My 97 year old mom who is in assisted living has not been able to get out of bed without help for the past 6+ months. She has dementia. Last night, she got out of bed and walked to her door and opened it. How can this happen? She did this without a walker or wheelchair.
Obviously she has been "able" to get out of bed on her own but hasn't wanted to or felt like it. After being like this for 6 months I'm wondering why she hasn't been recommended for LTC?
This past December my 101-yr old Aunt with advanced dementia wiggled past the barriers around her bed (in her home) and attempted to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night. She fell on the carpeted floor and broke her hip. This is a woman who wasn't mobile without a support belt and someone holding her up and walking with her. While in rehab she passed away, we're not sure exactly why but something related to the fall and her rapid decline afterwards.
As her PoA I was in the midst of finding permanent facility placement for her since I knew it was likely she would do this again, but wasn't sure how any one or any facility -- without "restraining" her -- would be able to keep her from getting up to walk.
If I were you I'd have a discussion with her doctor about LTC where at least they can put her mattress on the floor and have more eyes on her. Also, most states' Medicaid programs will only cover LTC. Just a thought.
I so agree with Geaton. Now that this HAS happened the question is how to keep her safe, as her muscles and tendons are bound to have weakened considerably from having been so long on bedrest.
I sure do wish you luck. I wonder if her doc would consider any visiting PT work to try to strengthen her, or if this is just a one-off and I bet you are wondering as well.
Sure wish you good luck.
If her PCP hasn't suggested hospice, why not? Hospice has bolster pillow devices they can install on her bed which sort of cup her body making it 3x harder for her to get up unassisted. They have tricks and tools up their sleeves nobody would think of. Hospice is not just about comfort care via meds, but about safety and comfort in general.
Also, with dementia at play, why isn't mom in Memory Care Assisted Living where the care is more comprehensive? That's another thing to consider.
Best of luck.
As said, no matter where Mom is placed, she will fall. No facility can watche 1 person 24/7. My daughter was taking care of a resident in a wheelchair. She turned for a second, in that second the person stood up and fell. As my daughter says "falls happen".