Re: April/Carol

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

My father is very " active " also and does not comprehend that he is

very unsteady on his feet. You should probably talk to the " risk

assessment group " at the NH. My father has a bed that lowers to the

ground and they put mats on the floor on each side (like the blue

exercise mats). He also has a bed alarm so that if he does get out

of bed, they are aware of it. Hopefully that will improve her

safety. You may also want to reconsider the railings if she is

crawling over them, as she could get her leg caught in one.

During the day, my father has a lap buddy (although I am sure he

would like to call it something else). He is fast to stand up and

go. And many times they find him walking around on his own.

I agree it is a fine line as to what to do. Hopefully with the help

of risk assessment, you can come up with a plan.

Daughter of Bill, 91

>

> , I have been reading your post and the UTI is something I

will consider. My mother who has LBD/ Parkinson's dx 8/2003, has on

5/5/06 fallen and broke her right hip and then on 7/9/06 fell and

broke her left hip. She has done therapy fairly well, and she

thinks she can walk on her own, but forgets she can not. Now she is

in a wheelchair and keeps trying to get up thinking she can walk (

that's how she broke the left hip).

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> Just yesterday night and tonight the nursing home has called to

say my mother has crawled out of bed from the bottom end (the sides

have railings) and they find her sitting on the floor near the door

about 5 feet from the bed.

>

> Any suggestions on what to do? I have thought about lowering the

bed to prevent a hard fall. Putting rugs around the bed to pad the

area. Also this is a sudden change in her behavior, maybe I should

check with the neurologist about her meds. She is on Stelevo,

Aricept, Namenda, Paxil, and Seroquel at night. I do not want to

drug her up, but if I can I want to prevent falling as much as

possible. It is a fine line on what to do. Thank you to anyone

with any suggestions. I will consider checking for the UTI

infection also. Thanks!

>

> Carol B. Elk Grove Vlg IL

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