<p>Dad was here about 5 hours when he walked downstairs in stocking feet and fell (night befor his 80’th birthday)
Fractured fibula, do we pay to fly back early? Just splint and go on with the previous reservations?</p>
<p>So, who else has had something go wrong?</p>
<p>So sorry to hear about Dad. Are you visiting him at his home or is he visiting at your home? If he wants to just go home early is he even in any shape to handle the flights? If you are there or he is with you wouldn’t it be better for him to be around others as he deals with adapting to some obstacles?</p>
<p>Are you saying you are somewhere where his fracture can’t be treated? I would expect it to be splinted for a day or two to allow the swelling to go down, but then wouldn’t it need a cast? If he has to fly home, will he have someone competent to take care of him go with him? Pain meds and flying don’t always mix - speaking from personal experience.</p>
<p>Sorry this has happened to you and him. But hopefully being with family will allow him the help and distraction his might need.</p>
<p>I’m guessing he might feel more comfortable being in his own home environment–I know I always do if I’m ill or injured.</p>
<p>That said, given his age, it may be best to let him recover at your place, if you are able to accomodate him for a longer period of time. But I think the questions regarding what treatment he needs now to heal best are key.</p>
<p>The last few years of my Dad’s life, almost every time he came to visit, he ended up in the hospital. One of those times, we thought we’d have to put him temporarily in a care-facility where we live, nearly 2500 miles from their home (he couldn’t travel). My mother was contemplating what that would mean for her. Luckily, he rallied and was able to get back home after all. It was an overwhelming time for all of us, thinking about what to do next–except that we couldn’t predict with any certainty how Dad himself would do.</p>
<p>Unless you are certain he’ll be looked after properly if he were to travel back, it might give you peace of mind knowing you’ll be able to watch over him. Unfortunately, at this age, these kinds of falls can lead to complications. Best of luck to you in working through this.</p>
<p>Let us know what happens and how he’s doing.</p>
<p>Well since you asked . . . </p>
<p>Dear MIL spent Saturday morning running errands, volunteering at the church and taking a usually housebound friend to the store. When she dropped the friend off, her friend had some difficulty getting up the stairs to her house so MIL jumps out of the car to help but forgets to put the car into park. The car pinned her against the house at which point her friend (who doesn’t move well at all) moves as fast her legs can take her to my MIL’s house to get my FIL (who also doesn’t move too well!). Long story short, she fractured her pelvis and is now laid up in the hospital, undergoing PT in the hopes of learning to transfer from the bed to the wheelchair and ultimately learning to walk with a walker while she heals. She will spend Thanksgiving in the hospital. Sigh . . .</p>
<p>Wow. Sorry both of you are dealing with this, it really points out how fragile our older parent’s good health is!</p>
<p>Jordansmom, my mom fractured her pelvis a couple years ago. It was one of the easier recoveries she has had (and she has many to compare!). She won’t be using the walker too long, most likely. Hang in there.</p>
<p>Regarding a fractured fibula, depends on the pain and the nature of the fracture. A crack? Go on with life. A stick fracture with dislocation? Likely painful, longer recovery, may require setting so different answer.</p>
<p>As for broken bones in old people, there is solid evidence that small amounts of balance work prevent falls. Three tips, since all of us face this in our families:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Walk on uneven surfaces. Some facilities have now installed short stretches of uneven walkway - with bars. Studies suggest that walking over uneven pavement a few times teaches the brain. </p></li>
<li><p>Train the vestibular system. That’s your balance system. Easy to do but very few people do it. I have vertigo so I’ve had to work on mine. It’s easy: stand on one foot. Do that for a long time. Try moving your leg around while you stand. Then try doing it with your eyes closed or in a darkened room. Your brain learns quickly.</p></li>
<li><p>Use some form of wobble ball or board. The brain runs the show but studies strongly suggest that foot and ankle awareness helps a lot. Get one of those wobbly pads and stand on it in your socks or bare feet. Start in shoes if that’s easier for you. You’ll improve quickly. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>These skills prevent slips, wobbles, etc. from becoming falls.</p>
<p>There is also a body of research on learning how to fall, but that’s a different topic. Older people can be taught to fall so they don’t land on their hips. Better to break a wrist than be in a wheelchair. It seems that older people tend to shield their arms and hands when they fall and need to be shown to do the opposite. This is especially necessary for women because so many have weaker bones.</p>
<p>My bad holiday happening:</p>
<p>My aunt passed away (somewhat unexpectantly) and we are leaving houseguests early Friday a.m. and driving to Delaware to attend funeral and back to CT again in the evening.</p>
<p>Not really “bad”, just disappointing:</p>
<p>I recently got my first job, which is in retail. Naturally, they require all employees to work Black Friday. Since my home is an 8-hour drive away and there aren’t many flights on Thanksgiving day, I can’t go home for thanksgiving. I’m going to a roommate’s house which is only about a 2-hour drive.</p>
<p>I AM extremely thankful that she is allowing me into her family for the day. :D</p>
<p>HisGrace, I’m sorry you have to miss Thanksgiving with your family. I’m sure they will miss you, also. And ELY, so sorry about your aunt.
Thank you all for your concern. We got Dad into an orthopedic specialist today. Walking boot, no surgery needed. Hooray! He and Mom will fly home as planned - first class on miles so he’ll have leg-room.
Lergnom, I’m going to start the balance exercises myself! Thanks for the advice. I’ll pass them on.</p>