He is now bedridden

nanasharon

My DH became totally bedridden a couple of days ago. He can't support his body anymore or sit up in the wheelchair. I asked the nurse what I could do to know if he tries to get out of the bed since he would wind up on the floor. She ordered a bed alarm. So the bed alarm is pretty cool. It looks like a long heating pad that lays across his butt. It has an alarm plugged into it that hangs on the side of the bed. If he tries to lift his butt it goes off and I can hear in the other room.

Chance Rider

I’m sorry to hear that your husband is now completely bedridden. That adds another level of difficulty, to an already stressful situation.

The bed alarm sounds like a good solution. I had looked at one for my husband since he sleeps in a different room. It was a mat that he’d step on if he attempted to get up, I’ll check out the type you described since it wouldn’t be a trip hazard.

Hope the alarm works well for you!

jgreen

Hi @nanasharon Is your DH on Hospice?

nanasharon

Yes, he's been on hospice about 3 months now.

nanasharon

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/280479#Comment_280479

The alarm is working great. If he wakes up and tries to position himself to get up I immediately hear an alarm. No more falls.

Chance Rider

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/280509#Comment_280509

That’s good to hear! Thanks for the update.

Abby627

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76899/he-is-now-bedridden

Can I ask if you care for him alone and how you are managing that? I have no intentions of using MC but do worry about how I will do this alone.

nanasharon

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/280744#Comment_280744

My youngest son lives with me. I don't think I could do it without him. I feel very much like a widow even though my husband is in the next room.

nanasharon

You can do it but you'll need support from friends and family. Volunteers are wonderful to come for any amount of time to give you that occasional break. It's been a learning curve with each new stage but after a couple of days and trial and error you'll manage to figure it out. Hospice has been awesome.

CarolH2

I’m 5 months with my husband of 59 years. He has not known I am his wife for a year and a half. He thinks I am a caregiver and now two or three. I wish I had that much help! New the past two days, he will not let me touvv cc h him and change him to his clean night briefs (tabs and overnights). What shall I do? Getting aggressive.

jgreen

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/280952#Comment_280952

Welcome @CarolH2 Glad you found us.

You responded to a post about a loved one (LO) being bedridden. I encourage you to copy and paste your post to a ‘New Discussion’ to have better luck receiving all kinds of advice and support.

With the sudden change in behavior (2 days not letting you touch DH) he might have an infection, like a urinary tract infection. I suggest you contact his physician and discuss these new behaviors. Tell the doctor this is a sudden change from his ‘current baseline’. (This language alerts the doctor that this is serious) DH may need to be tested, and may need additional or change in medications.

Do come back and let us know how you are doing. We care.