Mom is 94, on hospice due to CHF, in memory care, is visually impaired and has hearing loss. She hasn't used a regular bed for years. She is walking constantly with her walker (a symptom of anxiety which is not presently being treated). She does have delusions. I am concerned about her ability to operate a recliner lift chair and her attachment to present recliner (worn out). I want her to have a new chair now as opposed to waiting till she absolutely can't get out of her recliner. Have a sibling who wants to wait. Advice?
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I suggest renting a recliner to see if she could adjust to any new and unfamiliar controls.
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I like Windy’s idea to adjust and unplug. Then when you wanted them to get up, you could plug back up and be there to help them. Aunts was expensive and a waste since she wants to stay in bed. But occasionally she sits in it and it’s easier for caregivers to get her up with the lift.
We had to get rid of aunts old recliner which she loved. Red leather her favorite. But had begun to smell. We removed the old one after we got the new chair which we placed by her bed. She never mentioned the old one. Out of sight, out of mind.
Almost forgot. The chairs that have two motors are more useful. One motor for the recline, the head. One for the foot rest. This way you can sit in the chair upright and lift the feet while watching tv or eating or visiting. With the one motor the head reclines and the feet go up at the same time. No choice. The two motor ones are usually more expensive but I have seen them for less. The vinyl is better for cleaning but easier to slip out of. There are washable pads available online for recliners.
It’s like the rolling walkers with brakes, walk in baths that celebrities sell on tv, it takes a fair amount of cognition to make this stuff work.
I would buy some memory foam and use water proof cover, then make covers like pillowcases, make a couple sets.
That way she gets to keep her beloved chair and you know it is giving her support and comfort.
The suggestion of making an insert might work and help keep peace between siblings. I'm not sure if putting this on a worn out chair would be the best course of action. I will try this out for now and see if this will help. Hospice personnel recommended a lift recliner.
Buy one identical to it and set it beside the old one.
Spend her money now, what is sibling waiting F O R , I wonder.....
Your post has brought up memories, when all the family heard was:
"Don't spend my inheritance".
Have the anxiety treated.
While on hospice, have a medication review, trying to remove all nonessential medications, and/or decrease the dosages.
You don't wait.
She may have issues learning the controls and remembering them.
Husband's aunt, 92, has one and occasionally gets confused and once almost slid on the floor. Thankfully she has sitters all day to supervise.