My grandma has dementia. I know it's going to get worse but right now we are pretty blessed as most of the time she remembers our names, to bring her walker with her and a bit about her daily schedule. The problem we are having is teaching her to ask for help. We sit with her all day only leaving the room for moments while bringing a video monitor with us. She can get up from the chair by herself and will often remember her walker but she gets confused as to where she is going, will stop and pick up various items from the floor like fuzz, paper, etc, and will get dizzy spells. Because of these reasons we do not wish her to walk by herself (plus she fell while walking by herself to the bathroom two months ago which is how she broke her neck and pelvic bone). We have repeated to her over and over again about asking for help to get up. We have done bed alarms, video monitors, and even notes to remind her but nothing seems to stop it from happening. Is there any techniques people use to help loved ones remember to ask for help? At night she stares in our direction not asking and if we don't respond she will get up on her own. During the day she won't even give us the benefit of a staring contest. She will just get up and then stand there getting tired not knowing which way to go. I'm so worried she's going to get hurt doing this...Help please!
As for help, my mom and I have been taking turns. During the day we do have a caregiver that comes for a few hours in the morning (I'm usually at work at this point which is why they came since before this point my mom worked). Then in the afternoon she's with us in our main living room so if I'm home, my mom and I take turns making sure she goes to the bathroom, helping her then making sure she makes it back. (she gets confused as to where to go sometimes). So I definitely have help and my mom is home all the time although she's hoping that while the caregivers are here in the morning, she can return to working 15 hours a week at home now. (it's on a trial basis). There's a lot going on in my house right now. My grandma is there and my mom who is recovering from the removal of her right hand side upper jaw after dealing with cancer, is there too helping me care for grandma. Right now she cannot drive so I'm balancing working, caring for my grandma and driving both to their appointments but somehow we are making it work.
I found that notes, reminders, begging, etc. did no good. She simply was not able to remember or even read a note that told her to not walk alone. It was a waste of breath and it made her feel like she was doing something wrong. She simply could not do better. It was her being uncooperative. She just wasn't able to remember things. I'm not sure what the answer is.
Even if her legs are strong, poor balance can cause a fall quite easily. I would witness my loved one walk around her walker and almost go over backwards due to poor balance. (She has dementia.)
The only thing I can think of is to watch her constantly and stand by her for support when she stops and tries to bend over.
Perhaps others here have some helpful tips. Perhaps there are devices that will keep her standing upright in the walker. There are also walkers that roll and have a seat on them, but that might not help her if she bent over near it.
This is quite a challenge. I wish you all the best.