She is very fragile and extremely paranoid and frightened that she will fall. I'm not able to lift her myself and the family doesn't want to use the hoyer lift yet. Do you have an pointers/suggestions for me so I can get her to stand so I can at least put her into a chair or on the commode? I have a bad back due to an injury many years ago.
If you are not confident using the Hoyer lift, and the family has some deep-seated but unspecified objection to it but no alternative suggestions to make, I recommend you call in an occupational therapist to *show* you how to operate the lift safely and with minimum stress to your patient. You watch, then you do while the OT guides you. It is fiddly - at first - and it requires care and concentration, but it is neither rocket science nor rally driving.
There simply is no safer way to move her, not for her or for you.
Take care of that back of yours, you don't get another one.
I hope for Clara's sake that the family comes to realize that her needs have changed. Loosing a loving caregiver is not their cleverest move.
I hope it works out for you. Hugs!
A back injury can potentially end your career. Will the family support you?
At times as paid caregivers (such as myself, a RN) we may want to do it all ourselves but maturity is knowing your limits in doing something that may harm you.
I think what they are asking is unreasonable. Obviously a hoyer lift is in that house to assist with transfer, so the family are aware there is an issue with getting out of bed.
If you have reservations, call your agency and inform them of this situation. But don’t donate your well being - you’ve got to stay healthy to take care of you.
Good luck.
If she can help then grab bars like these
https://www.agingcare.com/products/bedcane-136322.htm
https://www.agingcare.com/products/tension-mounted-transfer-pole-grab-bar-445149.htm
and repositioning sheets like this
https://www.agingcare.com/products/positioning-transfer-sheet-448301.htm
And search YouTube for helpful videos on transfer techniques.
My mom also has this horrible disease. Luckily she's still in stage 2, but I see the decline more and more.....
Positioned the wheelchair parallel to the bed, next to the headboard, facing the foot of the bed.
Got the bed raised to wheelchair height & raised the back up.
Had her sit up, helped swing her legs over and put feet on the floor.
Adjusted the chair so it was as close to her knees as possible.
Had her lean forward, put my arms under her armpits and told her to give me a hug. She would attempt to grasp my arms.
Bent my knees and pulled her up and pivoted her into the chair. It was less than a 90 degree move.
At first she was able to help a little but eventually was a dead weight, but it still worked. But Mom was 95 lbs and my back is good.
Great idea, thank you! My husband has lewy body dementia. I can see the time is coming, that one day I will need to lift him from the bed. He has fallen many times in the house. I really struggle to lift him. I am small person. He weights around 135. But, when I try too lift him. It seems like 200 lbs.
Again, thank you for all your input.....but you really shouldn't pass judgement if you don't know the whole story......
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