My 97 year old mother had a stroke and now has left side neglect. She needed to leave her apartment and move to a nursing home. In the past 6 months she has fallen and injured herself 10 times that I know of. Her request for railings around her bed, a Geri chair, or any other safeguard have been denied since restraints of any kind are forbidden. Isn’t this a ludicrous interpretation of the danger of restraints? My mother will definitely fall again and injure herself again.
Falls continued but not out of bed- most of which resulted in bruises and scrapes (I was beginning to think his bones were made of rubber.) Many of the early falls in AL were because he wasn't using his walker. Later before moving to SNF on hospice he was weaker and while using the power chair to get up he'd just slide on down to the floor. One time when discharged from the hospital he fell twice within 24 hours - 1st shortly after being admitted and the following morning.
After he was admitted to SNF I swear he fell at least once a week and early morning or late evening phone calls would leave me cringing while I answered the phone. Yes that power recliner. While alone in his room he engage the power to move and - you got it - down he'd slide. I asked why they just couldn't unplug it - and yup - that was restraint. The state would get after them for restraining the residents and would get after them for the falls. HOWEVER, at some point the staff moved his chair to the common area - get him comfortable in it, unplug it, then when they saw him try and climb out of it would go plug it in and move him to his wheel chair. The Monday of the week he died, the hospice nurse called me saying dad was still doing well and was still feisty and trying to climb out of his wheelchair - he died peacefully the following Wednesday.
The hospice provided his bed at SNF and wheelchair - it wasn't the tilt chair just a regular wheelchair. There was a rubber mat next to his bed - he never fell out of bed - he'd fall getting up out of bed.
Best of luck - and continue to try and work with the administration to prevent your LO's falls.
Railings are actually dangerous because they can get their leg or arm caught in it and fall out that way. In a nursing home, those are considered restraints and against Federal standards (Medicare/Medicaid).
What helped my mom a lot was a fall mat and put it near the bed. It will cushion her fall and prevent catastrophic event. Also get a FLOOR alarm. and put that on top of the fall mat. As soon as her feet go on the floor alarm, it will sound off an alarm. You can buy both of those things on Amazon. Those saved my mom from falls multiple times. *Most falls occur while getting out of bed*.
She will require 24/7 supervision. You cannot ever leave her alone. Even then they can fall. It happens too fast. Still if she is ever alone that is extremely dangerous. I mean every second. When she goes to the bathroom, someone needs to be with her. I do mean every moment of the day.
Sounds like your mom would be better off living in her own place with Caregiver help.
Sad how most of the Senior Homes don't take could care of loved one and that's why if they're any other solutions, you should take them.
Senforcement Homes are understaffed, cold and not very loving.
If a Senior hives any kind of problem to them the Senior is medicated and live out the rest of their life in this environment if you want to call it a life. So very sad.
Prayers.
Mama and I both asked for the rails, and "they" kept putting us off until I mentioned the word "litigation," after which the staff quickly ordered an evaluation of her physical status and finally approved her for bed rails.
Get on their case, and stay there until your mother gets what she needs. The guidance on restraints is in place to prevent unnecessary or abusive use of them. If a resident specifically requests them for her own safety, the issue is moot.
Speak to Manager about different prevention strategies. Staff will need to document these, implement the strategies, review the effectiveness & ideally, keep you updated.
The aim won't be to restrain, the aim will be *reduce risk of falls*. (Reducing all falls is unfortunately not always possible).
A wheelchair that leans back is called 'tilt in space' by OTs. It is not used as a restraint, but for people who lack trunk control to sit upright. A PT or OT could make a recomendation for one.
A floor lowered bed may also be recommended. This also is not used as a restraint, but to increase safety.
Just small matters, these 'labels' but if you ask "how do I restrain her?" you will get no-where. If you ask "How can we improve her safety?" hopefully you might. I hope you can. It's very sad to see frail elderly having multiple falls.
Talk to the Social Worker. See if there is something that can be ordered. And if Medicare will pay for it or partial.