My 90 year old dad broke his back in January, resulting in surgery and a two week hospital/rehabilitation stay. He lives alone and up until the fall he was very active, independent, and healthy. Since getting home, he hasn’t been quite the same: very tired and clumsy on his feet (although in PT) and today he fell again. We took him to the ED and no injuries so they sent him home. I am spending the night and he is sleeping in his recliner. He got up to go the bathroom and was quite tired/in pain, and getting into bed sounded difficult, so I let him sleep in his recliner. Did I do the right thing? I’m trying to stay up so if he wakes up and needs to go to bed I can help. I am quite close with my dad (he raised me as a single dad since I was 11) and I am always very anxious about him. I hate seeing him in so much pain.
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I think many do not want a "hospital bed" because it has what might seem like a stigma to it..you are in a hospital bed because you are sick, old, feeble, dying....
So lets not call it a "hospital bed" lets call it an adjustable bed.
You can raise and lower it.
You can raise the head
You can raise the foot of the bed.
So ask your Dad if he wants an adjustable bed. And it could be on a trial basis.
Ask that the mattress be an air flow or alternating pressure mattress as that would probably be easier on his back.
Side note ask if he would consider using a urinal to relieve himself at night. That way he would not have to get up and risk falling. the urinal can be emptied in the morning and rinsed out. (more acceptable to men than the bedside commode at this point)
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I hope he’s better soon.
Best of luck to you.
I started sleeping the night in my recliner several months ago. Best sleeps I've ever had!, can sleep right through the night most nights. I have back pain, both hips hurt esp lying on them, sciatica, restless legs, heart burn, I was flailing (is that the word?) around all night when in my bed - heart burn, etc. all keeping me awake. I say, whatever makes for a better night's sleep, do that. 😴 And I'd check with my doctor if I had concerns. I'll try to post this now.
Actually, I think the recliner would be better for a bad back. A bed, has no support when sleeping on your side. My Aunt used to sleep on her couch because she had the back for support. Does Dads chair have a handle on the side? If so, there are extenders. It was recommended for my Mom after a back procedure. They didn't want her bend too far over.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stander-Lever-Extender-Oversized-Handle-for-Easy-Chair-Recliner-Handles/39798110?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227027564226&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=54700078631&wl4=pla-90027024791&wl5=9003829&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=39798110&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o1H45Xhc2CfP83IrSlCJgwr89AEfHCdwjPjWkZmh3iGpvOBBM4hBacaAmT3EALw_wcB
Your Dad is 90. Going under is really not good for the elderly. It takes them a while to get over the anethesia. He really shouldn't be in pain. He may need a pain specialist to help find the right combo of Meds.
If he continues to want to sleep in the recliner, you may want to look into a lift one. Will make it easier to get in and out.
If he returns to his bed, there are small bed rails for helping him sit up. This was also recommended for my Mom.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Height-Adjustable-Hand-Bed-Rail-for-Home-Beds/35306101?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227023384877&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=64518212936&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-111292249976&wl5=9003829&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=35306101&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o0vzNpIwB3_0jbeQKwPpgfl0kjV9o4fTvC0zS_9hkzEvZwyeTPWONkaAuoLEALw_wcB