My mother recently and suddenly lost much of her mobility. We are looking into a chair lift for their home, but in the mean-time she still needs to get down a flight of stairs to exit her home. Are there any tricks for helping assist a very low-mobility senior on stairs? Or suggestions for temporary assistance? She lives in Bethesda, MD.
My Dad had caregivers helping him go up and down the stairs but eventually it came to a point where Dad became afraid of the stairs and the caregivers were becoming afraid he would fall even though they had a tight grip on him. Dad eventually said it was time to sell the house and move to an one level home, to which he did.
Also, rather than risk going up and down stairs, I'd set up a temporary bed on the first floor and avoid the stairs until she's better. Hopefully, there's a bathroom, but if not, I'd get a bedside toilet, use wash pan or sink to bathe. I'd try to avoid any unnecessary risks.
Do you know what is causing her mobility problems?
Our situation changed overnight. This morning she couldn't even stand at all, so we called an ambulance and EMTs to get her out of the house and to hospital. Hopefully we will soon know what is going on, and meanwhile we have a little more time to figure out her home living situation. I don't think she will be able to stay in her home. :(
It's so thoughtful when posters return to their thread and provide an update or at least acknowledge they received the responses, especially, when they have so much on their plate already.