My 80+ mother is an amputee and has been having trouble transferring by herself. What can we do next?

Transferring from a wheelchair. There are wheelchairs where the side lifts up out the way so you can transfer. There are transfer boards. There are transfer chairs for the shower. The seat is outside the tub and it slides into the tub. Look up bed rails and you will find one that is 18 wide and slides between the mattress and bx spring. It helps the person pull up from a prone position. It also gives them something to hold on while trying to stand or...transferring to a wheelchair. You can find pictures on the internet.

To help make Mom more independent, as her doctor to prescribe her "in home" OT therapy. The therapist will help her learn how to get around on her own and suggest what she needs in durable equipment to be able to do it. Medicare should help pay for this and maybe her supplimental picking up the 20% Medicare does not pay.

The pain, there is something called "phantom pain" that amputees experience. For my friend being anxious and stressed brought her pain on. Mom may need a pain specialist. They teach how to take pain meds to get the most out of them.

In my opinion inability to transfer would be the deal breaker when it comes to living independently, it would mean she can't get into or out of bed, bathe or toilet at all without help, the inability to stand and bear weight for even a few seconds would also make every other task from dressing to meal prep much more difficult if not impossible. Ask for a PT to work with her, and consult with an OT to see if they have any strategies that might help her. And have your plan on the next step firmly in place - familiarize yourself with her finances, select the appropriate facility and ask about wait lists and know what you will do if your favoured place isn't available when she is.

My dh aunt is on hospice due to dementia. Medicare pays for the hospice service. Medicare will also pay for home health for a homebound individual who meets the criteria. It seems your mom would. However, my aunt has private pay help as well to help her with her ADLs. She started with only HH and as her issues increased, so did her help. You could also check with your Area Agency on Aging to see what services she might qualify for since she has limited funds.

If she's independent and wants to stay that way, I'd choose the palliative/home health option. Line up a good pain med doctor, PT/OT and aides.