She is now having difficulty standing even while holding grab bars in the bathroom. While in the bathroom, which is small and narrow, my mother, who is 97, is having difficulty pivoting (with caregiver's support) onto the toilet (which has a riser). She has edema in her legs/feet, osteoarthritis in her knee and is not weight-bearing. She is also bottom heavy and essentially "dead weight" when it comes to helping her pivot. We use a hoyer to transfer her from the wheelchair. She has grab bars to help her stand as we get her onto toilet. What can we do when she no longer can help us to move her onto the toilet? While doing pretty well otherwise, even the smallest transfers/pivots are becoming very difficult. She lives at home with my husband and me - no plans for a nursing home. Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.
You say that there are no plans for a nursing home, but don't dig in so far that you injure yourself while transferring your mother. She wouldn't want to see you do that.
Good luck,
Carol
Good luck!