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My Mom has vascular dementia and is improving healthwise. She was completely bed-bound for six months last year. She now feeds herself, walks the bathroom, etc. I have a caregiver from 8a-8p. I watch her over night. She has recently started climbing over the hospital bedrails at night. She has several bruises from this. I am thinking about 1) getting a baby monitor with video; 2) getting a bed alarm; or 3) lowering the rails so she won't get hurt. What recommendations do you all have? As always, thanks for your help!

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Get rid of the rails. Lower the bed as much as you can, and place a foam fall mat next to the bed. Consider getting her a Walker.
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Yep, get rid of the rails. Put the mattress directly on the floor. Not only will she have nowhere to fall, she MAY not even be able to get up be herself.

Yes to the bed alarm or perhaps a mat next to the bed that sounds when stepped on. I vote no on the baby monitor. I had one for mom for ten days and returned it. It was too disruptive to my sleep. She carried on conversations with relatives who'd passed on. It was too spooky.

I wish you very good luck. If you can't control this, it's only a matter of time until she breaks a hip or is otherwise seriously injured.

Oh, sounds like she's in a hospital bed? If not, get her doc to prescribe it. Medicare will pay. Raise the head and feet. More than likely she won't be able to get out of bed.
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First, a schedule helps, with less napping after a certain hour, like say, for example after 7 p.m.(however, try not to deprive them of needed sleep). Perform a bedtime ritual at midnight, include any nightime meds then. Take notes when she is awake and tries to get up. Usually around 3 a.m.? Be awake for her then, get uo, and re-perform her bedtime ritual, including a small snack (1/2 snack size applesauce). Make her comfortable, tuck her in, and go back to bed. after reading her to sleep, or putting on some quiet music. Look up bedtime rituals. Then, if this is not helping after a time, the caregivers have given some good advice and warnings. My thinking was if you are going to be awake intermittently through the night and worry, taking control and getting up anyway but on a schedule would help you keep her safe. I like the pressure sensitive pad with an alarm so you know when she is up! Actually read that on aging care.com, as well as the bedtime ritual ideas. All the ideas here are great it is what works for you. Be safe, get some good REM sleep soon.
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Why not make up a bed for her on the floor? Explain it is her bed and much lower so it is safer. Also, get her a walker. You won't stop her getting up in the night, but you can minimise the falls. Also, a baby monitor only interrupt your sleep, not a good idea.
All the best.
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Thanks everyone. She does have a walker, but doesn't use it when she gets up on her own. She is awake from 7am - 10pm, with no naps at all. I am ordering her an alarm mat and will leave the rails down. Good thoughts on the baby monitor. I am sure it would disturb my sleep more than the alarm.
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