Fall Prevention

Jean1104

My mom has recently become wheelchair bound and keeps attempting to stand or walk and falls. Does anyone have suggestions on how to help keep her in the wheelchair?

SusanB-dil

Hi Jean - welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason.

Could you maybe put the feet up on it? Or use a removable tray as a 'reminder' barrier not to get up. Possibly a wedge type seat cushion that tilts the knees higher than the hips - this makes it a little harder to actually stand up. Maybe put her walker right in front of the wheelchair, so she would about have to use it if she does get up?

There are also wheelchair seat alarms available, so it will sound if the weight is off the seat.

I know that attempting any type of seatbelt is considered a restraint, so I think you cannot use that unless it is doc ordered.

Sorry you are dealing with that

caregiving daughter

I recall my mom's memory care putting her in a chair that reclines a bit to making gravity help

terei

If she is at home, I would indeed use a soft restraint around her waist or possibly a removable tray in front of her. Restraint is not allowed in facilities…..apparently it is better to have them do a header onto the floor than to prevent it

Anonymousjpl123

unfortunately I don’t think there’s a great way. Even in memory care when my mom was still sort of able to get around they made me get her an aide to keep her from falling. It didn’t make sense to me, but there was not way they could have eyes on her all the time.