Mother is in the hospital with a hip fracture. She’s 92-years old. The staff called a meeting to decide how to handle her care. There were 10 people there plus myself (her daughter). No wonder the cost of health care is sky high. Why couldn’t the doctor just sit down with me and work this out together?

Older adults with hip fractures require a multi-disciplinary approach. Often the fracture limits life expectancy and prevents the patient from returning home. Because the cost of treating patients with hip fracture is so high, everyone’ input is helpful in charting out a plan of care. This is done to benefit the patient without running up the cost of services.

Extremely elderly (defined as 90 years and older) often have multiple other medical problems. These comorbidities complicate the treatment and results. Over half of the adults in this age group with a hip fracture never return home. Twenty-five per cent end up in a skilled nursing facility. Twenty-five per cent don’t survive.

The fact that so many healthcare professionals are involved in your mother’s case is actually a good sign. That means all factors and variables will be considered. Her chances of recovery are greater with so much attention to her case.