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Spouse with cognitive problems and finances
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Dec 30, 2022 | Replies (290)Comment receiving replies
Bill fell again - 3 time in less than a month. This time Robin (who just had foot surgery) nor I could get him up and he couldn't get himself up. He kept insisting we pull him up and we couldn't so he would get mad at us. Called 911 and it took 3 physically fit, big guys, to get him on his feet. Then they caught him as he started to fall again. He protested them helping him to bed but fortunately they ignored him and one on each side got him into bed.
At which point, after they left, he started singing to himself. He is asleep now. Robin was reluctant to call 911 as he wasn't injured other than a couple of small scrapes and bruises. She was afraid of taking them away from someone who needed help in a critical situation. We kept trying to get through to the police non-emergency help line but weren't able to (call went in 'push #' in a constant circle.) They would have sent a patrol car to help him up if we could have reached them.
Both Bill and Robin never want to ask for help. I'm a lot more likely too. I think I'm right lol.
Replies to "Bill fell again - 3 time in less than a month. This time Robin (who just..."
@billchitwood While each community is different, when I worked as an emergency dispatcher, we would send a firetruck with paramedic or the ambulance, for a "lift assist". Police non-emergency is fine, if there is nothing physically wrong, but how can you be sure?
@janet7 is right, a fall with injury may be not too far off. I am so glad you were able to sell your house and move in with your daughter!
Ginger
Good morning, @billchitwood I hope your morning is going OK.
My wife went through a period of increasing instability, too. It was a challenging time as she would insist she didn't need any type of assistance. We went almost instantly from posey belt to cane to walker, then a bit of a dustup before she accepted the wheelchair. It took a fair amount of cajoling, but after the first ride, she became instantly comfortable with the chair. I think, even though she wouldn't admit it, she was relieved to not have to worry about falling. We ended up with two after a while. First, a travel size for indoors. It took me a bit of time until I found one with the measurements that allowed for access through all of our doors and a tighter turning radius. Then I got one wider, thicker tires, etc. for outdoor rides.
Both my mom and my eldest sister fought any kind of adaptation to help them with their mobility, until they each experienced a fall, resulting in broken hips. During my mom's rehab she repeated told me how she wished she'd listened and avoided her fall.
I hope all goes well for you and Bill today.
Strength, Courage, & Peace
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Glad to hear Bill didn’t hurt himself, but without using a cane or walker, he will keep falling.
Next time (and you know he will fall again) he might hit his head and then he will need surgery and then rehab (if he is fortunate enough to survive) and the ramifications are not good at all. Next time he falls, tell him you will get him up if, and only if, he promises to use a cane or walker (walker preferred). Good luck!