Follow
Share

My husband (77) has been struggling with orthostatic hypotension. For 6 months now, he has been falling (at least 17 times). He has been hospitalized, placed in assisted living for physical therapy, and now has PT coming in a couple days a week for home healthcare.


In the last three days he has fallen and struck his head three times. I took him to the ER yesterday for fall #15. He was released with a change in his blood pressure medicine.


I know that placing him in assisted living is not going to prevent falls. I’m really at a loss as how to best care for him.

Find Care & Housing
Why is he on bp meds designed to lower blood pressure overall when he cannot sustain enough blood pressure to stand? What does the doctor say about a trial period where he is off these meds?
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to PeggySue2020
Report
funkygrandma59 Jul 4, 2025
I agree PeggySue, that his falling very well could be caused by his BP medicine making his BP too low. That is very dangerous and needs to be discussed with his doctors.
(6)
Report
This is a medical issue that requires discussion with the doctor. All seniors can/will/DO fall. Eventually that's just a fact. Balance becomes poor and we don't readily or easily catch ourselves after a trip. You will want advice also on how to deal with orthostatic hypotension.

See the MD. That's about the best you can do and hope there's some relief. I would want a good thorough neuro-pysch examine also to rule out any issues such as Parkinson's and so on. Good luck.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

In the meanwhile, until his meds are sorted out, hubs should stay in a wheelchair, imo.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

Hi, I’m sorry you’re going through this, your poor husband.

Please consider a good walker or a wheelchair in the house for him. If he is sitting in a wheelchair, chances are falls are not going to happen very often.
You might also consider an electric lift chair to help him get off the floor when he falls. They range from about $300-$400. I looked into this for my mother and Medicare does not pay for this. So it would be out-of-pocket.

I’m sure you’re exhausted from caring for him and you might think about putting him in assisted living for some respite care for yourself and while he’s there, think about him either staying there permanently or you can bring him home. I believe Medicare will pay for some respite care. I’m not sure if they will pay the full amount or if it’s 80%.
Please also make sure you are his power of attorney and get that done right away as well as making sure you have a Trust in place. Also make sure your name is on all bank accounts and investment accounts. Do this before your husband may get dementia down the road.
It’s not a bad idea to see an elder attorney who has good legal advice. They may also be under the name of family law.

Take care and I hope this helps,

Kat
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to KatTorrecillas
Report
JuliaH Jul 10, 2025
I'd like to add that thrift stores get medical aids donated all the time! A good lift chair $100 or less. Walkers $30 or less. Canes,chairs for bathing in the shower anything and everything at low cost. I've even bought support socks for myself for about $3-$10!
(2)
Report
See 1 more reply
My dad was falling all the time with his Walker and blood pressure going too low (always had high blood pressure). He was drinking about 36 ounces of fluid a day but turns out he was dehydrated. He now drink the 36 ounces of water and 2 12 ounce Gatorade zeros
a day . Has not fallen since.Just FYI
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to macone
Report

Assisted Living is not going to prevent falls. A skilled nursing facility would be better equipped to manage this. Although someone can't watch him every minute, there is always staff nearby to help him with mobility, and to help him if he falls again. They will have precautions in place, such as lowering his bed to the ground, insisting on using a wheelchair or a walker, handrails on all the walls, and a call button next to the toilet.

You can not manage this at home. Find a skilled nursing facility which offers physical therapy. It won't be high level PT, but it could help him to maintain his strength and mobility to some degree.

Actually, you could manage this at home, but you MUST insist that he use a mobility device. If he is too weak or unsteady to use a walker, then get him a wheelchair, or even a motorized scooter. He should NOT be attempting to walk at all!
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to CaringWifeAZ
Report

I am sorry about your husband. Your husband will have less falls in a personal care home. Unfortunately, he will be kept in a wheelchair because it's safer.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Onlychild2024
Report
Patathome01 Jul 10, 2025
A wheelchair will help prevent falls. However, PT will help him get more active than sitting all day. That's how people are intended to be. UP AND ACTIVE.
(2)
Report
Terry0307: Pose your concerns to his physician.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

The other option is what we're doing with my parents and that's having private caregivers come to the house. It is expensive, and unless you have long-term care insurance, you're out of pocket. They hover over your parents 24 hours a day if need be. It allows them to stay at home and do their normal activities in a familiar place while getting all the assisted daily living needs they require. Caregivers are generally not nurses, however, so if they need oxygen, catheters inserted or removed, IVs, you'd have to hire an actual nurse. Caregivers can empty catheters, bath, dress, prepare food, feed, move them from chairs and beds, socialize and chat with your parents and do some light cleaning, etc. They're great!
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to trishbraun6
Report

Wait until he has been on the new blood pressure medications for at least a month. The reason he falls is that he probably gets up too fast and his current medications do not allow his heart to adjust blood pressure to keep adequate circulation to the brain. Ask him to slow down when sitting up or standing. Ask him to hold onto a table or chair until the woozy feeling goes away.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Taarna
Report

See All Answers
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter