Dad has advanced Alzheimer’s, unable to reason with him or redirect- he is unable to retain safety measures taught by PT/OT. He is still Ambulatory but with shuffling and stooped gait. He has a constant urge to walk like he has someplace to go- (worked every day of life) will not sit still for any diversions or activities. He can’t remember to use any Ambulatory aids as never needed before his ability to retain new information was lost. They are more of a trip hazard. Climbs out of wheelchair or tilt chairs. He is falling every other day sometimes multiple times a day- with a few trips to ED for stitches. Have tried multiple medication adjustments. Short of completely chemically sedating him I don’t know how to keep him safe. Staff has been great but he needs continuous 1:1 which a nursing home cannot provide. He is private pay and at 13k month can’t also afford round the clock private duty. I live in fear of the call that he has broken a hip or other injury and I know this is an awful quality of life knowing how proud a man he was/is.
I'm so sorry that you are facing this. It's one of the most frustrating things about caring for elders. They fall! All the time. And there is very little one can do about it.
Is he kept in his wheelchair near the nursing station during the day, where he can be monitored?
Is there anything that he used to do, that he enjoyed, while sitting down? Maybe he would enjoy tinkering with a box of soft mini stuffed animals? Playing cards?
I really think your Dad is past an AL. A LTC facility would more likely have him in a wheelchair with a monitor attached. Also, there are mattresses made concaved so they don't roll out of bed. Matts put on the floor so if they do, they fall a little softer. Also, the beds can be lowered inches from the floor. ALs are not required to do this. Also the ratio to aides per resident is much lower in an AL than a NH. ALs are just that, for assisting. Not 24/7 caregivers.
In Moms LTC she had a Geri chair that she could scoot around in. It was slanted towards the back so she had a hard time getting out of. It was more comfortable than a wheelchair. Had a high back. Cushions next to the head if she fell asleep and it reclined.
Nursing homes have promulgated this so long that everyone believes it.
Yes they can. To defer the employee cost of extra staff, they can contract a worker with an agency for those times when 1:1 is necessary.
Facilities have told me that is is just too much extra paperwork.
It is easier to tell the world that they can't.
The shuffling and stooped gait. (gait aphasia) is more likely FTD, not Alzheimer's.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/symptoms-frontotemporal-disorders
https://www.nextavenue.org/ftd-dementia-misdiagnosed/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg-_V7IWE4gIVjMpkCh1PxgUqEAMYASAAEgKxoPD_BwE
It must be treated differently. Alzheimers medication actually worsen symptoms.
It took the medical field 9 years to recognize FTD in Christy. It is a game changer.
We keep her at home for $9,000 per month.
That is 3 shifts of attendant care.
24 hours x 30.8 days per month x $12 attendant wage
Through an agency, it would be more as the agency collects a
It can be less if family volunteers hours.
Christy needs constant attention, She is hand fed and hydrated continuously.
She shuffles, head down all day. The most difficult is occupying her.
Her mind is empty and curious, but cannot retain past the moment.
I get to court her 50 times a day.
The disease is hellish. Christy specifically has Behaviour Variant FTD or bvFTD
We were never partakers of drugs, tobacco or alcohol. Pharmaceuticals have adverse affects, even sleep medication, but we discovered cannabis edibles.
Cannabis has been the answer since 2013.
From hellish to enjoying every moment with her.