Transition to wheelchair

otfgirl750

has anyone dealt with transition to a wheelchair? Mom has started falling but refuses to stay in or use wheelchair. What do we do?

SDianeL

not much you can do. You could try a chair alarm to notify you when she gets up. Is she at home or in a facility? Many facilities have rules against restraints. The only other alternative is a caregiver by her side at all times to assist her. Even then she could still fall.

April23

When my LO first transitioned, it was VERY hard to keep him in the wheelchair. Without the chair alarm and wheelchair lap belt, I'm not sure what we would have done to keep him from falling. The lap belt is technically not a restraint since he can unbuckle it. We tell him it's just a reminder that he needs to ask for help before he tries to stand. He resisted alot at first but it has gotten better.

We also encourage sitting in his recliner with his feet up. This gives him a break from the wheelchair and is harder for him to get out of. However he was resistant to that too at first and is only now beginning to sit there with any regularity.

Even two years later, the memory of getting up and walking is still there occasionally, although it's much less often now. It's a very tough transition to make, especially if mom was mobile before, she won't understand why she can't walk.

Her living situation will dictate what safety measures you can implement.