My mother-in-law has advanced dementia later stages she’s 89. She’s been falling a lot and it’s harder to keep her safe. She feels the need to get up out of bed and try to walk without assistance. Today she fell while I was in the bathroom and just like that she went down in a blink of an eye. We have a caregiver Matt that alerts me when she gets up out of bed, but sometimes she moves so fast that I can’t get there quick enough. She can walk with assistance about 20 steps from her room to the living room. We have a wheelchair and a seat walker as well but there’s something that just drives her to get up. I know the bedridden stage is not too far off and it scares me because I don’t know what to expect. Is there any advice someone can give me on her falls keeping her safe and what to expect on the next stage because she’s definitely in the later stages. Thank you I appreciate it.
Why isn't the aid helping?
Before she passed I was struggling with the decision for her future care. Although 100 she was still a tall woman and in good health, weighed 125 lbs. and her nieces who cared for her were all older women, and one had a disabled arm. I knew if I put my Aunt in MC she'd just continue to get up and fall and eventually become totally bedridden, maybe. There is a participant on this forum whose Mom fell dozens of times in MC over the course of several years. They cannot legally be restrained, except in certain situations but facilities don't want to get bogged down in regulations and possible penalties so they mostly don't ever do it.
Many on this forum feel that once an elder starts falling, this will usher in their end sooner. It certainly was true in my Aunt's case (she had 3 falls prior that resulted in broken bones until her hip broke).
"...there’s something that just drives her to get up" This is the dementia. No more reason or logic, plus memory impairment. No more learning or remembering to not do something dangerous. I don't have any magical tips for you except that you now need an aid who is certified for fall risk clients. Matt is mostly not going to be helpful if he's just going to shout for you to come running. Spend the money on a higher level of aid. It will be worth it.
I wish you wisdom and peace in your heart as you help her through this journey.
Also the bed should be as close to the floor as possible.
He can assist her. Have a walker nearby so that he can direct her to use it. If he can not do that he should try to distract and redirect her so that she does not get up before you can get to her.
If her bed is a Hospital bed lower it all the way down. This makes it more difficult to get out of bed. Also put a mattress on the floor next to the bed so if she does get out of bed she will land on the mattress.
There is nothing that "drives her" to get up....she has dementia and does not remember that she needs assistance.
I should add.. when mom falls call 911 or the non emergency number and ask for a "LIFT ASSIST"
They are trained to help someone up. You don't want to get hurt trying to help her up and you don't want her getting hurt.
There generally is no cost unless there is transport to the hospital.