How have you handled this care issue?
We seem to have reached a new stage in this affair in that my DH is no longer able to stand from sitting for me to get him onto the toilet. He seems to just get stuck and can’t connect how to stand from sitting. Although he can still perform this activity, it’s getting more and more frequent that I can’t, even with physical prompts, can’t get him to stand. This impacts just about everything on a daily basis, but the toilet most of all. We’ve just gotten a hoyer lift, but I’m very uncomfortable trying to use it alone, especially since I have back issues. Unfortunately, he is not able to offer any physical assistance. He is very stiff with limited range of motion in lower extremities and often has a strong backward thrust so getting him into and maintaining a sitting position is almost impossible for one person. I’m feeling quite despondent because I’m afraid I won’t be able to do the minimum of keeping him clean. Our hospice caregiver commented today that he is getting worse and may get to the point of not being able to get out of bed since I won’t be able to deal with his needs alone. Anyone have any insights or suggestions on how to deal with this issue?
Comments
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Mom got to the point that she could not physically walk to the restroom with her walker. The last time was with three staff members escorting her- one on either side and one behind. She was just too weak and unstable. From then on, she was bedbound with sponge baths and on Depends. It was just 10 days or so before her death. In mom’s case, she was reducing her calorie intake to the point that ‘ it wasn’t enough to sustain life’.
So I would put your husband on Depends and change him laying in bed. Talk to hospice.
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they make a gait belt to help them stand but with your bad back that would be risky. If hospice doesn’t have any ideas sadly him becoming bedridden is possible. So sorry.
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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