My mom has no command over her body. When I lift her from wheelchair to couch, I can't get her sitting far enough back on the seat. Ideas?
I've tried many different pillows but it's not comfortable because she always slips down. How do I get her positioned far enough back on the seat? I use a gait belt.
Candy - work with an occupational therapist to be sure you are getting the right chair for your mom, if it is prescribed your benefits should help pay for everything.
Thanks, cwillie. Yes, I contacted Medicare yesterday and they explained everything. Monday I'm calling her doctor to get the ball in motion. And I've already looked at several tilt back chairs online. Truly, it looks like the solution to the problem, and then some. These chairs do everything! Thank you so much, cwillie. You're helping me to keep Mom at home, and saving me from further back injuries. Big stuff!! XO
I don't know your budget but consider getting her a tilt in place wheelchair with a ROHO seat cushion, my mom spent the majority of her day in her chair and was not at all uncomfortable because it was supportive and could be tilted to vary positions. (I didn't have the ROHO cushion at first and that was a mistake, buying twice costs more). Pros: lateral and head support as needed one transfer and you're done customizable should be the only chair you need right up until the end of life much nicer to sit in than a basic wheelchair when you take her out for fresh air
Oh my goodness, I've never heard of a tilt in place wheelchair with a ROHO seat cushion! That's sounds very good -- like something that will solve the problem! Thank you so much cwillie! I'll be back to give an update!
Safest way to lift someone is with a lifting machine. For BOTH of you. Also, if the person cannot hold themselves in a sitting upright position they will need a tilted chair.
Nag over, back to your question.
Can Mom lean forward when in the chair? If unable to move each hip back one at a time you could push just under the knee to push each leg back yourself.
Or place slide sheet or regular sheet on chair, go behind & pull it up. Both of these methods are probably banned manual handling manoeuvres... as can INJURE either of you. Injure yourself & what good will you be!
The best way would be to get some guidance from a OT or PT. Does Mom have a PT (Physiotherapist)?
I have all the lifts going, I think lol. I have a Hoyer lift but it doesn't work with the couch or recliner lift chair, yes have a recliner lift chair too. I also have a bed that lifts. i don't have a standing lift but that would not be usable anyway because she can't grip anything. With all these lifts, none helps with the problem --sheesh! AnPT may be something I'll look into if the Yogibo pillow doesn't help (see lealonnie1) Thanks Beatty
Try seating her in a chair with some structure to it vs a soft sofa with no support to it. She's got no core strength which is what's required to keep herself upright, so a sofa is the worst thing bc it offers no support. You can try a pillow like this:
My mother has similar issues with lack of core strength and slumps down in her wheelchair. She sits well in her recliner at a certain angle that tilts her back a bit, that's the best chair for such an issue.
I'm going to look into the Yogibo pillow. I have a recliner lift chair for her but it has the same problem as the couch -- can't get her sitting far enough back in the seat. She's completely dead weight and unable to move herself at all. The Yogibo is different from other pillows I've tried. I'm going to look into it. Thank you, lealonnie1
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Pros:
lateral and head support as needed
one transfer and you're done
customizable
should be the only chair you need right up until the end of life
much nicer to sit in than a basic wheelchair when you take her out for fresh air
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Nag over, back to your question.
Can Mom lean forward when in the chair? If unable to move each hip back one at a time you could push just under the knee to push each leg back yourself.
Or place slide sheet or regular sheet on chair, go behind & pull it up. Both of these methods are probably banned manual handling manoeuvres... as can INJURE either of you. Injure yourself & what good will you be!
The best way would be to get some guidance from a OT or PT. Does Mom have a PT (Physiotherapist)?
https://www.amazon.com/Yogibo-U-Shaped-Excellent-Resistant-Furniture/dp/B08P3F8MZJ/ref=sr_1_33_sspa?crid=2NTIM1LEXTVB6&dchild=1&keywords=support+pillow&qid=1619668286&sprefix=Support+%2Caps%2C293&sr=8-33-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMFYzUTNVWTZJNzEzJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDQ1MDI0MjIxRFRBQ0ZMSEdXOCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTY3NzQ1MTNSU0gyWFhZMUMyMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
But you'd still have to scoot her far enough back on the couch to access the pillow. I'd go for the chair myself or ideally, a recliner chair.
This is another possibility for a support pillow:
https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Pillow-Shredded-Detachable-Pillows/dp/B07ZLZM3SG/ref=sr_1_95?dchild=1&keywords=Medical+support+pillow&qid=1619668770&sr=8-95
My mother has similar issues with lack of core strength and slumps down in her wheelchair. She sits well in her recliner at a certain angle that tilts her back a bit, that's the best chair for such an issue.
Good luck!
There are others on the forum with loved ones in wheelchairs and they can provide help.
Wishing you all the best.