AlvaDeer makes good points. Seniors and falling, unfortunately happens quite a bit, especially if they have issues like dementia, foot and leg issues, dizziness, etc. Your profile says your dad is 90 years old and has dementia. When my cousin, who had dementia, tried to stand or walk, she’d often just fall backwards. Her balance was terrible. Her falls drastically reduced once she went to using a wheelchair. She had much more mobility in her wheelchair than walking with a walker, which she mostly forgot to use. I’m not sure of any real remedy, as long as he’s walking. I’d discuss it with his doctor and see if there are any meds he takes that cause dizziness, but balance issues seem to abound. Even if you stand right beside a person, they can still fall in a second. You might also discuss strategies with the AL rep. In my state, bed rails aren’t allowed for residents. I hope you can find something to help.
Dealing with this at my mom’s AL right now also. The place is small, there are just a couple paths she walks—most importantly, to the bathroom at night.
I purchased a bed rail, a compact one, so she can steady herself getting out of the bed. Gaining her balance while standing up seems to be the biggest problem. If we like this rail I will put second one to grab at the foot of the bed also, as a second handhold on her way to the bathroom. From there she can grab the door, then the safety bars inside the bath.
Mom could also use this to pull back up if she falls. Right now she needs to crawl to a chair.
I also found somewhere, not sure where, a floor-to-ceiling bar that is held in place by tension; does not have to be “installed”. It is $350, but I am considering that as an add-in as well, maybe for another part of the apartment. It’s a static hand-hold that is always there, unlike the rollator that is always someplace else.
Every nurse, every family, wishes we had the answer to this one. Unfortunately, along with our tendons and our muscles, our BALANCE goes, and it is now finally recognized that one of the best barometers of where we are headed is our balance. There are great balance exercises out there; none of us do them!
I will use myself as an example. Riding the bus used to be easy for me, standing up. I hardly needed to hold on. Now, despite the fact I weigh 140, more than ever I did, I am like a feather in the winds. That's called being 80. I literally will fly about the bus on turns and sudden stops. Our balance simply goes.
Canes, walkers, walking sticks can add stability. Then you have us falling over our own and those belonging to others.
I wish there was an answer. Best I can tell you is to have MD assessment, hopefully a referral to PT, and to DO those balance exercises, concentrate on keeping spaces free of clutter and other objects, and HOPE.
I hope others have better answers for you, but this old retired RN has few. I sure wish you luck.
I purchased a bed rail, a compact one, so she can steady herself getting out of the bed. Gaining her balance while standing up seems to be the biggest problem. If we like this rail I will put second one to grab at the foot of the bed also, as a second handhold on her way to the bathroom. From there she can grab the door, then the safety bars inside the bath.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07NWWWKNJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image
Mom could also use this to pull back up if she falls. Right now she needs to crawl to a chair.
I also found somewhere, not sure where, a floor-to-ceiling bar that is held in place by tension; does not have to be “installed”. It is $350, but I am considering that as an add-in as well, maybe for another part of the apartment. It’s a static hand-hold that is always there, unlike the rollator that is always someplace else.
Unfortunately, along with our tendons and our muscles, our BALANCE goes, and it is now finally recognized that one of the best barometers of where we are headed is our balance. There are great balance exercises out there; none of us do them!
I will use myself as an example. Riding the bus used to be easy for me, standing up. I hardly needed to hold on. Now, despite the fact I weigh 140, more than ever I did, I am like a feather in the winds. That's called being 80. I literally will fly about the bus on turns and sudden stops. Our balance simply goes.
Canes, walkers, walking sticks can add stability. Then you have us falling over our own and those belonging to others.
I wish there was an answer. Best I can tell you is to have MD assessment, hopefully a referral to PT, and to DO those balance exercises, concentrate on keeping spaces free of clutter and other objects, and HOPE.
I hope others have better answers for you, but this old retired RN has few. I sure wish you luck.