Dear geneskids: When my mom was in the nursing home, at first everything was o.k., but then she decided to try climbing in and out of bed herself, but couldn't walk on her own anyway, but thought she could so the staff put a new mattress with higher sides. It was designed so that she was in the middle with slightly higher sides so that she could not quite get over the sides so easily. It made a big difference and we didn't have to worry about her falling out either. They only had to put the metal rails up a night just as an extra precaution, but they didn't really need to the mattress did the trick. Hope this helps. P.S. It also helped her because she seemed to like the mattress (maybe it felt more secure to her - not sure because she couldn't remember anything), but if she was content and not trying to climb out of it, we were very happy with the arrangement. Good luck with this.
For my mom they lowered the bed, put a cushioned pad (like a gym mat) next to it, and check on her frequently throughout the night.
It is nearly impossible to prevent every fall, but lots can be done to reduce them and to reduce the risks of injury when they happen.
If your loved one is determined enough to get out of bed in spite of paralysis, I would be very wary about bed rails. Falling over a bed rail could make the consequences worse.
Ask about a low or hi/lo bed, they can be set only a few inches from the floor, so if he gets out there are only inches to fall. As he is paralyzed I assume he couldn't get himself up alone and damage would be minimal.
That is unacceptable. We did several things with mom...first, I explained to her that she was wearing protective briefs so she didn't have to worry about getting up to the bathroom. We raised the head and foot of her bed making it very difficult for her to raise herself. You might tell the nursing home to put his mattress on the floor. That may hampers is ability to get up (knees higher than hips) plus nowhere to fall TO. Does dad have a bed alarm? Ask them to take him to the bathroom once during the night.
Falling like this is totally unacceptable. I would be raising the roof.
5 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
When my mom was in the nursing home, at first everything was o.k., but then she decided to try climbing in and out of bed herself, but couldn't walk on her own anyway, but thought she could so the staff put a new mattress with higher sides. It was designed so that she was in the middle with slightly higher sides so that she could not quite get over the sides so easily. It made a big difference and we didn't have to worry about her falling out either. They only had to put the metal rails up a night just as an extra precaution, but they didn't really need to the mattress did the trick. Hope this helps. P.S. It also helped her because she seemed to like the mattress (maybe it felt more secure to her - not sure because she couldn't remember anything), but if she was content and not trying to climb out of it, we were very happy with the arrangement. Good luck with this.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is nearly impossible to prevent every fall, but lots can be done to reduce them and to reduce the risks of injury when they happen.
If your loved one is determined enough to get out of bed in spite of paralysis, I would be very wary about bed rails. Falling over a bed rail could make the consequences worse.
Falling like this is totally unacceptable. I would be raising the roof.