Mum won't stay in rehabilitation

Seems reasonable TBH! She has been brought back to rehab "to see a doctor" and no word of when the dr will come!

I would leave too and attend my GP for BP review personally if no Dr transpires!

Also it is a bit poor of the rehab place to not get her BP issues seen to before her home OT visit. They have had 5 weeks and BP drops/dizziness reviews are rehab bread and butter..

Notanan. Her nurse has told her the Dr will be calling in to see her tomorrow, I'll be phoning to see whats been said.Her therapist said her bp would now be a priority, obviously they want her home now.She's had ongoing problems with her bp, medication has been changed several times, including whilst she's been in there, non of it has made any difference, she's 88 with some heart problems too.My fear is that she'll fall again, it was a fall that broke her hip, probably because her bp dropped.

I get what youre saying I just understand her frustration. And do think that 5 weeks in rehab should have been enough to sort out her BP drops and if it wasnt sorted they should never have gone ahead with the home visit: thats just torture for someone who has been in hospital that long!

I am a terrible patient though and have been known to self discharge so I guess Im just sympathising with her

I don't blame her for being fed up - as others have said they must have been taking her BP in the rehab hospital and that should have been dealt with before home visit.

Yes I agree with you both, they seemed to have not bothered that her bp isn't right, even though I've told them on numerous occasions about her problems, seems that they thought changing her tablets would sort it but it obviously hasn't.We'll have to see what the Dr says tomorrow if he turns up .

Yeah there is no point im changing meds if they havent been properly monitoring whether its doing the trick

It shouldnt be up to the OT to notice on a home visit that its still all over the place and needs further adjustments

BP is something that can be complicated by circumstances.Although I appreciate that you will be worried and think the hospital might be the best place to sort it out she might get a better diagnosis and treatment if she is allowed to return home with a 24hour BP monitor.In fact I'm surprised her GP hasn't done this already if she has had problems.

I don’t blame her either 5 weeks is a long time I agree with others I d be chomping at he bit too

Trisha.Yes she has had bp monitoring and heart traces done fairly recently, she has AF and it was suggested at her last hospital appointment that she may need a pacemaker fitting, she's not keen on this at all though, so it's difficult trying to persuade her, then in the meantime she had this fall.

I should think they probably want and need to get her home asap and that should be Ok with proper community support. Of course she can discharge herself any time she likes.

Probably might be a good idea to try and persuade her to have the pacemaker fitted - it could sort everything out and she will be safer at home. As Teetime said they probably need the bed so will want her home as soon as possible, 5 weeks is a long time - my mum was only in 4.

When she first went in they said the usual stay is 2 to 4 weeks but some have been in there months Is it really okay though to send her home feeling unwell and dizzy, they said careers would come in 3 times a day for up to half an hour each time, there's still a lot of time she'll be on her own.

An ECG will not show dizzy spells/drops. They are done lying down.

Rehab should have been doing "lying and standing BPs" these last 5 weeks. Thats what shows the kind of dips that cause dizziness and falls.

Just make sure she has a personal alarm, and wears it. Then if she does fall or have a dizzy spell she can quickly call for help.

I am with her, I would be demanding to be sent home. If she knows the risks and is fully mental aware then you must respect them, despite the dangers.

My mother had BP problems which no one seemed to be able to deal with. Basically she could and did lose consciousness briefly. Fortunately she was able to tell when it was going to happen and tried to be somewhere safe. She lived to be 94.

Hi, Trisher.Talking with my mum last night the Dr still hasn't been to see her, they have promised to ring me today.Did your mum live independently with her problem bp, was it always unstable ? Mum seems to think hers will always be like this now, and she still doesn't want a pacemaker ?

Has she got a lifeline pendant? LA will supply these.

Hi Katyjmymum was in sheletred housing which I have to say was a life-saver for her in many ways. She had multiple medical problems and her hip was one of the few things she managed not to break. She would sometimes pass out if she stood for too long, although I must admitt it was also very convenient for her when she was asked to queue- "I can't stand if I have to I will pass out. You must see to me immediately!" We never really knew why her BP was so strange and I don't think the doctors did either. Hope you get something sorted.

Hi just an update.Their sending her home on Tuesday, they've said is postural hypotension and theirs nothing more that can be done, a pacemaker won't help.Carers will be going in three times a day, but she's already said they won't be welcome if their rubbish.She was offered carers for my dad, but after two weeks declared they were no good and looked after him herself for the next 25 years ! .I'm going to buy a hard hat.

There certainly are things that can be done for postural hypotension. Not least coping strategies and referrals to fall cafes. Caffine can help. Regular medication reviews can help. Planning for night time toilet trips and getting up in the morning so it allows her to sit on the edge of the bed for 3 mins before standing without being "caught short".

This is literally what rehab is for! Postural hypotension is their bread and butter! How can they not suggest strategies and follow ups?

TBF they sound a bit useless. I would go home and go see my GP instead

Thank you notananI've never heard of a fall cafe, I'll look into that.she has been told to be careful when standing, as you say sitting for a few minutes first. I'll get in touch with her own gp when she gets home although to be honest I don't rate them either.

My gut instinct was right my poor mum came home for three hours yesterday, the physio called in to see her and deemed her too ill to be at home,and called an ambulance, she's now in hospital, and I've just had a call to say their going to discharge her today either home again or rehabilitaion. Just seem to be going around in circles.I'm not happy with her at home unless she's made a miraculous recovery overnight !

Sorry to hear that! Sounds so frustrating x