Mom 87 mild dementia has been bedridden since falling in Dec breaking hip pelvis and shoulder. They only thing keeping her in bed is her refusal to allow hoyer lift to put her in a chair. They give pain med & anti-anxiety med prior. Her shoulder and hip healed. Pelvis won't heal due to immobility. She screams and protests if we put her in hoyer. Once shes in a chair shes comfortable. Its very distressing hearing her yelling while using hoyer. The SNF is reluctant to use it if we aren't there because they say the resident has the right to refuse. Her fear of getting in it is what's standing between being bedridden and isolated with total care and improving her status. She sees a counselor but ge never addresses her fears. She's refused PT and they won't touch her if she says no. They dr writes orders for PT but she refuses
It’s “ very distressing “ for you to hear her yell . Imagine how she feels .
Then after a few days of that, I'd crank it up a bit higher, and adjust it so she could sit in the sling over the bed, legs dangling outside. We'd talk, and she'd always get a treat afterwards.
Soon, we were able to use it. By "we" I mean me by myself, with her in the Sling - over the wheelchair, then I'd very slowly lower her into it.
I initially had a Physical Therapist come to our house to train me in how to use the Hoyer Lift with her, and also watched You Tube Videos on how to do it.
This would take time and many facilities simply do not have the staff to allow daily or several times a day staff to take 30 minutes to get a resident used to a Hoyer.
(I say 30 minutes because you have to get the equipment, get the resident in the sling, hook it up then either remain there for a bit with no movement or raising it for a few minuets to lower it and remove the sling and return the equipment. And it takes 2 staff with the equipment not just 1.
Obviously with support of physiptherapist & probably a standing machine with waist belt sling to start. Once Mom can stand (supported) she may get her confidence.
I have seen this done many times. Fear/hatred of the lifting hoist. Pain too - it bends a person at the shoulders & hips which considering your Mom's shoulder & pelvis injuries could be awful.
I get that a person has the right to refuse. But, some physios can be more 'encouraging' with their approach.
😃 Positive manner
🦵 A clear goal
☕️ A reward
eg Hello Mrs Lovely! How are you this fine day? I would LOVE to see you sitting up in your chair today. I will then bring you a nice hot cuppa. Whattya say?
We could use this flying machine.. (wait for the refusal) OR THIS! Staff enter with the standing machine. Once there is a CHOICE, often the elder chooses the 2nd option. Once standing, even just 2 mins to start, every day the legs start to gain back strength.
Goal may or may not be for true walking (have to be Ax) but for Mom to be 1-2 assist with frame to pivot transfer to her chair.
Avoiding the dreaded hoist!
PS my role is to be the smiling one wheeling the 2nd equipment in 😁
PPS *Staying in bed* is a stage that will happen for many of us. Your Mom will be the judge of when that will be.
I wonder if some type of bribery might work for your mom? It wouldn't work for my mom's roommate since her family brings all sorts of treats and she eats at will (many kids/grandkids). Or, if you could afford it, maybe something special to look at in a Visual Realty type thing?
I sure hope someone has a simple idea that would work in a nursing home setting!