Follow
Share

My sister has a need for someone to help her when my brother-in-law falls in their apartment. He is on chemotherapy and is very weak. He doesn’t need to go to the emergency room, nor does he need assisted living, or even regular part-time home nursing care. We just need to be able to call someone to help when he has weakness and falling. He is under the care of a palliative care group and an oncologist so that is not the issue. We just need help every once in a while to help him to his chair. Thank you for suggestions.
Barb

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
I am so grateful for all the help and suggestions. We are much further along with finding workable solutions than we were 24 hours ago! Thank you!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

The fire department will come help get him up. We did that for my mother. They did tell us to call 911 and tell them it was a non-emergency call and 911 would contact them to come. You may want to call them ahead of time and see how they prefer you handle it for the next time he falls.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Barbrarian Mar 2020
Thank you very much. We talked to our palliative care nurse this morning and she said to do what you suggest above. I really like your suggestion on calling them ahead of time to be sure of their preference.
(0)
Report
Is he using a walker? There are Rollators that have seats. He can be pushed to where he needs to go and then transferred to a chair. I agree that calling the fore department everytime is not the solution.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
Barbrarian Mar 2020
We are talking with someone now who is installing toilet side handles so he doesn’t fall again in the bathroom, and we are asking about a walker. This is a learning curve for sure.
(0)
Report
See 1 more reply
Get a call button such as Life Alert that she can wear. It will detect the fall and they will contact help from EMTs when needed. The fire department will handle all falls. They do a great job. Install a lockbox outside your home. You key in a code. They use the code to enter the home.

Best wishes to you and your family.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Barbrarian Mar 2020
A box and key code is an excellent idea too. Thank you.
(0)
Report
Barb, I am sorry for your brother-in-law's illness. Have they tried calling the non-emergency police or fire department phone number in their area and asking for lift assistance?

This isn't a perfect solution. My cousin mentioned to me a few months ago that their local fire department advised her that they shouldn't keep calling them to come out to help lift her parent from the floor. (Apparently they had called several times within the last few months.) And certainly, the fire department isn't really set up to do this and needs to be ready to respond to emergencies. But perhaps it could be a stop-gap for awhile.

I hope others have ideas as well. Best wishes to your family.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter