Other times, later in the morning or evening, she'll stand and use her walker for short distances. The bending over at the waist happens when she is getting out of bed, chair, or at the toilet. Started happening two weeks ago. Is this her dementia declining where her brain is no longer telling her legs to move? Any suggestions? My husband and I are now lifting her and that won't last long for our backs. Is a Hoyer or transfer chair next? If so, how do we get her pants off for the toilet?
When discussing this with MD during next evaluation I would ask for a PT consult as they are simply the best diagnosticians for things like this, in my experience.
Toileting her? It wasn't until my Mom went to an AL that I found out that Depends rip down the sides for easy getting off. Plus you can put Depends on without taking off pants. You put the pants down around the ankles. Take one leg of the depends and put it over the foot and bring up the other side of tge Depends and pull it thru the pant leg going across the crotch and down thru the other pant leg and hook to the other ankle. Then you pull up the Depend and the pants at the same time.
You may want to use a commode over the toilet.
Get a portable commode like this one pictured. Medicare will pay for one.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drive-Medical-Folding-Steel-Bedside-Commode-11148-1/203269798
The bar on the back should be removable, take it off. A new commode should come with a bucket and splash guard. Place the commode over the toilet. (You can remove the toilet seat because the commode has one) Place the splash guard where the bucket goes and make sure the bottom goes down inside the toilet bowl a couple of inches. The legs can be adjusted. Now Mom has arms she can lift herself up with and hold herself up with. And will help keep her from falling over. My DD hurt her back bad when she tried to catch my Dad when he was falling off the toilet.
Look into a hospice evaluation for mom now, that's my suggestion. They'll provide in home help for bathing, supplies, a hospital bed, meds and many other services all free and paid for by Medicare.
Best of luck.
Don’t injure your backs .
She may be losing the trunk support that she needs to be able to stand upright.
If you plan on keeping mom at home contact the Hospice of your choice and have her evaluated. If she qualifies for Hospice you will get the equipment that you need to safely care for her.
If she does not qualify the equipment can be rented OR it may be time to discuss placing her in a facility that can safely manage her care.
Perhaps you need to think about when you will reach this point yourselves, and plan for it. That may be a lot more sensible than trying to work out how to get her pants down when she is bending over. It does seem the least of the problems!