Pat,
I hope your mom has a speedy recovery! My dad is also 81 and had back surgery 4 years ago and has done very well. Sorry that you had to tell them to do their job, although you did it alot nicer then I have. I've learned one of the most effective tactics is to ask once and if they don't do what they should be go above them to the administration of the hospital (which there is usually a representative available 24/7 but they don't readily let people know because heads are going to role when they get involved - we spend lots of time in hospitals all over the country and its amazing how vastly different the level of care is and honestly the ones we've dealt with in FL have been the most disappointing)
Tracey