My LO is still mobile but is not very steady or strong. He has taken several falls, but none in 6+ months. His house is very small so he can make it from point A to B by holding on to furniture or stopping to rest. On the rare occasion he goes outside or leaves home, he uses a cane. He has a rolling walker but doesn't use it and he refuses a rollator with a seat. Most devices aren't practical anyway, due to space limitations.
For those with a LO who is no longer able to move around the home without assistance, I just wondered how that transition played out. Did they eventually become unable to physically get up and get going? Was there a fall incident? How did you or the patient know it was time to stop trying to walk around the home. This is one of my biggest worries with leaving my my LO alone, and also with being able to caregive once they can't ambulate. I wonder how far off this might be. Hopefully years!!
Just a few short years ago we were running around going out to lunch, to garage sales to antique shops. She had a Walker with wheels, it helped her a lot for several years. She actually slowed down going places more to vision loss than mobility issues. She'd go for walks in the neighborhood with her Walker.
Then, her legs started giving out. The biggest issue was not being able to get up after she sat down. We had to pay the Fire Department a few times to get her up. We had Physical Therapy come out to the house 3 times a week to help her with walking, and to practice getting up and down out of a chair/bed/couch.
She had a Lift Chair, but she'd collapse after standing when she got off of it.
Her legs continued to collapse on her unexpectedly. Each time this resulted in another expensive Fire Department call. The price for lift assist had gone up to $175. We continued Physical Therapy visits at home, but she didn't try too hard because she was so afraid of getting stuck not being able to get up and being billed so much money.
Then, it got harder and she couldn't get out of her Lift Chair. She became delirious and I called 911. She went to a Hospital for 3 days, then Rehab for 20 days.
Rehab didn't help. They sent her home unable to walk. We continued Physical Therapy at home for over 2 years off and on. Still cannot walk, I use a Hoyer Lift to put her in a wheelchair when she wants out of bed.
This was over a 3 year period.
enjoy sunday, lavenderbear!!
Just know that falls happen no matter where they are. At home or in a residential facility. You can not prevent all of them but they can be minimized
I have a friend (the parents) recently went through something like that.
The mother accepts that she needs help (by using a walker; sometimes caregivers give a hand)
The father won’t admit he needs help. He falls (luckily no broken bones). He uses a walker, BUT he really should rely more on the help of the caregivers. He tries to do things alone. Falls.
It’s more difficult to deal with someone who won’t admit they need help (father).
The mother recently (short illness) was wheelchair-bound at home— so this is kind of like your question. What to do when you lose mobility?
My friend organized extra caregivers for his parents. Two people were necessary to help change adult diapers, bring to bed, etc.
It cost money.
The situation was temporary. The mother can walk again. Goes to the bathroom with the walker.
If mobility is lost, my friend will again hire more people for his parents.
There’s no way 1 person alone could have helped the mother.
I wish all good for you! For your LO!
Poodle Doodle
PT advised to keep on her feet until she couldn't!
Many years like this. Somehow avoided serious injury. Many have not.
Some become fearful & stop moving. Some accept aides/help & carry on. Some continue to walk & fall (like my LO) - in denial or lack of insight.
2.5 years ago dad had his first big fall and was encouraged to use a rolling frame and aids but didn’t. He did use two sticks but would also furniture surf. My parents refused handrails for those two years too. I would encourage handrails and grab rails. The minute they went in even mum started using them - I use the one of the stairs too.
6 months ago Dad had a couple of falls, went to rehab, started using a walker. February began to forget about the walker in respite. Few more falls due to hypo tension now mobility very very limited.
my dad is also blind through macular degeneration which is another factor too.
good luck with everything