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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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I agree with gladimhere (above). Kindly steer him to a doctor for a checkup. Inner ear/dizziness issues, various infections. Bladder infections can have weird effects on the elderly. Physical therapy may help with ankle/feet strength issues and coordination. Local YMCAs have arthritis workouts in the warm pool in the mornings. If he won't go to anything -- buy him those stretchy bands and show him how to put them under his feet and work his feet and legs against the resistance bands, while he's sitting watching TV. Does he have a rocking chair? Not a glider. A rocker. It keeps that front ankle strengthened. That muscle often gets weak and "drops" the foot instead of picking it up at each step. This creates frequent stumbling. PBS has a show (and it is on DVDs at your local library) "Sit and Be Fit" - ask him if he'll do those. They are safe and include both strengthening and coordination exercises. If he won't do anything at all, see if he will accept massages, and get him to a masseuse. Just loosening over-tight muscles can help the body realign, restoring freedom of movement and better balance. Also -- how about canes and walkers? See if he is amenable, or at least make a parking place in his house to have them available for him to try. (Senior Centers and Area Council on Aging may have them to share/borrow/try) Last suggestion -- always take a moment to be calm and center yourself in your heart of love and compassion for him, before you approach him to suggest anything. Once you feel love moving in your heart, then go in and gently speak from your heart to him. This is to remove any sense of being in opposition to him or his wishes. Your heart will speak to his. Lots of suggestions! Good Luck!
Great answers! I can only add that, if he has (or may have undiagnosed) diabetes, a form of neuropathy can develop that affects balance. At one point, my MIL, (Type 2 diabetes, no dementia) could not stop herself from falling if she was even the slightest bit off-balance. She eventually took balance classes, which helped. She now uses a walker and cane, as well.
Another idea -- vitamin deficiency and mineral imbalance -- can affect muscle strength, even causing muscle spasms. Check his potassium-magnesium balance especially.
My father kept falling. One time he fell down in slow motion in front of me. I didn't know he was falling because he was like going down slowly. He tried to grab the chair as he fell. He landed on his back. His limbs were moving and he kept trying to sit up but couldn't. He tried to turn and couldn't. I just sat there in horror. He got mad at me because I wasn't helping him. I couldn't. I was skinny and weighed under 100 lbs. He's fatter and weighed close to 180 lbs. I cannot even lift a 50 lbs. rice. I told him that it's useless for me to try to help him up. He will just pull me down on him. He was so very angry. I finally reached down, grabbed his hand, and instead of him coming up, I almost fell on top of him. We had to wait for his limbs to get back their strengths before he could pull himself up to sitting position. According to my dad, every time he fell, he had a *very difficult time getting up*. I think this is very significant. At the times this was happening, my dad was normal - walking, active, gardening, etc...
I also noticed that he had problems grabbing things. He would try to pick up the blanket, and his fingers were touching it but he couldn't close his fingers to grab it. There were other signs which I no longer recall. The thing is, all these little signs were warnings. Or maybe he was having those mini strokes and we didn't know. But finally, one day, he had The Stroke. His left side was affected and by his decision, he became bedridden.
Thank you all. I'm going to talk to my husband about maybe physical therapy for him. My FIL is almost 90 yrs old and is very stubborn and doesn't want MIL to tell us that he is falling at home. He has a walker but won't use it and we got him a power lift recliner to help with getting up.
Sgarza, seems like as we all age we tend to lose our balance, and strength in our legs. I just feel it is general age decline.
I've notice for myself, if I squat down to pick something up off the floor, I have an issue trying to get myself back up to standing. It's more annoying than anything else.
Physical therapy should help if this situation is only age related decline. Have the therapist work on the issues at hand, such as balance.
Before you start with "treatments" you need to know what the problem is. Many things can cause falling. He needs a full check up by his doctor and, maybe, depending on the results of that, referrals to specialists. Meanwhile try to keep him as safe as possible. Encourage the use of his walker, install grab bars...but, also, make sure he sees his doctor.
Doctor ASAP with full list of meds that he is taking. Could be med side effects. Doc will do UA and full blood panel. Don't let him walk without a walker
Oh, another thing just came to mind. What kind of shoes is Dad wearing? My Dad found if he wore regular sole shoes, instead of sneakers, he could get his footing better.
Till you figure out the cause, get him one of those foot massage machines that’re available on Amazon, as well as in Costco. Tart cherry tonic also helps with arthritic conditions. Again Costco sells it cheap (~$40 for two bottles; 32 Oz). See whether you can arrange a regular trainer in the local aquatics to help him with basic muscle exercises, as it’s much easier to do those under water, at that age. If not, get in the water yourself and help him out. It maybe fun for him too! Get those hot water rubber bottles with cloth covers (~$12) and put it under his feet, before sleep to keep him warm at the peripheries. That’ll help with blood circulation and catch a good sleep. Use a warm coconut /sesame oil to massage his joints and feet, regularly. Ask the doctor to check his blood circulation in the legs. I believe they have a noninvasive technique using sound waves. Good luck!
My DH is a 'faller' and he's 96. We tend to walk barefoot in the house and I noticed that the toes on his right foot rarely touch the floor - he is actually holding them up.
When home therapy came, the therapist asked me if I had noticed the toes and I said YES. Seems, many seniors do this to keep from falling and it causes them to fall backwards if they try to turn or backup.
HOWEVER, I do hope your FIL has been to the doctor and properly diagnosed by now. My DH tests negative for dementia maintaining a score of 25 out of 30 - he has "age related memory loss" - but it doesn't change the problems or situation.
Your FIL should be eligible for HomeHealthCare and this can include a Physical Therapist if you ask for it.
My FIL did the same thing. His regular doctor gave him an "All Clear." I didnt believe the doctor. I decide to take him to Neurologist. After one month and 5 completely different tests he was diagnosed with moderate to severe vascular dementia. The area associated with balance that was affected in his brain from this vascular dementia. She said he's always trying to chase the center of gravity. Trust your gut if it looks like a duck and acts like a duck it could be a duck. I did believe his Doctor at first until I injured myself picking him up over and over again. Then I thought "These people dont know him. I dont care how long they went to school." In fact when I told the pcp he was quite shocked he missed it. I I hope this helps.
Just went through this exact same thing with my mother. She lived alone at the time and fell “for no apparent reason” 3 times in two weeks. I lived 15 min away and by the time I got there, she was perfectly fine.
The last time she fell, I could not get her up off the floor and she seemed not to understand my commands for her to help me. She weighs 100 and nothing, but I can’t deadlift that much weight. I finally just called the ambulance. By the time they got there about 10 min later, she got right up.
Mom was dehydrated and her potassium was low. She was exhibiting odd mental issues while in the hospital that only I witnessed, but did report.
It was agreed that she could not go home and live alone. They put her in rehab to eventually transition to long term care. The hospital knew this and so did the nursing home.
I was in shock when the nursing home told me they were discharging her 17 days later - because that’s all Medicare would pay for. This was all decided by her diagnosis at hospital discharge - not by any progress (or lack thereof) she had made in rehab.
There was no way she was ready to go home. She can barely walk with a walker.
I immediately applied for Medicaid for her, but they denied because she had not been in the nursing home for at least 30 days. She had to come home with me or pay $160 per day out of pocket. We don’t have those kind of funds.
I’m getting ready to talk to an elder care attorney. You keep reading people’s replies to posts that say that if someone is in the hospital, you can refuse to accept discharge and they have to find a place for them. I don’t know if that’s true, but that’s why I’m seeking legal advice.
Check eyesight too. Friend of mine in pretty good shape in his 80s started falling because his legs just gave out. Eventually diagnosed with ALS. You need to get that doctor involved.
You've gotten good suggestions here. BUT PLEASE seek a medical diagnosis. It is helpful to provide the doctor with a detailed description of what the fall looks like.
My husband fell with or without his walker. It wasn't until I gave the neuro guy a detailed description of the fall that the cause was thought to be something very close to narcolepsy, related to his dementia. I am NOT suggesting that is what your FIL has, but trying to make the point that the right diagnosis is vital.
Mom would suddenly just stop with her walker, bob and then drop multiple times over a few years. She broke most of the bones in her face and C2 in her spine. Turned out it was her blood pressure suddenly dropping when she stood up (orthostatic). Heart doc told us to stop her BP meds and it did not happen again
I agree fully with bookluvr, mini strokes. My father kept falling and also fell slow motion in front of me. Then he kept falling and said his legs just gave out and he didn't remember how to get up. He has been bedridden since. It has been 2 years now. The worst of it is that he got a bedsore on the lower back and it is still big and re-opens as he has to sleep on one side and the other side, not on his back at all. He got the bedsore after 3 days in a hospital and now we rely on personal care workers to come in mornings and nights to change his diaper. My sister does a change if he soils himself in the mid-afternoon as she lives closest. To avoid the bedsore it means you or a care giver and someone else has to turn his body carefully every few hours and best to get a bed that self inflates and deflates in sections to mimic movement. Do your research. It is what will be needed. The Bedsore has been worse than him not being able to walk or move his arms. It was heartbreaking for us in many ways as he was a fantastic guitarist since he was 11 years of age. Also, please do as much physio with him, learn from a physiotherapist, as it will mean less pain for him as time progresses. If I could go back in time I would DEMAND an MRI, do not waste your time on CT scans. Then I would see each system like his blood pressure, kidneys, heart, and any other misfunctions in his body that is being over medicated, under medicated, his diet, his exercise, albeit, if he gets a MRI ask he be sedated because he might move if he has dementia and cannot fully be responsible for making decisions nor following instructions. There may be some kind of anti-stroke medication out there, is why I am saying this. I am also starting to tell everyone I know about this article attached below, and ask that you go to find Holosynch recordings available on line to increase Gamma Brain waves: https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/2016/04/22/study-alzheimers-patients-finds-low-frequency-sound-stimulation-improves-cognition/
You can not believe me, but I believe that all homes for people with dementia should have the music with gamma brain waves piped through their speaker systems. These tones should be what is called Isochronic tones, as they do not need headphones. Other sound therapy include what are called binaural beats and no senior I know is going to put on headphones.
https://www.centerpointe.com/
Also, get rid of Wifi at night if he has it, he might be sensitive to it and he needs a lot of rest, let alone, exercise, air, and I wish you the best.
Thanks for reading this. I hope this helps. I am not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like he is on his way to becoming redridden. Prepare. Please and my father loves that we go over, hold his hand and watch TV with him, often. This is all we can do now.
A friend of mine has experienced this and it took a long time before she got the correct diagnosis. A neurologist has determined that she has Parkinson's. Add this to the list of possibilities.
RE: FIL falling. I just recently discovered that my DH (and me too) is deficient in Vit D, Magnesium and Iodine. Since instituting Iodine (Kelp works), his cognition is improved. I put him on the Vit D and Magnesium and with the 3 supplements, he is actually showing a lot of improvement with his muscles as well as his brain function. He is 96. You can ask the physician to check for deficiencies - but the "daily requirements" are so low as to be almost pitiful - you might do better to start googling for the information like I did. I just wanted to share since improving the muscle mass will help to stop the falls. I also added Casein Protein to his daily supplement shakes - and everything is helping him. The Casein Protein is supposed to keep his muscles instead of them atrophying again. Everything can be googled and all was found at Amazon. Good Luck! Picking them up isn't much fun :(
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I also noticed that he had problems grabbing things. He would try to pick up the blanket, and his fingers were touching it but he couldn't close his fingers to grab it. There were other signs which I no longer recall. The thing is, all these little signs were warnings. Or maybe he was having those mini strokes and we didn't know. But finally, one day, he had The Stroke. His left side was affected and by his decision, he became bedridden.
I've notice for myself, if I squat down to pick something up off the floor, I have an issue trying to get myself back up to standing. It's more annoying than anything else.
Physical therapy should help if this situation is only age related decline. Have the therapist work on the issues at hand, such as balance.
When home therapy came, the therapist asked me if I had noticed the toes and I said YES. Seems, many seniors do this to keep from falling and it causes them to fall backwards if they try to turn or backup.
HOWEVER, I do hope your FIL has been to the doctor and properly diagnosed by now. My DH tests negative for dementia maintaining a score of 25 out of 30 - he has "age related memory loss" - but it doesn't change the problems or situation.
Your FIL should be eligible for HomeHealthCare and this can include a Physical Therapist if you ask for it.
3 times in two weeks. I lived 15 min away and by the time I got there, she was perfectly fine.
The last time she fell, I could not get her up off the floor and she seemed not to understand my commands for her to help me. She weighs 100 and nothing, but I can’t deadlift that much weight. I finally just called the ambulance. By the time they got there about 10 min later, she got right up.
Mom was dehydrated and her potassium was low. She was exhibiting odd mental issues while in the hospital that only I witnessed, but did report.
It was agreed that she could not go home and live alone. They put her in rehab to eventually transition to long term care. The hospital knew this and so did the nursing home.
I was in shock when the nursing home told me they were discharging her 17 days later - because that’s all Medicare would pay for. This was all decided by her diagnosis at hospital discharge - not by any progress (or lack thereof) she had made in rehab.
There was no way she was ready to go home. She can barely walk with a walker.
I immediately applied for Medicaid for her, but they denied because she had not been in the nursing home for at least 30 days. She had to come home with me or pay $160 per day out of pocket. We don’t have those kind of funds.
I’m getting ready to talk to an elder care attorney. You keep reading people’s replies to posts that say that if someone is in the hospital, you can refuse to accept discharge and they have to find a place for them. I don’t know if that’s true, but that’s why I’m seeking legal advice.
My husband fell with or without his walker. It wasn't until I gave the neuro guy a detailed description of the fall that the cause was thought to be something very close to narcolepsy, related to his dementia. I am NOT suggesting that is what your FIL has, but trying to make the point that the right diagnosis is vital.
You can not believe me, but I believe that all homes for people with dementia should have the music with gamma brain waves piped through their speaker systems. These tones should be what is called Isochronic tones, as they do not need headphones. Other sound therapy include what are called binaural beats and no senior I know is going to put on headphones.
https://www.centerpointe.com/
Also, get rid of Wifi at night if he has it, he might be sensitive to it and he needs a lot of rest, let alone, exercise, air, and I wish you the best.
Thanks for reading this. I hope this helps. I am not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like he is on his way to becoming redridden. Prepare. Please and my father loves that we go over, hold his hand and watch TV with him, often. This is all we can do now.
You can ask the physician to check for deficiencies - but the "daily requirements" are so low as to be almost pitiful - you might do better to start googling for the information like I did. I just wanted to share since improving the muscle mass will help to stop the falls. I also added Casein Protein to his daily supplement shakes - and everything is helping him. The Casein Protein is supposed to keep his muscles instead of them atrophying again. Everything can be googled and all was found at Amazon.
Good Luck! Picking them up isn't much fun :(