I can't sleep, I'm so worried about my Mom.

[Archae]

My Dad died about 2 years ago, so my Mom lives alone.

All us kids live in Sheboygan county, but Mom lives about 90 miles north of Green Bay.

And she has a serious problem, terrible nosebleeds.

She's 76, BTW.

[marzipanni]

1. I think your mom should ask her doctor

Last edited Sun Apr 8, 2012, 03:41 AM - Edit history (1)

if her nose could be cauterized.
Has she lived there for a long time? Does she have friends nearby who keep in touch with her?

[Archae]

8. Mom is going to get her nose cauterized tomorrow

I hope it works out for her.

I had bad nosebleeds about 10 years ago, and did it BURN when my doctor cauterized my nose.
Haven't had a nosebleed since.

I sure hope it works the same way for my Mom.

My Mom has many friends up where she lives, otherwise she'd be living here in Sheboygan county.

As to driving, that's the only way she can get around, since in Oconto county there's no bus service or any real senior transport.

[lovemydog]

2. I'm sorry you're worrying about her

I think the above advice is very good - try and get her to see a doctor.

Hope you get some good sleep soon.

[grasswire]

3. does she have one of those medical alert things?

The thing you wear around your neck and either press a button or it notes a fall, and calls to see if you need help?

Maybe it's time for her to not live alone any more. Maybe?

Now is the time every family faces -- transition as parents age. You are a good person to worry. I hope you can make some progress toward resolution of the situation.

[davsand]

9. My mom has one of those med alert buttons she wears at home.

She has used it a couple of times and I am not sure she'd have been able to stay alone without it. She got it after she had her quadruple bypass a couple of years ago. She'd been in a rehab center for about a month post surgical and the rehab people encouraged it--especially because she lives alone. Even that might not have been enough to get her to do it except for the fact that one of her friends took a fall in the bathroom and laid there overnight until somebody found her. When rescue got there they took out her front door and found her naked in the bath--unable to get up--and near hypothermia.

Something that many families face is the resistance the older ones have to giving up independence. My mom refuses to consider living with us, nor does she want to give up her house. It is HER space and it is important to her to keep it as long as possible. The call button has allowed that for a while longer than we might have otherwise managed. We all know that the time is coming when she's not gonna be able to manage on her own, but we've been committed to making it work for her as long as we can. She has a cleaning lady that comes in to help with the more physically demanding stuff like floors, and she has a lawn guy to take care of the outside work. She cooks for herself and manages her diet and meds just fine, so for now, the arrangement is working out ok. We hope it won't change, but if it does, we'll figure it out...






Laura

[crunch60]

4. Maybe you could see about getting her a roommate, check the senior centers, they might be

able to help you out. That's what my friend did for his Mom. Lucky, her roommate had been a friend of hers for many years. They shared an apartment, worked out great.

[BeHereNow]

5. Oh, my heart breaks for you- I know the feeling all too well.

My folks are both alive, but are failing fast, my dad in particular.
I worry about them night and day.

I'm in California and they live in Texas- my dad's bother just died a few weeks ago
and it was terrible for him.

My mom seems fairly strong still, but I don't know for how much longer.
I hate that we are so far away-

My sister and other relatives live in Dallas too- but her job has
her on the road most of the time and I don't have ANY neighbor
phone numbers- Note to self: GET NUMBERS TOMORROW.

Any chance your mom's nose bleeds could be a side effect of a medication?
I keep a list of all the medications my folks are on and research all the possible
side effects from those medications.

Sadly, if the doctors don't think family members are "on it"
many elderly people end up on clinical trial drugs.

They pulled that on my dad a few years ago- luckily I was visiting and
observed and ADR to a med my dad was given.

I called the doctor after reading the potential side effects of the drug
and read him (the doctor) the riot act.

Be vigilant.
Find out what drugs she may be taking and if any of them
are reported to cause nose bleeds-
You CAN NOT be too involved with their medical treatments.

Been there, done that-
BHN

[barbtries]

6. does she drive?

any friends near by? i think you should if at all possible get her to a doctor. good luck!

[intaglio]

7. Find someway to get her to a Dr

It's probably nothing but - even at 76 it's better safe