Hi. I am wondering about a lift for my dad so we can get him up off the floor. We are taking measures to keep him from ending up on the floor in the first place, but I'd like an option for if he does end up there again. He can walk and stand OK but cannot get up off the floor. This lift at Amazon looks like it may work. Any advice? Thanks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZWP3FG3/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4
Also, you could hurt yourself trying to help him.
The best advice is to call EMTs and have them get him up when he falls. They are professionals.
No lift on Amazon is worth hurting oneself over or your dad.
Perhaps a visit to his doctor is in order to find out exactly why he is falling in the first place.
My late husband who'd had a massive stroke at 48, ended up developing vascular dementia in his late 60's and became a fall risk. There was a 2 month period when I had to call 911 9 times to have them come get him up off the floor and into bed.
And each time they came they were very kind and professional, and there was no charge.
Please don't risk hurting yourself or anyone else.
In most areas the call and response will cost you nothing.
If they transport to the hospital that is where the $$$ comes in.
Paramedics will ask someone to sign a waiver indicating that you have declined transport.
BUT what calling 911 will do in addition to getting dad up off the floor is the paramedics will know there is a vulnerable person living at that address. They will know dad and whoever is caring for him. Dad will know them and not be overly frightened when they show up again.
AND..They are trained to help someone up. They are trained to that they will not hurt dad or themselves.
What I used to do was while I was on the phone talking to the dispatcher I would lock up the dogs, put a note on the front door "door open walk in" and then I would go back and sit with my Husband. The paramedics would walk in I would call out and they would go to the room where we were. Did this 9 times was never charged, the guys were awesome usually in and out of the house in 5 minutes.
I probably would never have been able to use a "device" as my Husband would not have been able to comprehend instructions.
You're spot on about 911. It doesn't cost anything if there's no transport to the hospital.
I've had to call many, many times for clients who fell in their homes.
Just as many times was I met with being begged not to by clients and families and pleas of could I just "try" to get them up.
Nope. I will not try because I know better. Always call EMS. Never take a chance. You could get injured yourself trying to humor the person who has fallen or their family because they're embarrassed or don't want to be on the radar of EMS. You'd be surprised how many people believe that calling the paramedics to help will mean they get sent to a nursing home.
If someone is on the floor, call 911. Let the paramedics handle it the correct and safe way.
The way you used the word "disillusioned" indicates you don't know what it means. You've confused it with "deluded" FYI.
I'm obviously going to get no advice about lifts here. I concede that calling 911 may be the best option, but I do not yet know that based on the responses here as no one spoke directly to the lift I asked about, or about any other lifts. I will continue to investigate the lift option elsewhere. I find it hard to believe that these lifts exist but that there is never a good reason to use them. Thanks.
Honestly, if your LO is falling regularly enough now to warrant a $300+ "pick-up" device then it is only a matter of time until there will be a hip break or a head injury. At that point the device will be moot and you'll be stuck with it.
If you're worried about them going to the ER if you call 911 for help, your LO can create a DNH document (Do Not Hospitalize).
Have you thought about physical therapy for this person to strengthen their legs? Are you sure they don't have some other issue, like Parkinsons or balance problems?
IF she remembers to push her call alert button on her watch, then the calling tree begins. Usually, SIL is the first to make it to the house and she lets the EMT's in, b/c they are called when the alert is made. SIL cannot lift her mother, nor can Dh or his OB. All 3 have bad backs. The EMT's have gone out to do nothing more than put her back in her recliner or bed, depending on the time of day.
She doesn't remember much, but she IS aware that if one of the kids can no longer help her on a daily basis, she is going into a NH. So the EMT's have the code to the door and let themselves in.
Her doorways and hallways are very narrow and do not allow for any kind of 'lifting' equipment.
The EMT's do check her over and she always refuses transport to the hospital (which is her right). Only if the POA says she has to go will she go. And the POA is my DH who will NEVER make that call.
See if you can arrange home physical therapy for your dad. Ask the therapist for ideas on how to assist dad safest should he fall.
You could show the devices to therapist for feedback.
i called the station directly.
they said to:
call 911 , it’s not an emergency DH Fell and I need lift assist.”
1st time, no issue.
2nd time, the 911 operator told me… 911 is for emergencies and hung up.
3rd time I called the FD , who said I needed to call 911 , etc, and the prior day 911 opera hung up on me immediately..
the captain was surprised..
so do yourself a favor, get LO evaluated by primary doctor. And talk to primary about falls. My DH fell 3 days in a row. Head injuries? I believe so. Yup.. it did him no good. Think he may incurred other injuries…
Now he’s on hospice care.
and it’s not good.
On the many occasions when I had to call 911 to help get my late husband up off the floor, the EMT's were ALWAYS very kind and helpful and when I would apologize that they had to come out again, they would always say not to worry as that was part of their job.
And you're right, one never knows if a fall can actually hurt or harm a person, so the EMT's(in my case)or fire fighters(in others)coming to assist can help determine if in fact the person who has fallen needs to be taken to the hospital.
I'm sorry you had such a negative experience. I hope yours is the exception and not the rule.
my city it ok; the first time I called 911 for lift assist, the operator was cordial enough and took my call.
I think some operators for 911 think they have a sense of power. Your EMERGENCY as you will is in the hands of the agent who took your call.
A year or so back, I witnessed a short policeman struggling with a taller homeless man. I called 911. The female agent was just having fun, trying to get me frazzled, wouldn’t let me explain the emergency. She’d cut me off in mid sentence. I finally decided to stop talking. I told her never mind… officer down.. officer down.. and hung up.
That incident with officer and homeless encounter hit the news…
anyway… i have been up all night.. and needed to vent..,
thinking these 911 calls are getting misdirected when you call from a cell ohone
I get frazzled at times…