Mom does those slip slides off the side of the bed. I or my siblings can't lift her. We end up calling the fire department. Are we wearing out our welcome? AL and NH residents experience the same falls. How are those falls handled?
We called the fire dept and 911. You could really injure your back trying to lift her alone. A lift is when they are in bed and need to be put in a chair.
Thank you... You are correct. Seems that most of the equipment that we saw on the internet are inappropriate. The fire department has been great. I am wondering if those services will ever be unavailable if we call to much. We are having a home care assessment done so we can learn about options and other safety measures we can use to avoid Mom from actually sliding onto the floor. We're also looking for ways to move her up on her bed. We want to have any equipment or supplies to ensure, as best we can, her safety and the safety of all who come to care for Mom. Thanks again... 🤗
I think Hoyer Lift has been suggested previously. It works wth bed to wheel chair or vice versa transfers well as long as she isn’t hurt from falling. Good luck. One tip. Google how to use the sling that goes with Hoyer. Our PT showed us an incorrect way and my mom was yelling until we googled and found the correct way that worked for my mom.
Wow. Great idea 👍. We are counting on the PT as well to guide us on using strategies and equipment. Believably unbelievable! Who are the experts in the field anymore? Now days so important to read, share and ask questions. Thanks again... Your insight is so appreciated.. 😃
when aunt got to he facility palliative care prescribed a Hoyer Lift, to carry her from bedroom to couch. I suppose a Hoyer Lift could be used for someone who has fallen. Check into it and see if medicaid or doctor can prescribe it for you.
Get mom a medical bed with the rails, or lower bed to be closer to ground, or throw an old mattress down, so if she does slip out of bed, she falls onto mattress.
brittle bones and hard floors don't turn out so well at times. FD was getting upset about my MIL calling them all the time, and the neighbor was wearing out ttrying to get her up.
I put my back out trying to give my 65 lb dog a tub bath. I certianly wont do that again.
😅 You said a mouthful. Our fear exactly! Thanks for the tips. We're having our sibling pow-wow. We will definitely discuss all ideas received... Thanks. We appreciate your response
AL & NH have lifting machines, we call them a Hoist where I live. Has a sling you place under person on floor, clips or hooks on & lifts by motor with rechargeable battery. AL or NH may require 2 x to assist with a hoist lift, but 1 x could do it if trained by PT & was confident. Takes up a lot of space & costs about $2K. Of course, may need emergency crew anyway if injuries, & always if head strike is reported/suspected.
There are blow up cushion products (google Elk emergency lifting cushion). Still needs 1-2 x to assist, much smaller, easier to store. I looked into this for my sister as we are also wearing out our welcome... price approx $3K & she won't contribute to cost.
Emergency crews have shown us how to use a bed sheet as a hoist but both my husband & I have previously hurt our backs trying to lift my sister & I do NOT recommend this unless say, the house was on fire. Do NOT injure yourselves - you cannot function as a carer if you do.
I would suggest getting a PT or OT to make a home visit for a falls risk assessment. They can suggest so many things to prevent falls (which is what you want). Depending on your Mum's fitness, they may even be able to show her how to get up (with 1 x assist).
I just want to say you have my complete sympathy! Went through this very thing with my mom for over a year without a solution. I wanted the EMT’s that would come out to get her up off the floor to report her to Social Services (she lived alone) & they said they couldn’t.
I truly hope hope you can find something that works.
Mom was obese. I couldn't get my arms around her very well to lift, and if could I might have hurt myself. She couldn't help get herself off the floor as she was too heavy and her legs too weak to help.
Two things: one, I'd grab a kitchen chair. I could help her onto her knees then put the chair in front of her. She'd lean over the seat and grab the back. Between the two of us she could straighten her legs stand up. That worked well.
Two, she'd often fall in the middle of the night on her way to the bathroom. I studied the walk to the bathroom and discovered Mom had a nightstand and a dresser to help herself steady when she got out of bed. Then there was an small open space in the bedroom, then the bedroom door, then the hallway to steady herself into the bathroom. That open space was where she'd fall. I set up a couple kitchen chairs with the backs facing where she would walk. That way she had a something to grab the whole way. She never fell again in the night.
It sounds as if the floor is too far away for her to reach and safely stand. I had that problem with Luz until I made a small platform for her. It was just over three inches high and helped her greatly. I also installed a small bed rail for her to grab a hold of to help her stand. It is only about 12 inches wide and rises above the mattress about 12 inches also. The heighth of the platform can be adjusted for Mom but if she has difficulty with steps it may need a second platform to help her step up or down. I hope this helps. I would consult with a physical type of therapist on the getting up. We were shown a method of using a chair or foot stool to assist the fallen person. We used it more than once and it worked as long as Luz understood what was needed of her. It also kept those good looking , young and, strong guys away from my wife. But I did appreciate their help and they did check her for injuries before leaving.
It sounds as if the floor is too far away for her to reach and safely stand. I had that problem with Luz until I made a small platform for her. It was just over three inches high and helped her greatly. I also installed a small bed rail for her to grab a hold of to help her stand. It is only about 12 inches wide and rises above the mattress about 12 inches also. The heighth of the platform can be adjusted for Mom but if she has difficulty with steps it may need a second platform to help her step up or down. I hope this helps.
We will probably try the rail. You are correct about the step issue. Mom has Huntington's and it's not the safest option to use multiple levels for her to step. Thanks for sharing your experience. I appreciate your suggestions...😃
Best of luck with your mom.
Thanks again...
🤗
One tip. Google how to use the sling that goes with Hoyer. Our PT showed us an incorrect way and my mom was yelling until we googled and found the correct way that worked for my mom.
Thanks again... Your insight is so appreciated..
😃
Get mom a medical bed with the rails, or lower bed to be closer to ground, or throw an old mattress down, so if she does slip out of bed, she falls onto mattress.
brittle bones and hard floors don't turn out so well at times. FD was getting upset about my MIL calling them all the time, and the neighbor was wearing out ttrying to get her up.
I put my back out trying to give my 65 lb dog a tub bath. I certianly wont do that again.
There are blow up cushion products (google Elk emergency lifting cushion). Still needs 1-2 x to assist, much smaller, easier to store. I looked into this for my sister as we are also wearing out our welcome... price approx $3K & she won't contribute to cost.
Emergency crews have shown us how to use a bed sheet as a hoist but both my husband & I have previously hurt our backs trying to lift my sister & I do NOT recommend this unless say, the house was on fire. Do NOT injure yourselves - you cannot function as a carer if you do.
I would suggest getting a PT or OT to make a home visit for a falls risk assessment. They can suggest so many things to prevent falls (which is what you want). Depending on your Mum's fitness, they may even be able to show her how to get up (with 1 x assist).
I truly hope hope you can find something that works.
Two things: one, I'd grab a kitchen chair. I could help her onto her knees then put the chair in front of her. She'd lean over the seat and grab the back. Between the two of us she could straighten her legs stand up. That worked well.
Two, she'd often fall in the middle of the night on her way to the bathroom. I studied the walk to the bathroom and discovered Mom had a nightstand and a dresser to help herself steady when she got out of bed. Then there was an small open space in the bedroom, then the bedroom door, then the hallway to steady herself into the bathroom. That open space was where she'd fall. I set up a couple kitchen chairs with the backs facing where she would walk. That way she had a something to grab the whole way. She never fell again in the night.
about 12 inches also.
The heighth of the platform can be adjusted for Mom but if she has difficulty with steps it may need a second platform to help her step up or down.
I hope this helps.
I would consult with a physical type of therapist on the getting up. We were shown a method of using a chair or foot stool to assist the fallen person. We used it more than once and it worked as long as Luz understood what was needed of her.
It also kept those good looking , young and, strong guys away from my wife. But I did appreciate their help and they did check her for injuries before leaving.
about 12 inches also.
The heighth of the platform can be adjusted for Mom but if she has difficulty with steps it may need a second platform to help her step up or down.
I hope this helps.
Mom has Huntington's and it's not the safest option to use multiple levels for her to step. Thanks for sharing your experience. I appreciate your suggestions...😃