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OH has fractured femur - not a good situation

(937 Posts)
Luckygirl Tue 26-Mar-19 10:35:34

As many of you will know, OH has had PD for many years and is very frail. He only weighs 6.5 stone. Sadly he fell yesterday and has a displaced fracture of his femur. He is not a good candidate for surgery - but there is no choice.

It is a worry that the ward do not have the air mattress that he needs and that he has at home - we had just got on top of the skin problem. He was on a trolley for 12 hours yesterday which will not have helped.

I am waiting to hear when the op will be.

annsixty Fri 26-Apr-19 09:00:36

Lucky, are you not using "pullups" at night?
They were invaluble and after starting using them at night, if I had to get up for any reason, it wasn't to strip a bed.
NHS wouldn't provide them, only pads which weren't good at night, I bought them online every few weeks.
Expensive but oh so worth it.

Chloesgranny Fri 26-Apr-19 09:16:54

Lucky, did you know that you can get waterproof duvet covers? Combined with pull-ups there should be less washing. Washing and drying a duvet, even if the sun is shining, is almost impossible. flowers

MawBroonsback Fri 26-Apr-19 09:21:50

If you are using “pull ups” (as you surely must be) have you tried doubling up at night with a second pair?
There are also types which are more adjustable for a closer fit and very easy to do up and undo regardless of the “patient’s “ position. Ask your DN/carer and look online.

annsixty Fri 26-Apr-19 09:26:28

I used The Incontinence Shop online and settled on the ID products. Always happy with them and very fast ,reliable delivery.

MawBroonsback Fri 26-Apr-19 09:29:47

I also used a flat sheet under the duvet as an extra layer for the odd leak - much easier to wash and replace than a duvet cover. The carers were wonderful about making or remaking the bed while I stayed with DH on the loo.

Luckygirl Fri 26-Apr-19 10:02:19

The problem is pulling them up. It is OK when the carers have got him standing on his frame; but otherwise it is hard as he cannot arch his back when he is lying down for me to get anything (sheet, pad etc.) underneath him. It is difficult to get him to roll on his side because of his new hip. The carers too have trouble with this.

Could someone please send a link to the pull-ups that they have used so I can see how we might manage with them? I am very grateful for any advice from seasoned carers.

Luckygirl Fri 26-Apr-19 10:03:36

By the way - last night's problem was because he asked to use the bottle then just got it everywhere - it would actually have been easier if he had peed in the pad!

mumofmadboys Fri 26-Apr-19 10:09:08

I used to buy my dad pullups from Tesco. They were designed for early teenagers who had problems with night time incontinence but as my dad was only 7 and a half stone lately they fitted well and only leaked occasionally. I have forgotten what make they were.

Charleygirl5 Fri 26-Apr-19 10:10:44

Lucky to stop his hip dislocating he must have at least one pillow between his legs when he is being turned. This will probably have to continue after 6 weeks post surgery because he is not going to get any muscle power back. A lot depends on how thick the pillows are. If he lies on his side he should have a pillow against his back to keep him in position.

aggie Fri 26-Apr-19 10:25:13

We didn't use pull ups but wrap round ones with sticky tabs , we got them from the District nurse and bought extras from Amazon . Toddlers night time ones would probably fit your OH as he is so light

MawBroonsback Fri 26-Apr-19 10:52:43

That’s the sort Aggie I have been looking online but couldn’t remember what they were called. DH had a huge incision hernia but was otherwise very thin so a good fit was hard to find until I heard of these.

dragonfly46 Fri 26-Apr-19 13:41:15

I used to buy my dad's pads from Age Uk. They were very good and have quite an assortment.

Luckygirl Fri 26-Apr-19 14:25:45

A standing aid has been delivered!!! - brand new and brilliant! All denonstrated by the physio - just what is needed! - hooray! But guess what? - the carer has just arrived and she cannot use it until her manager has seen it and OK'd it. It is a mad, mad, mad world here!

grannyqueenie Fri 26-Apr-19 15:13:22

* lucky* you just couldn’t make it up. Thank goodness you still have a sense of humour, it’ll serve you well. x

kittylester Fri 26-Apr-19 15:16:34

Flipping heck, lucky!!

MawBroonsback Fri 26-Apr-19 15:46:23

It reminds me of how the carer was not allowed to use or administer anything prescribed - even barrier cream- unless it had been “signed off” on the care sheets. So I used to do it instead.

Bathsheba Fri 26-Apr-19 16:11:23

Crazy rules! As if life isn't difficult enough... I am pleased to see that some progress is being made, though, however slowly the wheels turn.

aggie Fri 26-Apr-19 16:28:59

I had forgotten about that bit .. sigh , I wasn't supposed to use it either , but guess what needs must . Even the ambulance man couldn't use it nor the hoists , so I did it for them , it isn't rocket science !

Charleygirl5 Fri 26-Apr-19 16:46:00

It would happen on a Friday afternoon because I am certain that nobody of any importance will be at work before Monday. What does the manager know that the physio does not I wonder?

What type of frame is it? How to waste another couple of days without really trying. Maybe you could use it in between times?!!!!

aggie Fri 26-Apr-19 17:02:41

it isn't a frame it is a sort of hoist (I think) OH had one it means the user can stand and sit on a seat while the carer pushes it over the next seat/commode/bed , lots of different versions and the Physio used to come and make sure that the carer who was there could understand the way to use it . the others learnt by osmosis wink

Gran2028 Fri 26-Apr-19 17:16:27

Sara stedy... remember to use the brake before loading and unloading... best wishes

Callistemon Fri 26-Apr-19 17:20:19

Someone I know had a hoist for her DH but could not have him home from hospital until both she and the carers had had training in how to use the hoist.
She said - 'just let him come home, I'll fathom out how to use it myself!'.

Luckygirl Fri 26-Apr-19 17:54:44

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da9Jml2P4q8

Here it is - brilliant - but I notice the guy in the video forgot to put the brakes on first!

Riverwalk Fri 26-Apr-19 18:24:23

Lucky have you considered a conveen catheter for your husband?

It's external - like a condom but attached to a drainage tube and bag. Very easy to roll-on/off.

catheter condom

Charleygirl5 Fri 26-Apr-19 18:34:13

That hoist is so easy to use, it does not take rocket science. It could also be used for standing your DH out of bed to relieve his buttocks from the pressure.

I also noticed he did not apply a brake.