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 How do I get Mom to listen?
 
 5/26/2008 6:35:43 AM
User is offlineLoriG
1 posts


How do I get Mom to listen?
My mothers balance is getting really bad and she has fallen twice during the night getting up to use the restroom.  I have purchased her a cane, walker and a bedside toilet and she refuses to use any of them.  She has been very lucky and has not injured herself during either of her falls but I know it is just a matter of time before she does.  I also know that at her age (87) and with the dementia that she would not survive a stay in a rehab facility.  I have tried everything with her including begging but she still just refuses to use any of the items that I have gotten for her.  Does anyone have any suggestions?
 5/28/2008 8:13:10 AM
User is offlinegranniescloset
4 posts


Re: How do I get Mom to listen?
Hi Lori
I have to tell you the truth, you may not get mom to listen, its a trial and error thing. Your mom is now set in her way and with dementia she may not remeber to use any of the things you have gotten her, she will go with her instincts from what she has learned. Even though she is 87-at sometimes her mind is not.
Start by leaving on a light so that she can see,and clear a path from her room to the bath room,also get her a lower bed if you can-not to low but one just right where she can get out of bed and you know she won't fall-if its not to much buy railings and screw them in the walls along the pathway to the bathroom-instincts will be to grab the rail if she starts to fall.
This is the best advice i can give-they are some of the things my family did with my grandmother-as well as having someone there thru the night that got up with her every time she had to go.My grandmother had Dementia and sometimes would not sleep at night and had to go to the bathroom all the time-just to get up.
Good luck.
 6/11/2008 8:23:29 PM
User is offlinedragonflies612
1 posts


Re: How do I get Mom to listen?
I sure do identify with your situation, and I think the other responder on the list has some good suggestions for you, like the clear path to the bathroom & the night light. In my work to help persons with memory decline, I often observe the physical therapists who work with people to practice getting up out of bed. Generally, they will work with a person to practice the following steps: (1) After awakening, sit up against the back of the bed, (2) Then, swing your feet over the side of the bed and sit there for a few seconds, (3) After that, reach for your walker or cane, (4) Slowly stand up and wait a few seconds, and (5) Then, walk to the bathroom. When I first observed a physical therapist working on these steps with a patient at a long-term care facility, I thought, "This will never work!" However, after two weeks (of daily) helping the person to practice these steps--she started doing them automatically! While I am not a physical therapist, I have seen this kind of practice work well. I noticed that the therapist focuses on showing the person the steps--rather than relying on the person with dementia to remember the words/steps on his her own. I think a key for you might be to think about how you communicate with your mom. Then, you might try to build the steps of getting up from bed into your own style of communication with her. In my experience, just getting a person to swing his/her legs over the side of the bed and sit there for a few seconds before standing up can work wonders!
Best wishes to you!
 
 6/24/2008 11:39:43 AM
User is offlinemanoucherie
3 posts


Re: How do I get Mom to listen?Its
Oh how I know the feeling!  At some point, you can only do so much and thats it.  If she falls its not your fault, and sometimes you simply cannot get them to listen, especially if she has any dementia.  Judgement goes first.  Good luck and hang in there.

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