Follow
Share

Floor Mat safety? He said "not to make a big deal, don't tell anyone he will just get one of those mats like at the nursing home by the beds". He said he was asleep and rolled out of the bed ..again. Again? I didn't know about the times before! He said it was before I stayed nights.

So, if he gets a pad for the floor, what about when he gets up on and off at night to go to the restroom? Will he trip getting that little step or slip?

Thank you in advance everyone ( I am soooo tired that I accidentally called someone out of town when I was trying to call a 800 number to check something for myself, ( not to do with grandpa)!!! I feel sooo bad!

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing

22 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
ohdear, your welcome and thank you :)

Kedwards460, thank you for sharing, this is something I can watch for with him. Im glad your mom overall had no trouble for such a long time, that's wonderful! Im also glad your mom is ok and not hurt.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
My mom had what I refer to as a slippage. She has a bed rail but she rolled over and got caught between the bed and the rail. Her feet were on the floor and was in the letter c position. Luckily she was fine. I got her gently onto floor but since she is so weak I had to call fire dept came and they cameand did an assist and lift when it was determined she had no injuries. She's had that bed rail for 4 years and last Sunday was t first time she had a slippage.
A
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Thanks for your kind words. I love what I do. You and your granddad take care.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Thank you so much for all your advice ohdear! He has has mobility problems since about a year before he went blind. (9 years now) but of course it has now gotten worse. He use to go out, listen to the news and his talking books but he hasnt want to in the last year or so. Well, he does still like to go grocery shopping tho!

I agree with you, to keep him doing his leg exercises. And great idea on the bell and baby monitor. Sometimes I'm outside his house and I cant hear him, so I will get one. The pool I mentioned to him and he said no because he wouldn't know where he is at, his legs are too weak to even try and he would slip. He refuses an adult care center because of him being blind. I am his main caregiver ( he has another one a couple times a week who's suppose to stay 3 hrs each time. She doesnt take him anywhere. You have great ideas thank you :)

Im glad your still enjoying your job and benefiting physically from it! You shouldn't retire if you are doing what you love and can keep doing it :) No meds and only exercise is wonderful! Im glad your keeping active, I need to start being active myself.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
Me1000, a lot of elders refuse to accept their newly imposed physical limitations. As a result of continuing to do the things they can no longer do they set themselves up for falls that can result in some serious injuries. If he is not cooperating with you, try the following.I am actually a senior myself actually still going strong fortunately. I work in a nursing home
which we usually call a long term care facility because it is for any aged adult who requires medical care that cannot be provided for in a non medical setting. We use bed and/ or chair
alarms that have audible alarms that go off when somone gets up for our high risk fallers. Also why is your loved one getting up ? If it is to use the bathroom than put him on a schedule where you ask him every 2 hours if he needs to go. This way you are there to assist him more. You can also become more aware of his toileting patterns and be there to help him to the bathroom. Give him a handheld bell to ring if you are not around or use a baby monitor so you can both hear him and he can call you in the middle of the night. Keep the bed alarm in place at night also. Do activities with him during the day. Mobility is important. Help him to stand in place and ambulate him during the day also. Make sure he is not bored.Does he have activities to do ? I know he is blind but if you are cooking let him mix the cake batter,fold things like clean towels. Empty out the dryer in the clothes basket. Bet you'll think of more things. Get talking books so he can keep up with his reading. Most men like sports sYo tune them in on the radio for him. Find those talk shows on radio or podcasts on the internet. There are so many of them. Try adult day care one or two days a week at first or have your home health aide accompany him to a senior center so he can socialize and do activities with them. The aide stays with him to help him to the bathroom. He may need a wheelchair for this type of outing. If he does not have dementia you may find lots he can participate in. Call also your local services for the blind to see what they have for blind seniors . Google services for blind seniors and see what you come up with on your county, state and federal level. Send him to college. Do you have one in your ares that allows seniors to audit classes for free or very low cost ? There is bound to be a subject he is interested in. Boredom tears you down fast physically and mentally. As a senior the MD says I have arthritis. I take nothing for it. My job keeps my bones in better shape than meds do. I have a lot of upper body strength from turning and lifting people. My legs are well conditioned from walking up and down the unit. My job is my gym.On my own I love to walk and to me to walk a mile or two is like a short walk. Next year will be 63 no plans to retire. Whatever your level is use it or lose it. Your grandfather has yet a lot of good times ahead.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
It is important than he does the exercises to help maintain his best level. Hope he is using those techniques also.Is there a
pool he can make use of ? Swimming is a great way to stay in shape. Even being in the water has it's benefits. You should check with his doctor first to make sure it is okay for his medical condition to do this type of activity.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
ohdear, I agree he's at higher risk. He has extremely bad legs ( week and painful) as well as many other issues. This time he rolled out of bed while he was asleep, he wasn't trying to get up. But yes, there were times he was trying to get to the bathroom in the past. His legs give out on him. The house is one level and he uses a walker at all times.

Hes had physical therapists and they gave him all the techniques and such to use. They finished last month. I do stay with him all night plus Im down there off and on all day to help. He does have a urinal and he uses it a little more often now. Its not always at night that he falls, its during the day as well. Im unsure if they can do anything more for his legs, I think at this point he is going to lose the ability to walk. Thank you for suggestions, and I will talk with him again.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
Blind and with mobility issues means he is at a high risk for falling! It is important to know what are the factors that have contributed to these falls and mitigate them as much as possible. Where did he fall ? If he fell enroute to the bathroom away from the bed then I would wander if the floor was wet at any spot causing him to slip. Was he wearing proper footware ? Is he suppose to use a cane or walker or wheelchair ? A Physical therapists could evaluate him to determine what is best for him. Also they could work on gait strengthening exercises to help him be more stronger and safer for walking. Maybe he needs care at night, someone who can assit him at night to the bathroom. How about using a bedside commode at night and /or a urinal. Try to help him understand walking to the bathroom at night is not in his best interest.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Abagail- the bed is a full sized bed. He said he rolled out of bed and he wasn't getting out this time. But yes, he has fallen walking around the house as well. Ill talk to him about the bedside potty, he doesnt like them but he wont have a choice soon! Also, he does have a bathroom in his room.

Moms66angel- Im glad your mom is using it and its helping her! I think your right, once he uses it, he will like it.

lilgecko29- your right and I mentioned to him what you said. He says hes fine but I told him he WILL call his Dr period and get checked! He agreed! You make a good point about them being able to do it in the hospital so they can do it at home! I told him Im putting my foot down and he has no choice to do what I say/ Drs say...now if he wants to stay out of the NH!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
I learned from caretaking that falls may not show any injuries on the outside but can do a lot more damage on the inside. Elderly are more than often embarrassed of the incident just like we would be, but being older they are more frail, thinner skin and head injuries can cause future problems(blood clots and tia attacks), twisted knees and arms can lead to issues in the future also.(walking,standing). I have also been asked many times to not say anything but when this is repeated like he said, again, u may not know what damage mmay have already been done. If he seems ok, I would let it be and inform his PCP next visit but also having dealt with stubborn patients that don't want bedrails, I learned that they will do it if they were in the hospital so they should be able to do it at home for future prevention. Look into different ways to help him lkeep his independence but also be safe, he will have to accept that he needs these precautions because u love him and want him around without something harder to take care of if something were to happen.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
That's just what happened to my mother. She fell out of bed, but it was morning and she couldn't hide it. I ordered a bed rail, and she loves it. She still walks to the bathroom down the hall, but the rail helps her out of bed and to get back into bed. It's about 1/3 the length of the bed, and she's so glad I ordered it. He may love it as well once he's used it.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Side rail for the bed is a good idea - is it a twin size bed and is it just too narrow for when he rolls - or is he getting out of bed to go to the bathroom. So many things to evaluate. Maybe a bedside commode in the room would be more accessible / easy to use than a urinal.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
Thank you everyone! I never planned to keep it a secret, I told him, he at least has to tell his Dr and he agreed. Im trying to get him seen sooner then his reg scheduled appt.

blannie- thank you for the link, Im copying everything down so I know what to ask the Dr for and buy at the Medical store! Im glad its helping your mom. It seems more stable then him trying to rely on the walker to pull himself up!

lsmiami-you must know my grandfather! Yes, I plan on it!

bls0901- thats a great idea to put a recliner in his room so he has the option to sit in his room instead having to go to the living room! Ill bring that up :) Im glad you were able to find one for your mom. Good idea about being able to "hide" the bed rail.

WTDAM1stbook- I agree with you. I never intended on not telling his Dr, and your right, he needs to get checked now to see whats going on before he gets bed ridden. He is headed in that direction.

tiny450- very true! And he still wants to be independent but I told him he needs to get more help/ or medical items to help him. I will keep an eye out for him crawling over it, thats a very good point and I would of never thought of it!

Sodonewithsal1- No worries, your not being insulting but you bring up a good point for others who might have that problem. No, he doesn't drink, he hasn't in years because of him being blind, and can barely walk, plus the meds he is on. The bed rail is a good point. I hope your MIL boyfriend quits his drinking! For them to tell her that is straight to the point but true. Ill keep you all in my thoughts :)

FriendlyBedGuy- Your right, it makes it harder for the elderly incl my grandpa, and with him being blind and legs that are getting weaker, its a bad mix. We do not have many items made in the U.S. any more, it is sad. Good point about planning for the future needs. I looked up super poles and friendly beds, thank you!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
Good luck- unfortunately the bed area can be the worst spots for falls. Let's see- heavy medications, getting up from bed when you are sleepy and in the dark, and you are at high risk anyway without something new to trip on. There are products that can help avoid that bad crash but be careful of the flimsy items from overseas. Also plan for future needs not what he needs today. SuperPoles are good and Friendly Beds is a system of heavy duty rails, trapeze, and balance pole. What's funny- companion care companies are springing up like dandelions in the spring but there is resistance (and even embarrassment as mentioned above) to getting products that could be critical to keeping a person safe. Also don't forget the caregiver safety which can be just as important.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Please don't think I'm trying to be insulting, but does grandpa drink alcohol? I'm asking because my MIL's live-in boyfriend, who is 90, drinks like a fish and falls out of bed all the time. When that happens, he just sleeps on the floor, and MIL makes herself a pallet next to him because she's too embarrassed to call the first aid squad. The last time she called, one of the EMTs told her he could smell the alcohol fumes from three feet away, and that maybe boyfriend shouldn't get so snockered that he falls out of bed.

Harsh, I know, but realistic.

Even if your grandfather isn't abusing alcohol, you should tell his doctor that he's falling. And definitely look into getting one of those nifty bed rail-handles to keep him safe.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
Probably,more than likely does not want anyone to know out of embarrassment.The elderly tend to "not want a fuss made"..but a fuss needs to be made.You don't want any broken bones nor tripping.perhaps you can get rails or there are extremely flat mats (yoga mats)you can flatten the sides with duct tape if needed..rails are great but I have known patients to crawl over them and they do fall and break bones..professional intervention is needed...as people age they tend to forget their limitations..us young folk are needed to protect them..not demean them just protect them....good luck and bless you
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Keeping secrets only causes problems to escalate. Share the problem with a professional. Mitigate the danger. Avoid or delay future difficulties.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
I bought an electric recliner off of a online classified list for my mother's bedroom so that if she woke in the middle of the night she could stay in her room. We also had a rail that could be folded down and be hidden during the day under the bed quilt.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
If he pushes back on the rail, tell him you will keep the secret if he accepts the rail....blackmail him nicely.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report
I got a bed rail for my dad after his stroke that is really more of an assist to someone getting out of bed. It's like a big handle. It doesn't run the length of the bed, but offers enough of a barrier that it would be hard to roll out of bed with it in place. There's a flat board attached that sits under the mattress to hold it in place.

My mom commented today that she loves holding on to it when she gets out of bed since she's getting so frail. Here's a description of something similar if you want to see what I'm talking about. Look for 'Adjustable Height Home Bed Assist Handle rtl15063-adj'.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
That is what I was worried about... him tripping. Rails are a good idea, Ill talk to him, but he gets up and down and sits in the living room a lot during the night because he goes to bed so early. He does have a urinal by his bed but he has yet to use that one. He uses the urinal in the living room at times tho.

I plan on telling them. They know about his previous falls, and told him he would need someone more if he keeps falling. I think that's why he doesn't want to tell anyone, he doesn't want more care? He sends his care now home two hours early! Then I need to go in and fill in if he needs me! Half the reason she is there beside cooking, light housework is company! Well, on that note.. lets see what the Dr says about all this. I agree! Thank you once again :)
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
He will likely trip over a soft pad. Can you get some rails on the side? Would he use a urinal at night? You should tell his nurse or MD about this, I know he is embarrassed, but safety comes first.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

Recent Questions


Popular Questions


Related Questions

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter