A Ranfurly woman says she is ‘‘heartbroken'' because her husband needed to go into aged residential care after a stay in Dunedin Hospital during which he did not receive sufficient exercise to keep him mobile.
Norma Manson (82) said her husband Noel (91) spent three weeks in hospital in March, and for two weeks of it he was bedridden.
When he got back to Ranfurly his ‘‘knees buckled'' when he tried to walk. ‘‘He has been assessed as needing hospital-level rest-home care and I am heartbroken.
‘‘I not only lose my companion of 57 years but our savings as well.
‘‘I did not realise that he was not getting any exercise until he transferred to Maniototo Hospital where I met him and found that he could not stand without support of two people.''
While in hospital, Mr Manson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although the diagnosis was serious, Mrs Manson believed Mr Manson could have been cared for at home if his mobility was maintained.
Before, he was able to shower himself and help with household chores.
She said she knew two other Ranfurly men whose mobility significantly reduced after stays in Dunedin Hospital this year. Falls prevention has become a big focus in the health sector, and boards have to publicly report falls along with other serious events. Mrs Manson believed the focus on preventing falls might be having unintended consequences.
‘‘It makes me think that that might be a problem. I can't think of any other reason for keeping people in bed like that, unless they are worried about balance and falls.''
The health board has arranged a conference call with Mrs Manson next week to discuss her concerns.
A health board spokeswoman told the ODT the board could not answer questions as Mr Manson had not given consent, despite the fact Mrs Manson had given consent, and she has power of attorney over his affairs.
In its statement, the board said it believed mobility was important for strength and balance, and this was encouraged where appropriate.
‘‘Southern DHB has a falls prevention programme which is designed to promote and manage safe mobilisation.
‘‘Falls risk assessment procedures are undertaken on any patient that is screened as a potential falls risk.''
