My MIL is living in an assisted living facility, one of the ones that has the necklaces/bracelets to call CNAs, but continues to get up in the middle of the night to take herself to the bathroom. She’s a fall risk and confined to her wheelchair, but can stand with assistance/using grab bars.
Despite having the button to call the CNAs to take her out of bed and to the toilet, she refuses to use it due to the amount of time it takes for someone to get to her.
Recently this year she had two falls within 72 hours due to this behavior (luckily nothing was broken, but she was in pain for the better part of a month). She’s as stubborn as an ox and refuses to see it any other way, despite us trying to reason with her.
A bed alarm wouldn’t work since the AL is very apartment-like. Would it be illegal to move the wheelchair out of her reach? Any suggestions would be welcome.
This is exceptionally common. I am certain you are in contact with the LTC and they have assured you that is so, and have assured you they are doing what they can. Be certain that a soft cushioned rubber matt, if they have these, are at either side of bed and in bathroom if there are tiles.
I will tell you that elders fall. This is a matter of balance as much as of failing limbs and broken brain. It is often the beginning of the end. Eventually there are broken bones, then the need for bedrest, pneumonia, catheters and infection.
This battle in not new to the LTC facility so discuss with them. Try to figure out what can be done. And understand that finally the answer is "not much" and this is a "matter of time" for serious injury. I am so sorry, but you can only do the best you can. The rest is in the hands of the fates.
It's possible she has the beginnings of memory impairment or dementia. Are you her PoA? Does she have a baseline test? Just saying that if this is in play, then the likelihood she participates in the solution is less probable. Just have tempered expectations and when talking to admins ask about "what ifs" in this situation.
Does MIL wear incontinent briefs? (aka "diapers"?) If so maybe convincing her that an "accident" once in a while is no big deal?
While it would not be "illegal" to move her wheelchair out of reach it might create more of a fall risk if she does get up and try to either get tot he chair or to the bathroom.
Or if she can transfer maybe a bedside commode can be put near the bed at night then moved in the morning when they help her get up.