My father can no longer get up on his own and we cannot lift him to get him up. He fights us when its time to use the bathroom and because of his cancer he doesn't know whats going on so everytime he tries to get up and we have to medicate him and restrain him until he goes in his diaper. How do we make his quality of life better.
I wish you luck and do try to ask him to do it for you; perhaps that would help.
Hugs, AM
and my mother simply refused to walk to the point where she has lost function in her legs. The elderlies are all different. My dad, who is home with 24/7 family caregiving, is wearing them more precautionary. He is able to use his walker to get to the toilet but his timing can be off a bit. We ask if he needs to change his "pants" short for underpants. Dad does not mind them and they prevent the embarrassment of wet spots on his outer garments. Be careful with your dad. While it can be difficult assisting him in using equipment in bed, bedside like a portable commode or getting to an equipped bathroom with other assists is definitely in his best interest. My mother is wasting away in bed. My father is up all day and as active as he can be given his limitations.
Check with her doctor about getting a lift. Medicare should pay for it if the doctor request it. They provided a bedside commode for Mother.
and is being restrained &in a diaper is Not DIGNITY. I agree Darcy/Diane.
Explain WHY you are doing this and they will help with what solutions will be right.
Please dont just leave him in a bed.CAll Monday
in the bed.You can ask a nurse to come in or Aides.I am sure it is all part of what he needs too..and that is Vital so he is Comfortable and has variety..not just in bed.
sunshine helps everyone..&enjoying laughter.Look into it Monday.Plenty of Options so that he stays comfortable&with a Variety of views&foods&juices/water. teas..
Francis
I would ask the doctor if he could benefit from PT to regain enough strength for
standing with a walker and transferring to a wheelchair and bedside commode.
There are also transfer devices(transfer boards) which will allow him to move from the bed to a bedside commode with a drop arm without having to stand. It does require some upper body arm strength on his part. Frequently people can use this method for part of a day but they become too weak to use it repeatedly.
I would not rush to a nursing home. I would get additional home health aides to assist. The NH have more staff, but they will not be able to do anything you are not doing with additional or sufficient staff.
Having a good patient lift will make life for you and your father so much better. Do get training on the lift and make sure your father understands the procedure is to help him get into his wheelchair etc. If he is able to go to another room for meals, to watch tv etc his spirits will likely improve.
Good luck. Whenever the elderly person loses a function, it takes time to reconsider how to best take care of him. With some money, thought and training generally things can be reworked.
I know you are working hard. Get whatever you need to help him (equipment and personnel wise). Take care of yourself as his caregiver--eat right and sleep. He needs you being healthy and not exhausted.
Elizabeth