My 84 yr old husband uses a walker now but has no strength at all. I am 83 and the only caregiver. What are my options when he can no longer move himself?
I'm agreeing with others regarding PT. Muscles atrophy very quickly when they are not used making you weak and unable to do seemingly simple things. All of us could benefit from more exercise. To keep yourself strong, you could both start some type of an exercise program. Could be some PT or some videos of exercises for seniors, etc.
I think having PT come to the house would be the best plan. So much easier than going out which can be daunting or unsafe, especially is he's having trouble walking. Call his doctor and ask for a referral ASAP.
Wondering if either of you is a veteran? If so, contact your local Veteran Services office and speak to a counselor to apply for the Aid & Attendance benefit which will cover assisted living or home health care. there’s also an adaptive program for handrails etc
I would talk to his doctor and have the doctor order PT. that might help. You may have to consider hiring another caregiver to help you out. If your husband is on Hospice they will provide equipment that will make it easier for you to help him move, or equipment that will allow you to move him. They will instruct you how to use it as well. If he can not walk a wheelchair would be the next step.
First - ask for PT to try and regain or at least maintain the ability he has - I was surprised at how much stronger my mom got with only a few very simple exercises. But if he continues to lose his ability to walk at your age I think a nursing home is likely the realistic option. Once someone can no longer walk or even stand and transfer to a wheelchair then everything becomes exponentially harder, a facility has many hands to deal with toileting or changing his incontinence briefs, dressing, bathing, the ability to get out of bed and be with other people or just see something other than the same four walls (not to mention a respite for you).
A lot will depend on your financial resources because outside care is expensive -- but this is what people have been saving up for their entire lives.
If he's weak now, then he is a fall risk. Him becomiing unable to move himself will probably mean LTC in either your home or a facility.
Is your home made for wheelchair access? Are the doorways wide and counters low? Is there space in his room for a Hoyer lift? Do you mind people being in your home most of the time?
If not, then you may need to consider a good, local facility. You should talk to a Medicaid Planner for your state, and he needs to have all his legal paperwork in order (a designated DPoA who is not you, but someone younger; a Living Will aka Advance Healthcare Directive, a Last Will, etc.).
You should talk to a certified elder law attorney if you haven't already. Other resources are your local area's Agency on Aging, or social services for your county. If you call the county they can come in and assess him for in-home services. But eventually, you will both need to decide what happens when his care needs become too much for in-home or finances.
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I think having PT come to the house would be the best plan. So much easier than going out which can be daunting or unsafe, especially is he's having trouble walking. Call his doctor and ask for a referral ASAP.
Best of luck.
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You may have to consider hiring another caregiver to help you out.
If your husband is on Hospice they will provide equipment that will make it easier for you to help him move, or equipment that will allow you to move him.
They will instruct you how to use it as well.
If he can not walk a wheelchair would be the next step.
But if he continues to lose his ability to walk at your age I think a nursing home is likely the realistic option. Once someone can no longer walk or even stand and transfer to a wheelchair then everything becomes exponentially harder, a facility has many hands to deal with toileting or changing his incontinence briefs, dressing, bathing, the ability to get out of bed and be with other people or just see something other than the same four walls (not to mention a respite for you).
If he's weak now, then he is a fall risk. Him becomiing unable to move himself will probably mean LTC in either your home or a facility.
Is your home made for wheelchair access? Are the doorways wide and counters low? Is there space in his room for a Hoyer lift? Do you mind people being in your home most of the time?
If not, then you may need to consider a good, local facility. You should talk to a Medicaid Planner for your state, and he needs to have all his legal paperwork in order (a designated DPoA who is not you, but someone younger; a Living Will aka Advance Healthcare Directive, a Last Will, etc.).
You should talk to a certified elder law attorney if you haven't already. Other resources are your local area's Agency on Aging, or social services for your county. If you call the county they can come in and assess him for in-home services. But eventually, you will both need to decide what happens when his care needs become too much for in-home or finances.