If my sig other is at work and my Dad should fall, I will be calling 911. There is no way that I could safely pick Dad up without causing damage to my own self. I have a limit of 20 pounds, and when a person falls they are dead weight. I just wish my parents weren't in denial about this... [sigh].
FF, your parents can only be in denial as long as you keep showing up. I suggest you take a two week holiday. (You can stay at home. Just the parental that you are not avsilable, doctor's orders). I imagine that they will see their independence is a myth.
BoniChak- did you ever get the Elk/Camel inflatable chair? How did it work out for you? Good point was made for the videos on you-tube- lots of good stuff there because you can usually see demos on mobility/fall issues- even bed mobility.
Gosh I am so glad my parents haven't gotten to falling, tbis doesn't sound like any fun at all! I would just call 911 and hope that since we've never called previously, they wouldn't mind coming out.
Will be able to offer a report on the Camel chair soon- one of my customers just purchased one (for the husband with MS) and promised she will get back to me with comments once she has some experience with it. She said it was about $3000 and she got it from the US distributor.
Dad starting to "forget?" how to get out of bed. Says "I'm uncoordinated"..He had been rolling to side, put one foot then other on floor,then push up with arms to sit up.. Then rests. Then stands up. Lately starts to roll over from middle of double bed so ;not close enougth to edge of bed to put foot down. Syatyd to put ifrst foot down, but rolls back over the other way. Trying to coach him thru the steps one at a time but doesn't weem to listen or understand. Sib suggest bear hug {?) but home care person told me do not lift or pull in any way. Hope agency caregiver can show us next week. Any ideas?
Don't get hurt would be my first piece of advice. If dementia isn't horrible would he be able to "help himself" if he had proper assistive devices to grab? Any assistance he can offer in moving himself is better for him and lessens the chance of you and other caregivers getting hurt. Always glad to offer suggestions although in some cases dementia can be so bad any product can be too confusing. Towards the end my father would yell down the hall for help because he couldn't understand the call button clipped to the front of his shirt. Dementia sucks- best wishes to you and your father. .
I used to call the EMTs (the fire department) for my mom but she fell so regularly that I could tell that they were finding it too much. I'd say that she doesn't need the full brigade, she just needs to get up, but that's not how they operate. Her weekly (or more) falls were the deciding factor in her going into the same nursing home where my dad lived.
I jokinging have said that every city needs a person who will simply go and help pick up people who have fallen and can't get up with the help of the caregiver. This really isn't so far fetched but it's unlikely to happen if only for liability reasons.
Good luck with our present problems. It's a big issue for caregivers. Carol
TO help prevent a fall.............I have a transfer belt for my husband who has FTD (Frontal temporal dementia). I bought it from AMAZON and it has loops on it, is like a belt and goes around the waist. I does help to handle him when walking. Is something to help grab on to him if he falls too. I have found when he is a little unsteady if I hold on to his hands and I walk backwards, he does better. He has a contractured left hand and arm so he can not use a walker. I do try to raise him to a chair like mentioned earlier. Have one available if he wants to sit. Also his male caregiver has put his knee behind him by his rear if he is trying to sit when walking and use his knee as a "chair" for a min. then he gets up and walks again. We have discovered you have to be prepared for anything and be creative. If he falls in a sm room(bathroom) you can get him on a blanket, sheet and pull to another area to get up. This has worked for me. My neighbors will assist to get him up or I would have to call EMS. Be careful of your back.
The come out, check the vital signs and make sure there isn't a medical emergency to deal with, and help put the parent back to bed.
I've only had to do this twice. Once Dad was taken to the hospital just to be sure as he seems like his hip would not work at all.
They have no charge for this service.
I jokinging have said that every city needs a person who will simply go and help pick up people who have fallen and can't get up with the help of the caregiver. This really isn't so far fetched but it's unlikely to happen if only for liability reasons.
Good luck with our present problems. It's a big issue for caregivers.
Carol