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Fancicoffee57 Asked December 2014

My husband has been having difficulty standing up out of a chair or wheel chair, etc. Any advice?

Today at the doctor's office, I noticed that he almost wasn't able to stand up. I didn't know what I was going to do. He's been having difficulty with this, but today I noticed how difficult it is-really hard to do on his own power. I help him as much as I can, but don't know how much longer. I think he is getting weaker in his legs. He has copd, emphysema, major heart issues. I think we will ask a doctor what to do about it. Today we went to get an X-ray to see if he had liquid in his left lung.

Windyridge Mar 2015
An electric lift chair has been a great help to my mom. She pushes a button and the chair slowly raises her to a near standing position. She then can easily take off around the house with her walker, then the chair reverses when she sits back Down. There's a wide range of styles, sizes and prices. A good one is going to run 5 to 800 bucks. Also for the toilet, get a potty chair like you see in hospitals and nursing homes. It sits over the toilet and has sturdy handles on each side and is height adjustable. This was also a great help for my mom who was having falls trying not negotiate the standard toilet.

Jgannoe Mar 2015
There is a new standing frame that may be able to provide some assistance. The Company is Simple Homecare Supply and they have an EZ-Up Stand Assist standing frame that seems to be helping many like your husband.

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gladimhere Dec 2014
We are having the same problem, difficulty standing from seated in a chair. There are arm rests but she is unable to use them. She uses one armrest and the table which is about six inches higher than the arm of the chair. Sometimes it helps if she takes off her shoes. I think it is juat another part of the decline into dementia.

He, on the other hand, prefers to sit on his spot on the couch and try to grow roots. I, like Fanci, see the benefit of physical therapy and have been trying to encourage him to do this for months. He, too just did not want to or care. Then had him at the doc last week and talked about his general weakness. Doc asked him if he would rather be in a nursing home in a wheel chair and explained if he doesn't use it he will lose it. So, he finally agreed to in home PT which started yesterday. The therapist started with an evaluation which included walking like on a tightrope. Not a chance! This made him realize just how weak and unstable he is. So, he actually asked me to help with his exercises today. This is quite an accomplishment for him! He wants to remain in the home more than ever now, especially since placement would mean separating him from my Mom. And sisters are really pushing hard to place Mom! So, he has that added motivation.

blannie Dec 2014
Well when my dad couldn't get up from the toilet, he had to leave the independent living apartment (where he lived with mom) and go to skilled nursing. I just couldn't handle someone who couldn't get up out of a chair or the toilet. He had lung cancer, so this was a part of his general weakening condition.

If your husband doesn't have a terminal illness, he needs to understand that not being mobile will make it very difficult for him to stay where he is. Good luck to you, because you're the one who has to deal with it, I know. Hugs.

Fancicoffee57 Dec 2014
I think therapy is a great idea, he just has the "I don't want to" about it and other things. Like not doing some of his meds for breathing! He will take the pills, but some of the other stuff, nope.

EaseLiving Dec 2014
Therapy Therapy Therapy! He needs to build up his all over strength. And practice. I often have people sit to stand from a chair as part of their exercise.

cwillie Dec 2014
My mom really benefited from some simple exercises recommended by a physiotherapist. Fortunately the cost was covered for us, but it would be well worth the price of a few sessions if you are not. As he said at the time, you really don't want to have to deal with the complications of caring for someone who can't get up and walk.

xxxxxxxx Dec 2014
First you should ask him if his knees hurt. There are shots you can get, one is cortisone, that works as an inflammatory, and that is a single shot. The other is a series and there are several brands, that replace the fluid. They may or may not help, but usually do at first. He may have arthritis in his knees, which is not uncommon. They will xray his knees to be certain, you can see arthritis.

To assist him in standing from a sitting position, it is helpful if the seat is not too low, use a cushion if necessary. Have him "skootch" (technical term) out to the edge of the chair as far as he can, put his feet under his knees and use the arms of the chair to push. There are youtube videos demonstrating. I know it is tempting to grab his hands and pull, but that is not advised. And you definitely don't want to hurt your back lifting him, so do some research about your body positions. Sorry about his decline.

freqflyer Dec 2014
Francicoffee, so sorry to read that your hubby is having difficulty in standing up from a chair. It all comes with aging. Six years ago my parents use to walk 2 miles a day. Now a days, Dad can barely walk down to the end of their driveway to get the mail. And whenever I ring the phone at their house, I have to let the phone ring over 12 times before Dad can get up from the sofa to go over to answer the phone. Even I don't have the energy I did a few years ago :(

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