Looking for Dad, redirect

CatsWithHandsAreTrouble

Good morning. Just wanted to pop in since I was up.

I "caught" mom out in the hall looking for dad. Monday he had a stroke and was hospitalized and against better judgement my older sister took her to see him Tuesday. He's doing great now and they're looking to see about discharge.

Mom thought he was dead. This wasn't the first she's thought that but this is the first she had "probable cause" if you will. I tried to reassure her that he's fine, he's safe, that I was sorry she was sad and if there was anything I could do to help her be happy again. "He likes cookies!" she said so I told her I'll go give him some and then asked if she'd like one.

We're eating some oatmeal cookies and watching a slideshow on tv of nature and things. I put on her favorite music to relax to and sat her down in bed. She's not crying anymore and I gave her her stuff doggy for extra comfort. I'm hoping my attempt to distract and redirect worked so she can sleep peacefully.

Anyway take care.

harshedbuzz

CWHAT-

Sound like a successful redirect with the cookies.

HB

CatsWithHandsAreTrouble

Thankfully yes! She's still asleep two hours later. We have to give her pills in a while and I feel bad that we have to wake her up. I'm not sure how long she was awake before she came out into the hallway and turned on the light which woke me up.

I've been looking into gates periodically to install in the hall so if/when she starts to wander, it wouldn't cause a tumble down the stairs. I guess now we'll start looking into baby monitors or bed alarms too so we'll know when she's up and needs help.

May flowers

Anything sweet makes a good redirect for my FIL too! Great news about your dad. 

We did something similar, a gate and also an alarm mat, that we put it in the hallway. His walking around/bathroom breaks didn’t wake us, but it would alert us if he was heading down the hall and toward the stairs. He never noticed the mat.

CatsWithHandsAreTrouble

Thank you May Flowers. 

An alarm mat sounds good! Mom and dad have a queen size bed and I wasn't sure of the logistics of a bed alarm would work with such a large bed and with two occupants. Mom might be aware enough to notice the mat but that's at least something else to add to the toolkit for consideration down the line.

Iris L.

Beware of gates at the top of stairs.  People might attempt to climb over and take a tumble.

Iris

CatsWithHandsAreTrouble

Iris, yes thank you. If we get the gate, it'll not be right at the stairs but a little back a few feet. Anything else I might miss?

jfkoc

I think there are floor alarms and door alarms. I know my husband would attempt to climb ove any "gate" in his way.

​fesk

I ended up using a motion sensor with an alarm that I could hear. I found the bed alarm in the bed was too sensitive. The motion sensor was tucked into a corner and I knew the minute she was trying to get out of the bed. Also, I was able to purchase a gate that was the same height as the railing. I think that might help deter trying to go over it. With the alarm in the room though, you'll be aware before she makes it to any gate.