Guest guest Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 I would like to hear the answer to safety issues, as well. Marilyn in TN ---------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 My husband may not fib, but he certainly stretches the truth. To be honest, he would prefer that people not know that he is so dependent. Marilyn in TN ---------- > >To: <shydrager > >Subject: Re: Safety >Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2001, 8:38 PM > >Bill - you surely hit the nail on the head!!! I think the problem we have >with an aide (other than monetary - but there's always a way), is that the >only help he needs right now is getting up to go the restroom when I'm not >home, so what would an aide do - just sit and watch TV with him? Bob has >always picked his friends carefully (being in sales with IBM, he dealt with >so many people that he preferred to be with only whom he chose during >non-working hours!). I'm afraid he wouldn't like having a stranger in the >home. It's a difficuilt situation. Oh - do all MSA patients " fib " also? > " I didn't get up! " and, in the same breath - " I didn't have any problems - >I didn't fall. " When asked why he should fall if he didn't get up, he >LAUGHS!!! Boy, oh boy!!! > >Thanks for your feedback. > >Elaine Grimmesey > >>>> Werre 02/26/01 03:27PM >>> >Suzanne, > >) You know we talk (behind the backs of the patients) about the >hardheadedness of a MSA patient ) About two years ago Ford >('s Fordy) PROMISED me when the time came, he would use the >wheelchair. He doesn't and every time I hear from he has a knot >or split head. > >Charlotte used to throw the clothes down the steps, then go down and step >over them. Bang! She fell and I had to take her to the ER. By the time >we got to the ER, she had two blackeyes. Within days she had a black face. > They were worried about blood clots. Since then she has used the >wheelchair, but even turned it over twice leaning too far forward. > >Maybe a baseball bat would get their attention ) All you patients that >are not already writing me nasty emails, take heed. We caregivers do NOT >like to go to the ER anymore than you do, so help us out. Both Tony and I >have been accused of beating Anne and Charlotte. I think little >was accused of beating up big Fordy also. > >If he will accept a wheelchair, it can help. He can get around the house >in it. A cell phone can help keep in contact. An aide could help if you >can find one and he will accept the aide. Sorry, most of us have faced >this problem, and none of us have a good answer. It's like having a teen >all over again. > >Boy I hear the sticks and stones coming my way now ) > >Take care, Bill and Charlotte > >========================================== > >Suzanne Grimmesey-Kirk wrote: > >> It is my father who is diagnosed with MSA - OPCA type. My mother, also >on this list, is his primary caregiver. As is the case with OPCA, Dad's >balance is significantly affected. He spends the day in a lift chair. >When he walks he goes very short distance with the assistance of another, >otherwise uses a walker. During the daytime, he is alone while my Mom is >at work. Although she is home mid-day for lunch and assures that he has >all he needs nearby, he still gets up on his own. >> >> He tries to stand for what I believe to be a combination of agitation and >difficulty with feeling comfortable in the chair, and wishing to use the >restroom. He does have a urinal to use from his chair (and a condom >catheter which he has not yet used during the day). Even so, he stands and >lunges to his walker, or the nearest wall. He falls frequently. Even >after promising my mother that he will not get up, he does. >> >> As result of the falls, he has fractured his ribs several times, a few >times resulting in pneumothoraxes (sp). >> >> Does anyone have suggestions as to how to maintain his safety in the home >when left alone? Or is the only option a home health aide? >> >> Suzanne Grimmesey-Kirk, MFT >> Quality Care Management >> Voice: 884-1647 >> FAX: 884-1633 >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 My husband may not fib, but he certainly stretches the truth. To be honest, he would prefer that people not know that he is so dependent. Marilyn in TN ---------- > >To: <shydrager > >Subject: Re: Safety >Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2001, 8:38 PM > >Bill - you surely hit the nail on the head!!! I think the problem we have >with an aide (other than monetary - but there's always a way), is that the >only help he needs right now is getting up to go the restroom when I'm not >home, so what would an aide do - just sit and watch TV with him? Bob has >always picked his friends carefully (being in sales with IBM, he dealt with >so many people that he preferred to be with only whom he chose during >non-working hours!). I'm afraid he wouldn't like having a stranger in the >home. It's a difficuilt situation. Oh - do all MSA patients " fib " also? > " I didn't get up! " and, in the same breath - " I didn't have any problems - >I didn't fall. " When asked why he should fall if he didn't get up, he >LAUGHS!!! Boy, oh boy!!! > >Thanks for your feedback. > >Elaine Grimmesey > >>>> Werre 02/26/01 03:27PM >>> >Suzanne, > >) You know we talk (behind the backs of the patients) about the >hardheadedness of a MSA patient ) About two years ago Ford >('s Fordy) PROMISED me when the time came, he would use the >wheelchair. He doesn't and every time I hear from he has a knot >or split head. > >Charlotte used to throw the clothes down the steps, then go down and step >over them. Bang! She fell and I had to take her to the ER. By the time >we got to the ER, she had two blackeyes. Within days she had a black face. > They were worried about blood clots. Since then she has used the >wheelchair, but even turned it over twice leaning too far forward. > >Maybe a baseball bat would get their attention ) All you patients that >are not already writing me nasty emails, take heed. We caregivers do NOT >like to go to the ER anymore than you do, so help us out. Both Tony and I >have been accused of beating Anne and Charlotte. I think little >was accused of beating up big Fordy also. > >If he will accept a wheelchair, it can help. He can get around the house >in it. A cell phone can help keep in contact. An aide could help if you >can find one and he will accept the aide. Sorry, most of us have faced >this problem, and none of us have a good answer. It's like having a teen >all over again. > >Boy I hear the sticks and stones coming my way now ) > >Take care, Bill and Charlotte > >========================================== > >Suzanne Grimmesey-Kirk wrote: > >> It is my father who is diagnosed with MSA - OPCA type. My mother, also >on this list, is his primary caregiver. As is the case with OPCA, Dad's >balance is significantly affected. He spends the day in a lift chair. >When he walks he goes very short distance with the assistance of another, >otherwise uses a walker. During the daytime, he is alone while my Mom is >at work. Although she is home mid-day for lunch and assures that he has >all he needs nearby, he still gets up on his own. >> >> He tries to stand for what I believe to be a combination of agitation and >difficulty with feeling comfortable in the chair, and wishing to use the >restroom. He does have a urinal to use from his chair (and a condom >catheter which he has not yet used during the day). Even so, he stands and >lunges to his walker, or the nearest wall. He falls frequently. Even >after promising my mother that he will not get up, he does. >> >> As result of the falls, he has fractured his ribs several times, a few >times resulting in pneumothoraxes (sp). >> >> Does anyone have suggestions as to how to maintain his safety in the home >when left alone? Or is the only option a home health aide? >> >> Suzanne Grimmesey-Kirk, MFT >> Quality Care Management >> Voice: 884-1647 >> FAX: 884-1633 >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 My husband may not fib, but he certainly stretches the truth. To be honest, he would prefer that people not know that he is so dependent. Marilyn in TN ---------- > >To: <shydrager > >Subject: Re: Safety >Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2001, 8:38 PM > >Bill - you surely hit the nail on the head!!! I think the problem we have >with an aide (other than monetary - but there's always a way), is that the >only help he needs right now is getting up to go the restroom when I'm not >home, so what would an aide do - just sit and watch TV with him? Bob has >always picked his friends carefully (being in sales with IBM, he dealt with >so many people that he preferred to be with only whom he chose during >non-working hours!). I'm afraid he wouldn't like having a stranger in the >home. It's a difficuilt situation. Oh - do all MSA patients " fib " also? > " I didn't get up! " and, in the same breath - " I didn't have any problems - >I didn't fall. " When asked why he should fall if he didn't get up, he >LAUGHS!!! Boy, oh boy!!! > >Thanks for your feedback. > >Elaine Grimmesey > >>>> Werre 02/26/01 03:27PM >>> >Suzanne, > >) You know we talk (behind the backs of the patients) about the >hardheadedness of a MSA patient ) About two years ago Ford >('s Fordy) PROMISED me when the time came, he would use the >wheelchair. He doesn't and every time I hear from he has a knot >or split head. > >Charlotte used to throw the clothes down the steps, then go down and step >over them. Bang! She fell and I had to take her to the ER. By the time >we got to the ER, she had two blackeyes. Within days she had a black face. > They were worried about blood clots. Since then she has used the >wheelchair, but even turned it over twice leaning too far forward. > >Maybe a baseball bat would get their attention ) All you patients that >are not already writing me nasty emails, take heed. We caregivers do NOT >like to go to the ER anymore than you do, so help us out. Both Tony and I >have been accused of beating Anne and Charlotte. I think little >was accused of beating up big Fordy also. > >If he will accept a wheelchair, it can help. He can get around the house >in it. A cell phone can help keep in contact. An aide could help if you >can find one and he will accept the aide. Sorry, most of us have faced >this problem, and none of us have a good answer. It's like having a teen >all over again. > >Boy I hear the sticks and stones coming my way now ) > >Take care, Bill and Charlotte > >========================================== > >Suzanne Grimmesey-Kirk wrote: > >> It is my father who is diagnosed with MSA - OPCA type. My mother, also >on this list, is his primary caregiver. As is the case with OPCA, Dad's >balance is significantly affected. He spends the day in a lift chair. >When he walks he goes very short distance with the assistance of another, >otherwise uses a walker. During the daytime, he is alone while my Mom is >at work. Although she is home mid-day for lunch and assures that he has >all he needs nearby, he still gets up on his own. >> >> He tries to stand for what I believe to be a combination of agitation and >difficulty with feeling comfortable in the chair, and wishing to use the >restroom. He does have a urinal to use from his chair (and a condom >catheter which he has not yet used during the day). Even so, he stands and >lunges to his walker, or the nearest wall. He falls frequently. Even >after promising my mother that he will not get up, he does. >> >> As result of the falls, he has fractured his ribs several times, a few >times resulting in pneumothoraxes (sp). >> >> Does anyone have suggestions as to how to maintain his safety in the home >when left alone? Or is the only option a home health aide? >> >> Suzanne Grimmesey-Kirk, MFT >> Quality Care Management >> Voice: 884-1647 >> FAX: 884-1633 >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2001 Report Share Posted February 26, 2001 My husband has a pole with a bar near the table where we eat. This table is also a place where he can look over mail, etc. This allows him a place where he can sit other than his lift chair. Marilyn In TN ---------- > >To: <shydrager > >Subject: Re: Safety >Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2001, 8:30 PM > >Kaye - when you speak of poles, do you mean " super-poles " that go from >floor to ceiling? I'm about to order something on that order - what do you >suggest? Even if Bob (husband) doesn't walk far, as my daughter suggests, >he could at least safely stand and sit (he has a lift chair). Thanks so >much for your suggestions. > >Elaine Grimmesey > >>>> 02/26/01 03:23PM >>> >this surely is a huge concern. i, too, had to work full time during the >course of my husband's illness. part of the problem has to do with the short >term memory. i know i must have sounded like a haggy nag to my poor man some >days. john would cough while eating and yet continue to attempt to put >food/drink in his mouth! even when i insisted he put the fork/glass down, he >would begin to, and then in the same moment start to eat or drink again. as >for falling, you might want to consider poles and rails in your dad's home. >also, i took my husband's favorite chair and literally 'broke' it so that >when he leaned forward it wouldn't topple over on him. he was able to >successfully use this chair up until he became bedridden. i don't even know >how to explain what i did....it was a lazyboy rocker and by some stroke of >luck i managed to bust the mechanism so that john controlled the movement of >the chair, rather than the other way around. he would lean forward and his >knees would literally touch the floor and then off he would crawl. as for >home health, this was an eventual God send for us, but it came too late. >unfortunately, i didn't have the primary physican support that i needed >during our journey....and his primary had to OK everything, so it wasn't >until an extended hospital stay that the hospital authorized home health. i >could actually have a relaxing drive home from work....something i had long >forgotten! > >good luck >kaye > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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