My husband is getting very weak and has had two falls within the last two weeks. Beside Alzheimers he has Prostate Cancer that has spread to his bone. He does use a walker when he is reminded but his legs will give out even using it. They put him on casadex which after reading the message boards I should have not done so. Oh is he in stage 6. Does anyone has suggestions other than putting him in a nursing home to help keep him safe as long as I can. I do work and he goes to day Care three days a week, but he not able to do that right now and I have a caregiver two day a week. We are really lucky that he had not really hurt himself yet. My mind is all a jumble so hope I made some since.
Iowawife, welcome, you are new right? i am sorry your DH took a fall. that is what we all dread. I would think with 2 terminal illnesses your DH would defiantely qualify for hospice at this point and you say stage 6. call them and get them involved, it will give you some needed professional help and they will offer suggestions on how to help him best and you can review the meds with the dr. you should qualify for these benefits with hospice and they are really good and you will get some relief. my best, Divvi
Welcome Iowawife, So sorry that you and you husband are going through these diseases. Divvi's advice seems to be the best thing to do right now. Yes, we do all dread the time when our spouses can no longer walk. My husband is late stage 5 and is becoming more unsteady.
Do check into Hospice. Since Medicare removed the 6-12 month dying rule, all it takes is the doctor certifying that the person has a terminal disease and is declining.
Claude fell several times and since we couldn't get him up, I called 911 each time. The last time he grabbed onto the TV to catch himself, and pulled it over onto him. I called 911 and they took him to the hospital to get checked out. Thankfully, no fractures but alot of bruises.
He went into Hospice care about three weeks ago and they are wonderful to both of us. I knew I was overwhelmed and stressed out, but didn't realize how much until they were involved. He is stage 6.
He Iowawife I too recommend Hospice. Too many people wait until too long to call them. They came for my Mother for 6 months, until her passing. She was on a walker when they started coming. They are a great help but with my Mother, they showered and dressed her and did her bed but I had no help keeping her from falling. It is different in different states. I had to hire help to stay with her in order for me to get out. You may need to hire someone to stay with him while you work or else place him.
I agree there is no way to keep them from falling. I do make sure he has his walker and everytime he gets up, I keep an eagle eye on him until he sits down.
Unfortunately, the next step is a wheelchair.
If we go somewhere where walking is involved such as the grocery store, we put him in the wheelchair.
We have the falling problem now also. I plan on getting a walker for around the house, but it will be hard to get him to use it other places. He fell down the stairs to the basement the other day, but didn't hurt himself except to be sore the next day. He has agreed to wear a wrist alert bracelet when I am not home..anyone know of a good one? My mother had one but that has been years ago. I sent for a brochure on one from the Internet, but haven't received it yet. His knee also gave out yesterday when he was getting dressed..that's an unwelcome first. Since our return from vacation, his hip has been very painful for him. He finally has agreed to take some advil for it, but refuses to see the doctor.