My mom is in NH in NY state. She is in a wheelchair, dementia and almost 100% blind due to shingles, and subject to falls from rolling out of bed. We have put these (authorized) precautions into place: Wider bed, fall mats on both sides, lowered bed to the floor, moved furniture away from bed that she may hit, padded the corners of A/C unit, 15 minute bed checks. When I am here and putting her down for a nap, I pack pillows around her and place her big call disc near her bum so she may roll onto it if she wakes up and is on the move, she may accidentally activate it. She is blind and can’t see it, and with the dementia doesn't use it in the normal way. These 2 last procedures are considered “restraints” in NY so are unauthorized, so the aids do this on the down-low and I can’t get them documented into her care plan. This is more than frustrating to me and the nurses. They’ve asked me to consider moving her room across from the nurses station where they think they will be able to spot or hear her and intervene. I hesitate to take this step as she’s been in the same room since moving here 2 years ago, it’s bright and pleasant and her roommate watches out for her and calls for the aids if Mom has a problem. Not her responsibility but she’s a lovely caring person who I try to help as much as possible too. The potential new room is depressing and roommate sleeps 99% of time and is noncommunicative. I want what's best for Mom, but I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want this to be about me, but I sure don’t want to be any more depressed when I’m here than I already am! Before I take this step does anyone have more ideas on bed fall prevention that we could try? They won’t move her unless I agree, and it’s the only thing left in their bag of tricks, although they are not familiar with dealing with blind residents, she's the only one here!
Mom can hear a pin drop across a room, and can’t see if someone talking is actually speaking to her so her confusion increases. So I also was concerned that the commotion near the nurses station might make her restless sleep even worse, and cause even more “wake ups, get ups” and falls.
I will definitely ask about putting the bed closer to the wall and see what they say about that. Thanks!
What about a rectangle swimming pool under the mattress, the sides preventing her from climbing out. That may be a restraint though.
What about a toddler bed, so low to the ground, designs with sides to prevent toddler from falling out of bed. If a wider bed is needed, get a carpenter involved.
Sorry if these ideas are too too strange.
And finally, stop any medications that may be known or unknown to cause a person to fall. I am suspecting the gerd meds, even the over-the-counter ones that used to be by prescription only. imo.
I actually like the bed rails up it gives me something to pull myself up on.
I would vote not to move Mom to a different room. it probably wouldn't help anyway patients have been known to fall even with three nurses in the room. if the nurses are doing there jobs they should not be sitting at the nurses station peering into patientss rooms in the dark. Unless Mom is also stone deaf it will be very noisy there too at night. Something with a light beam that sounds an alarm sounds like the best solution.
I asked for a trapeze for hubby and I was told he could not have one because they were only for orthopedic patients.
Would it be possible to push one side of the bed up against the wall? I don't know if that would be considered a restraint.
Are they allowed to put alarms under the floor pads?
This is getting really ridiculous. I think military hospitals are still allowed to use restraints. What about prisoners who are taken to hospital and restrained with hand cuffs while the have their babies? How about rubber rooms for the insane are they considered restraints.
Amazon have a Buzz Lightyear one at a reasonable cost.
amazon.co.uk/Lightyear-Ultimate-Talking-Action-Figure/dp/B002DGNOXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522880263&sr=8-1&keywords=buzz+lightyear+room+guard
They do other types but I remember this one from the grandchildren.
Just a thought. :)
Baby monitor in the room...perfect but verboten as well. Already tried that.
I did have a good meeting with the head nurse this afternoon and got the call disc placement by her bum approved and put on her care plan, after I demonstrated it. Small victory! And a commitment they won’t move her unless I’m in agreement. She recognizes the relationship we have with the roomie and also was concerned about how a move would affect her as I basically “take care” of her 4 hours a day too, as she doesn’t have family that visits much. They are grasping at straws now however, as am I, and the move is a last resort. Any other ideas are appreciated!
I'm glad the NH is willing to use pillows. I pack pillows all around me in bed -- not because I fall, but because it is cozy and comforting.
Is Mom at risk for falling from her wheelchair, too? We asked for a tray on our mom's wheelchair so she could easily do crossword puzzles. It could be opened by the person in the chair, but Mom never figured that out, so it served as a nice restraint, too.
I feel sorry for the staff who really do want to do sensible things to help, but whose hands are tied.
At least any nurse or aide at the station could see what mom's up to. They are also portable, so whoever has her as a patient could keep an eye on her.
This "restraint" thing has really gone too far, IMO.
What the heck, it's better to let them fall, break all kinds of bones, tear ligaments, crack skulls, etc. ?
Oh well, guess I'm "old school".
Putting pillows around your Mom also worked with my Mom. Less falling out of bed. When Mom was in her geri-recliner, the Staff found putting a pillow under Mom's knees kept her in the recliner a longer time, until later when Mom was wrestling the pillow out from under her knees.
I would vote to keep Mom in her room with the roommate who is alert. Your Mom is quite lucky to have such a lovely roommate :)