Oh guys, it just gets better and better doesn't it (not). Dad called me from downstairs the other night, the first night in ages I had opted to just go to bed early with my pup and a book after having made a nice dinner for all as I recuperate from the AD (aortic dissection). He says "I think we have to call 911" OY. Mom had fallen and he couldn't get her up, no injuries but she was not helping herself either. I get down there and for all the hassles he generates on his own that contribute to my stress, he's worried my efforts to help in lifting her will injure me....No matter, she is too heavy for both of us. Which leads to him basically holding me responsible for her weight which he believes has increased due to the start of Meals on Wheels about a month ago. Apparently he wants a trophy wife. And withholding food would be a solution....Well, we ultimately did get her up with no injuries on anyone's part. She does fall sporadically, maybe a balance issue, maybe related to the hearing loss (she through the hearing aids out). But I seemed to remember this item and looked it up via googling something like lift to help someone fallen or similar...and there are videos of it in use on youtube...so simple one person can handle it, battery operated with pieces you slip under the fallen person's back and knees. It is battery operated and slowly lifts the person to a near vertical standing position in a short spot of time. It looks quite impressive though they don't come forward with the price. So wondering if you wise folks have encountered it (I'm guessing it's a good investment at various facilities to free up staff and minimize worker's comp claims) Also wondering if it is something Medicare might cover if the MD would write an Rx for it?
6 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
The volunteer fire dept is on speed dial, poor guys.
ADVERTISEMENT
Most of all, though - get training, whether in person from an OT or on YouTube. Don't end up reading the manual while your mother's on the floor and your father's pulling on her arms! Hugs :)
PS I love the "overfeeding" theory! Smh... x
Been there: day, night, weekends, public holidays, no T-shirt 😉 but got the back strain to prove it.
I am soooo jaded & past being on call for falls... (especially for folk who cannot help). Can you tell?
Once? Fine. Twice? Suggest a health check. Frequently? Need a better plan. Every month like mine? EMS now, every.single.time.
Call mom's doc to see if s/he will prescribe a "lift chair" as Duable Medical Equipment (DME).