once she got back to the nursing home she would be better. She is not talking hardly at all, stares into space even stares at me like she does not see me. They say it could be the meds. She is on pain meds but she does seem to be in a great deal of pain when they ask her to give them a number it is always high. I am not sure how much intervention I take. They are doing rehab on her but she is VERY weak, but she was weak before she fell. This is just difficult to watch and not know what to do. Do you ask that they back off her pain meds and let her hurt or do you just let nature take its course. She has been in the nursing home for 14 months now. Her mind was declining some before she fell but she still went and played bingo and got out some. She was still delusional but the Depakote they put her on had helped that some. She was under hospice care up until 2 days before she fell they had taken her off because she had not declined but had just stayed the same not better but the same.... I am just torn as to what to do. I am an only child so I do not have siblings to consult. Everyone I talk to that takes care of her has different advice. One says let her stay on the meds one says back off of them and see how her mental state gets. Anyone been through this and can offer advice ?
We all know what falling and breaking a hip does to an elderly person. It's a very traumatic experience. Being hospitalized messes with the mind and body as well. Being in the hospital is a 24/7 experience, too much stimulation, pain, being away from familiar surroundings and familiar routines. She may not bounce all the way back but once the pain meds are discontinued (if in fact they ever are) she may become more lucid. There's just no way to know right now. But your mom's at the very beginning of this process. She needs physical therapy and time to heal, time to rest....Give it a little more time and see if she improves.
Your mother was not in good shape to begin with from what you say, so this will set her back. Sometimes nursing homes use hospice because insurance covers it and they can get extra care. I think it is worthwhile to try a round of rehab and see how she responds. The fall, the change in surroundings and her pain level can make her loopy. Also make sure there are no interactions with the medicine that someone missed. It is probably a combination of all that has happened and the meds. Give it some time, go with your heart. and ask questions. Go to rehab with her and see what they do for her. My friends father was placed on hospice 2 years ago! They take him off/put him back on. Hang in there!