How to handle Mom falling out of bed in memory care facility?
I visited my mom today, and one of the caregivers told me my mom had fallen out of her bed last night. They said she was crawling on the floor asking for help. They looked her over and do not think she has sustained any injury from the fall and has no bruises. This person said it was the second time.
I am not her POA, so nobody informed me when it happened. I just happened to arrive there and this individual told me. UGH!
My mom has extremely limited mobility and gets around by shuffling her feet in her wheelchair. She is very weak. She has however gotten herself to the toilet and to bed on her own successfully. I do not believe she actually "should" be attempting any of these things on her own, but am unsure how anyone can monitor a resident 24/7.
I think that first, mom needs a lower bed and a padding next to the bed to absorb any future falls. Her bed is tucked into a corner with only one open side.
How would you handle this? What are the best practices in this situation? Is the staff missing anything in her care?
Thank you.
7 Answers
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Mom would fall out of bed, so fall mats were placed on the floor. Mom would scrap her legs on the hospital bed while trying to get out of bed, the mats helped her from getting major injury. Then the Staff tried placing pillow around her but then Mom was unable to turn over, and that caused her back to hurt. If only hospital beds were wider to help with that situation.
When out of her room and in a wheelchair, placed near the nursing station, Mom would try to stand up, thus falling. Or bend down to pick a piece of lint off the carpet, and tumble out of the wheelchair.
The Staff tried a "seat-belt" but Mom was the master at unbuckling that seat-belt (she would do that all the time in the car for years on end when she didn't have dementia). Next step was placing a pillow under her legs, so that kept her busy trying to pull out that pillow. Finally a reclining wheelchair was used, again with the pillow under her knees. That lessen the falls.
Bed rails are no longer used in most states as they caused death from choking.
(Roll into bedrail and unable to move and asphyxiate.)
You could also try a wedge that can be placed under the sheet that may prevent her from "falling out of bed" Even a "pool noodle might be enough to prevent the roll.
I am wondering how exactly is she falling out of bed.
Is it that she is trying to stand and get out of bed and that she falls?
Is it that she is rolling out of bed much like a child does when they transition from a crib to a regular bed. And no rails to prevent the rolling.
Rails are not permitted as they are considered a restraint.
It is possible that a large wedge may also be considered a restraint.
Do have them order a Hospital Bed it will make things easier
Each time I visit my mom, I see something different to feel appalled by. You offer good suggestions that 'should' be simple to address. Thanks.
Here is an example of what I'm talking about on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Universal-Mattress-Perimeter/dp/B00V86G39C
Good luck to you.