Mom was doing well, but confined to a wheelchair and needs assistance with ADLs. Found out her brother was dying and insisted on seeing him. Good visit but next day went into a tailspin and had a hard time standing, talking etc. This has happened before when some big change (moving into AL a year ago or other traumatic life events. She is on hospice. AL aides were lobbying for a Hoyer lift. Hospice brought one in for facility to have in case they need to try it. Now not 24 hours later the facility is demanding it to be used or family has to toilet her or she has to be changed in bed and they can no longer even pivot her into her wheelchair. Help! Please!
I'm not sure I follow what the issue is. Does either she or family have a fear of using the hoyer lifter?
If Mom cannot stand or pivot, then there are 2 options;
1 Lifting machine (ie hoyer lift) used for transfers in/out of bed or chair
2. Remain in bed & be cared for as a bed-bound resident
Option of manual lifting is against any workplace occupational health & safety code. For good reasons: Resident safety + staff safety.
If family choose to manually lift they do so At Their Own Risk. Also being fully liable if they drop or injure Mom. (Eg holding underams can dislocate elderly shoulders).
Have you seen how the hoyer lift works? Maybe seeing it being used will put your mind at ease.
Why not let them use the hoyer ?
Are they not trained properly to use it ?
What is your question ?
Try some video searchs online. Look for a well known hospitals or videos by an Occupational Therapist.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DZlwkx2e-mtI&ved=2ahUKEwiGxNuSsMiGAxXFS2wGHZ0iC_4Qo7QBegQICxAG&usg=AOvVaw11xG4hZ5CfYZzo405go0xN
You said that the assisted living ordered a lift. Did they try it? Why aren’t they using it? Do you have any objections to her being changed in her bed?
I don’t care if your mom is only 95 pounds. That’s still heavy for her to be lifted manually and I doubt that they will do that.
Can you explain this situation further please?
I'm not sure why she's in hospice. Maybe LTC would be more appropriate for her if she isn't actively dying but is now immobile. Medicaid covers LTC if she qualifies for it medically (sounds like she would) and financially (and there may need to be a spend-down period).
There could be no help from a Forum, other than to offer our sympathy to all involved.
You are expecting too much from an AL. They do not have the staff to care for Moms health decline. Assisted living means just that, they assist. Seems Mom may be a 2 person assist now and ALs usually do not allow that. People who are bedridden do not go to ALs. They are not skilled nursing. I have to agree, maybe time for a LTC facility with Hospice.
Do you feel you have better understanding or would like deeper info on any particular area?
I guess my next question would be: What outcome do you want for your Mother?
My mother (95) is in a SNF
and a Hoyer lift is needed in order for her to be moved from bed to wheelchair and back. My mother must now weigh what your mother weighs. Moving my mother cannot be done safely without it and it still takes two people to do the transfer despite weighing less than 100 lbs
As you know I was a caregiver for a long time. I don't like Hoyer lifts. I always refused to use one unless there was assist of another person.
The Get-U-up device that pharmgirl05 talks about are a real game changer.
We tried one for my mother and it was extremely easy to get her from a sitting position on the bed, for example, to a toilet or chair. The Hoyer was much more complicated (straps, etc). Just our experience.