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I visited my mom today, and one of the caregivers told me my mom had fallen out of her bed last night. They said she was crawling on the floor asking for help. They looked her over and do not think she has sustained any injury from the fall and has no bruises. This person said it was the second time.



I am not her POA, so nobody informed me when it happened. I just happened to arrive there and this individual told me. UGH!



My mom has extremely limited mobility and gets around by shuffling her feet in her wheelchair. She is very weak. She has however gotten herself to the toilet and to bed on her own successfully. I do not believe she actually "should" be attempting any of these things on her own, but am unsure how anyone can monitor a resident 24/7.



I think that first, mom needs a lower bed and a padding next to the bed to absorb any future falls. Her bed is tucked into a corner with only one open side.



How would you handle this? What are the best practices in this situation? Is the staff missing anything in her care?
Thank you.

Find Care & Housing
Have them supply a bed t hat drops to the ground and one of the gym mats for the floor.

Bed rails are no longer used in most states as they caused death from choking.
(Roll into bedrail and unable to move and asphyxiate.)
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Reply to brandee
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My mom's roommate has a bed lower to the ground. I was told mom could have a body pillow up under one side of the bedsheet to keep her from rolling out. Mom got fed up with it, but has not had a fall in a while, so I'm not as worried. It seems she fell more when she first got there and is acclimating well now.
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Reply to JustAnon
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A Hospital bed can be lowered and a mat or other pad can be placed next to the bed.
You could also try a wedge that can be placed under the sheet that may prevent her from "falling out of bed" Even a "pool noodle might be enough to prevent the roll.
I am wondering how exactly is she falling out of bed.
Is it that she is trying to stand and get out of bed and that she falls?
Is it that she is rolling out of bed much like a child does when they transition from a crib to a regular bed. And no rails to prevent the rolling.
Rails are not permitted as they are considered a restraint.
It is possible that a large wedge may also be considered a restraint.
Do have them order a Hospital Bed it will make things easier
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Thanks Lealonnie and Cwillie.

Each time I visit my mom, I see something different to feel appalled by. You offer good suggestions that 'should' be simple to address. Thanks.
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Reply to GingerMay
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If they are willing to work with you even though you aren't POA then ask what their plan is to mitigate the risk of future falls, it's shouldn't take an executive order for them to use a lower bed or floor mats if those are available. If they aren't then it means family has to provide them and things undoubtedly get trickier.
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Reply to cwillie
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Mom's POA should get her a hospice evaluation. Then hospice can bring her a pillow top bolster device that cradles her in the bed and makes falling out a lot more difficult. My mother fell constantly, but once this device was put on her bed, it cut down on her falls dramatically. The staff can do nothing but lay down padding on the floor, which is a trip hazard. Most MCs will not allow a mattress to be directly on the floor either. Falls go with the territory unfortunately, my mother took 95 of them herself, between slides off the wheelchair, mattress, toilet, and actual falls from a standing position. She died of nothing fall related at 95.

Here is an example of what I'm talking about on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Universal-Mattress-Perimeter/dp/B00V86G39C

Good luck to you.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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