How to keep Mom from falling?

Oh, Ronnie, I don't know if a nursing home will take her, not if she likes to climb on tables. More likely she will need memory care. So sorry. She is already on some heavy-duty medications. Hugs to you.

I agree i have a gait belt but don't really see the need yet. She is just all over the place not always unsteady either. She is on .25 mg of risperdone x3 a day along with 1 mg of ativan 3 times a day. She was a escape artist for awhile and very aggressive so that is why the heavy drugs. We go to the Dr. In a couple wks. I will see what he suggests, last time I asked he said nursing home, that's what they all say!!

I've seen a few patients with a restraining belt while in a wheelchair, but don't know the circumstances. Sometimes the patients appeared to be so weak that they were unable to even maintain a posture, so that might have been the governing factor.

I think I would research the meds to check for side effects which might be a contributing factor for the furniture moving and crawling on the floor. The latter seems almost like a reversion to an infant like level, which may be part of the dementia.

I've never experienced furniture moving so I have no clues as to that. There are a lot of posters here who are dealing with dementia so hopefully they have more insight.

Does she live with you? If so, you could consider using a gait belt. I've seen them used successfully for transferring in a SNF and used one when my father was rehabbing from hip fractures, but never really liked them. They're so short that one has to walk very close to the person, so close that it was hard for me to walk that close and that slowly.

In addition, it always reminded me of a circus trainer with a monkey on a leash. I just never liked the concept of taking someone out with a belt wrapped around the waist, as if I was walking a dog.

We don't know if the furniture moving is a dementia thing or a med. Side effect. She doesn't have any furniture in her way, that is the odd thing. Even gets on top of the kit. Table. Yes I know she will end up hurting herself unfortunately. My home is pretty child proof since I have a 1 1/2 yr old grandson.
Is a wheelchair with restraining seat belt next? I just questioned what do they do in a nursing home to protect this kind of a pt.?

Ask her doctor for a script for a rollator, take her to a DME supplier and let her try it out. She may find it easier to use, especially since the wheels have 360 degree rotation.

In the meantime, clear out all the obstacles, rearrange the furniture so that there are soft things for her to fall on if/when she loses her balance.

Also have grab bars installed by a carpenter (not a handyman) diretly into the studs along her routes so she can hold onto them.

I'm puzzled about her crawling on the floor if she's able to walk fine.

She spends a lot of time crawling on the floor? Is this after she falls?

All you can do is put precautions in place.

* Stand up slowly from a seated position

* Ensure that the path to the bathroom is clear with nothing for her to stumble over.

* Have a healthcare professional instruct her in the correct way to use a walker. If she continues to just carry it get her a rollator. It's too heavy for her to pick up.

* Stop her from moving furniture!? Why is shy moving furniture? If it's in her way get it out of her way so she doesn't fall over it.

If your mom refuses assistance brace yourself for the inevitable fall and hope that she doesn't break her hip. Once that happens her life will be able Physical Therapy, home health nurses, and limited range of motion.

An ounce of prevention.....

No walker. I tried but she just carried it around. She moves furniture all day also. Thanks though!

I hope she's using a walker. That's my only suggestion.