Question
My dad who is 91 supposedly fractured his hip it was not until 2 weeks after the fall that the bone scan showed something, he had surgery to pin his hip with a plate and screws, he is now in the nursing home for rehab. He is depressed, confused and his sodium levels are low. They take him to PT in a wheelchair he cant walk, they make him stand for a short time and back in the chair, he does all this in socks with NO shoes. Shall we give him more support with shoes? he is NON weight bearing only on his tip toes to get from bed to chair...very frustrating as he was independent until now although he did shuffle when he walked with a cane
any insight as to how to make him more comfortable shall I take him home? hire PT to come to the house?

Answer
Sam

I am also the child of an aging parent.  Although my mother is not in a nursing home, she is confined to the house so I do understand and sympathize with you and all you are going through with your father.  I am truly sorry.  My question to you, is where his his doctor?  Is he being followed by a geriatric internist? If not, get to whoever you need to speak with in the hospital and find out who he needs to follow him. Surgeons are not geriatric doctors and they only follow up on the surgery, they cannot deal with other problems that hip patients have so your dad needs to be followed by his internist.

I'll answer your easy question first.  I do think he should be wearing shoes or hard slippers when out of bed.  If he is in PT, get shoes on his feet and ask that someone get him a walker so he can stand and at least TRY to walk a few steps.  Unless his doctor tells you otherwise, your dad needs to feel as if he progressing somewhat in his walking and/or standing or his depression will get worse.

Get someone to look at his blood tests and determine what adjustments need to be made to his medicines or diet to get his bloodwork back to where it should be.  This is essential due to his age.  

If he is functioning normal emotionally, he needs to feel as if he is making progress in his rehab or he won't get better and spiral downwards.  I fight with my mother all the time to get out of bed, get dressed and do something to make her feel as if she is "human being".  In the case of your dad, being pulled out of bed and dragged down to rehab just to stand for a few seconds does nothing for his mind and I believe very little for his body, so if you have a head of PT at the nursing home, ask why he is not being made to move more.

If you take him home, it may become very hard on your to care for him, especially in this state his in now.  He will need round the clock care so you need to ask yourself if you can provide that care.  Also, if you take him home, will he have interaction with others.  Despite the atmosphere in the nursing home, he may be having interaction with others and that is necessary for him.  Do you have family nearby that can assist you in his care?  Does his insurance provide a blurb to have a PT come to the house?  These are things that need to be considered before you bring him home on your own.

I have tried to address what questions I could for your dad, and I truly hope things get better for your family.