The doctor says my 80 year old mom is very "frail". What is he trying to tell me?

Question

I know the dictionary definition for frail. But I think the doctor means something more.
My mom is 80 and had open heart sugery this summer. Though she is recovering slowly, the doctor and nurses said she is very frail.
What does the medical staff mean when they add "she's very frail" to the rest of the prognosis?

Answer 1

At her age and health condition(s) things could take a turn for the worse and I am not telling you that because I want to scare you but you need to prepare yourself for anything... I work with the elderly and have seen amazing things happen. What they are telling you don't expect to much. She has already come through a tough surgery at her age which is awesome...She is susceptible to anything right because of her health condition(s) and going through surgery which makes her frail....

Answer 2

All the answers seem like good advice my only imput would be on the way to handel her.

If she needs help standing up, hold her hand in yours and place other hand under her bent arm elbow area, be carefull if she's at that age b/c bruising is very easy and hurts 10x's more to the elderly. This could cause blood clots under the skin. As being a woman Osteoperosis is another concern I'm sure. Always support her in this way rather then grabbing her (lovingly I'm sure) but care should be taken on the way you handle her, frail means she needs to be treated like U'd treat china or something that can break ie bruise easily. Especially after heart surgery, she needs to really take it easy, look into Rascal Scooters I worked there once, they are a blessing to many and Very Safe. It gives her back her freedom as well.

A seriouse fall is not something that should be in the family's vocabulary if ya know what I mean...Good luck and God Bless U & Your Family.

Answer 3

The doctors are trying to get across that your 80 year old mother is "frail". They mean frail as weak, after the surgery and she needs to be handled with care and concern to avoid any other major problems. Your mother is 80, so make sure you're around in case of falls, trips, etc.

Answer 4

In the case of my Aunt, who is 90, the doctor means to be careful not to expose her to germs, cold, too much excitement, etc. I'm sure your Mom's doctor is thinking the same thing. Imagine how hard it would be for your Mom to recover from a cold or the flu on top of the recent surgery. When they say "frail" I think they mean that extra care must be taken.

Answer 5

Wow, i will have written this right comparable post, minus the strep throat. My son is 3 and a a million/2 and likewise merely 28 kilos. He has to bypass lower back to the rfile in 2 months for a weight verify and that i'm freaking out. I stay in a shield, so i do no longer practice my own foodstuff and he get rather distracted as quickly as we consume in the super eating room with a zillion different young babies, his acquaintances, so he doesnt consume nicely in there. i attempted the Pediasure element yet he became merely ingesting those and not eating something at mealtime and that may no longer healthful the two. He ended up eating much less energy that way. i'm so scared they are going to take him from me, becuase they have him listed as failure to thive and that i do no longer comprehend what to do. He loves greens and that i visit feed them to him all day long yet that doesn't positioned any weight on him. he's particularly lively and wears braces on his legs so he burns extra energy merely working around then different young babies his age.

Answer 6

frail is frail. She is not strong,medically she is fragile,my hubby has been 'frail'' since his 3 heart attacks and his constant bouts of congestive heart failure. He goes into the hospital several times a yr for the fluid that builds up in his lungs and around his heart and does not allow him to breathe, we have oxygen in the house, a hospital bed so he can sleep sitting up and a shower chair. That my dear is frail. your mom is 80 and had open heart surgery,what do you expect?

Answer 7

Frail means weak.
Age at the time of CABG is critical to the prognosis, younger patients with no complicating diseases have a high probability of greater longevity. The older patient can usually be expected to suffer further blockage of the coronary arteries.

Answer 8

I'm sure they mean she is not in good health and must take it easy. But next time you are talking with the doctor it would be a good idea to ask for clarification on things you don't understand that they are telling you about her medical condition so you can make sure she is properly accomadated and cared for.

Answer 9

What the Dr. means that she is in a fragile state condition and you need to watch out for critical signs... But she is 80 years old, be prepare.

Wish you enough and I will have you guys on my prayers.

Answer 10

80 and open heart surgery. God bless her. It means you can't leave her alone to fend for her self. She does not have strength and stamina. She needs consistent help. Maybe a live in nurse. Check it on Web Md. com...