Fancicoffee7 Asked May 2014
My husband fell early this morning. What will happen when he can no longer depend on his legs?
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This has happened on previous occasions. and he is 83 and I know his legs are weak. So, I am wondering what is going to happen when he no longer can depend on his legs anymore. Is he bedridden, wheelchair bound, do we need to rely on assisted living? All those questions come up. So, if anyone can help me with this line of thinking I would greatly appreciate it. He was ok after the fall. He was able to get up. Nothing got anything but bruises-arm and hand.
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PT works wonders.
Once he can no longer use his legs, he will probably spend his days in a wheelchair. Mother could not use her arms to move a wheelchair because they are so heavy. We used what they call a transporter chair. Lightweight and easy to get in and out of the car.
To me, moving to nursing home/assisted living (whatever), comes when the care your love one needs can no longer be provided at home.
Best of luck!
I notice that with my significant other who wear bifocals, he occasionally is stepping on a cat toy he didn't see on the rug.
Also ask his therapist what exercises he can do at home. He'll need to work on leg and arm strengthening - legs for the obvious reason and arms to assist him in safely lifting himself from a seated position.
In the house, clear out fall and trip hazards - throw rugs, "stuff" along the walking paths, etc. Add grab bars in areas where there aren't hand holds such as furniture that he can grab or sit in if he loses his balance.
Add grab bars outside the entrance doors as well. If you don't have rails, and can afford to add them to exit paths and steps, do so.
My father uses a small cycle, similar to the ones used in rehab facilities. It's like a bicycle but only has the pedal part. He exercises to strengthen his legs while sitting in a chair.
If you can get him outside to go for walks, so much the better. But you might ask a therapist how to use a gait belt for walks so that you can hold him if he begins to lose his balance.
It's best to address stability and balance now so hopefully you won't have to deal with the issue of his not being able to use his legs anymore.
A neurologist who spoke at an AAA Expo said that eyesight, hearing and balance all affect falls. So make sure that his glasses are current (if he wears them) and that he has a hearing aid if needed.
Curious, are you still living in your home or at a retirement village? If you are still living at home, you might consider a retirement village if you can find one within your income means.... that way, if your husband goes from a cane to a walker, he can still feel independent in a retirement village and enjoy everything it has to offer. And, of course, these villages have skilled workers/security who know how to pick someone up if you find you can't. Plus these villages have gyms and physical therapists that can help.
Did he fall trying to get from the bed to the wheelchair or the wheelchair to the toilet (or the revers) or was he just walking about?
See if his doctor will order a physical therapist to come to your home and work with him on retaining enough leg strength to do transfers. Are you able to help him with transfers? Is it practical to insist he not get up without assistance?
Be very careful of your own back when assisting him. Have the PT show you the best ways to assist him, and also keep the number of your local fire station handy, if they provide the service of helping people get up from a fall.