My dad and step-mother live alone in their house like an hour away from me and my family. Well, my step-mother is like 15 years older than my dad so she is facing all sorts of problems before he is and he is left to take care of her. She keeps falling because she tries to stand up when no one is around her and she isn't stable enough! Today my dad called to tell me that at 3 am, his water turned off and he told her to stay put while he went outside to see what the problem was. He came inside and she was standing up wobbling around and she fell over before he could get to her. She fell so hard it busted a blood vessel and got blood all over and he had to rush her to the ER! She is fine, but she falls at least once a month. She has broken hips, arms and legs. It's getting a little over the top and I'm not sure what to do. My dad won't put her in a nursing home because he is embarrassed that she is so much older than him.She told him that she doesn't remember standing up, but I'm not sure if I believe that. Do you think she is deliberately trying to fall to kill herself or something? They are coming to my house for my birthday tomorrow night and I feel like having a talk with her about it. She needs to quit standing when she knows she is going to fall. I just want to yell at her! What should I do?
2nd, you could invest in a wheelchair...and make a ramp, he should take her with him where ever he goes...wherever...Walker, where is the walker?
3rd...where are YOU. Get over there and spend hours and hours and hours there. Help do those chores...so your father does not have to. If there is another set of eyes and most important HANDs to help her when she wants to get up. Spend hours and hours and hours there...so she's is not YOUR mother...your FATHER is caregiver and needs the help. Remember, you are now not just helping the old gal, you are helping directly your father.
Before leaving the room, put a wall of chairs lining the pathway to wherever...if she starts to fall, she has something to grab on to. Put in railings.
Check her meds. Look up the Beers Criteria to see what meds are causing dizziness or sleepiness. My mother had SIX at once that caused these Sx...what are the chances she'd feel out of it? At older ages, the meds should be cut way down because the liver and/or kidneys cannot clear them from the body at the same rate as a younger person. so doses should be downed probably...and some meds eliminated or replaced by "fast acting" ones instead of steady release ones.
Those are just some of the suggestions...but get over there and help. Don't just bring your good ideas. I am tired of good idea bringers and brochure delivery persons..."Here, Dad, you could try this...ok?" You get in there in person and help that gal with her exercises, grab all her meds and look them up so your dad doesn't have to. He must be EXHAUSTED. My mom went through this phase..strong enough to be a danger to herself..sure nuf...we had ten months of insanity and complications...from her not using her walker.
I made cute signs using photographs of grandkids. "We Love you Grandma, so be sure to use you WALKER!" Be creative.