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They had an alarm on the chair but now gone. He recently had physical therapy and she got him walking better. But the staff quit walking him after therapy stopped. He has fallen three times in the last two days , what should I do?

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When my Dad started to fall more, I bought him a rolling walker [has hand brakes and a seat] and that has really helped with limiting the falls. Well worth the price :)
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Were there any medicine changes made recently? What was he doing when he fell? Such as, going to the bathroom, going to mealtime....

I definitely think a walker of some sort is in order, or a cane. But why do they say they quit walking him. Have you asked them that? Does he have Parkinson's or any symptoms similar to Parkinson's? Frozen feet, shuffling gait, leaning way over (that changes his center of gravity), that sort of thing?

It's never good when they fall. Has he broken anything? Needed stitches or hit his head? I know you are concerned and rightfully so.
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Questions to ask at the care meeting, or ask the head of social work to find out for you.

1. Why was pt discontinued ?
2. Why no more chair alarm?
3. What level of self mobility is dad cleared for? Is he independent ? Independent with a cane or walker? Cleared for self transfer? Must call for help when transferring?
4. What devices have they trained him on? Cane, walker, rolling walker? Have they ordered him one?

5. What is their plan, going forward, for preventing falls? What is causing these falls? Have any of them resulted in fractures or head injuries? How do they know that they have not? Have they done xrays.?

Also, have his doctor write orders for an aide to walk him at least once a dsy.

Let us know what you find out.
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He does have a walker , no med changes, most of the time I
He is going to the bathroom or to the dinning room.PT was discontinued because therapist said he no longer needed it , but she also said that he needed assistance to do to meals and she was the one who had the alarm but in his chair, as far as the chair alarm but being used any more the NH said he was ringing for help but obviously he hasn't been ringing. I asked them if they were walking him after PT was over and they said no that it was more important that he go down to meals rather than walking. He has not broken anything yet . They feel that most of the time he's simply slid to the floor . I feel that the NH needs to be doing more to make sure he has help to the restroom and to meals, since that is the only time he really is walking.
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Nd, you're going to have to learn the lingo!

He no longer needed pt? Because he was independent or because he plateaued (wasn't making progress?)

Does dad know he needs to ring for help?

THEY FEEL HE SLID TO THE FLOOR.? At least where my mom is, an unwitnessed fall requires a call to poa and trip to the ER for examination and xrays.

it's their job to keep him safe. They really aren't doing their job. You might want to mention that if he falls again without them improving his care, you will be forced to call both the ombudsman and the joint commision. Because, gee, you really don't seem to be able to keep my dad safe, and after all, that's what you're being paid to do, isn't it?

None of this is to make YOU feel bad. I learned all this stuff here.
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Pt felt that he was doing so much better that he longer needed a physical therapist was needed . Dad has some dementia and can be very argumentive and he feels like he can do it by hisself and won't ask for help , which is why I liked the chair alarm . They might have notified the physician but have never taken him for X-rays . I feel that they aren't doing their job and it's kinda like ( well he slid to the floor again , not hurt . And they don't know what to do with him. I am definately going to call the physician and then the nursing home addminstration in the morning, too see what they are going to do about this
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Is he in a wheel chair? If so, ask to have a seat belt installed. Most states have rules about restraints but if he can show that he can open the seat belt, they may agree to have it in use. After too many falls, I begged for some type of restraint for my loved one. They hesitatingly did allow a 'seat belt'. It was perfect, no more falls after that. BUT my Mom was only supposed to walk when someone was there. Her facility stopped walking her as they didn't want her to think she could just get up on her own. I walked her several times a week (it drove the facility crazy). But even with moderate dementia, she did get to understand that she only walked with me. If you count on the facility, it may be a very LONG wait!
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He does use a wheelchair when he has to go to the dining room . Usually the falls occur when he is getting up out of his chair with the help of his walker. Then walking around the bed and turning around to sit down in his wheelchair. I don't know what they don't just have him transfer from the wheelchair into his chair and from the chair into the wheelchair.
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I'm so sorry your dad is having these troubles, and you having to both soothe him and also be advocating for him in dealing with NH staff. I wonder if he could do more PT or OT to regain strength? If he is so weak then balance gets bad too, and can't correct a fall before it happens I will send healing thoughts his & your way.
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