My husband has been in assisted living since December 21st. He is in their 4th level care, they have 5 levels of care with the 5th needing most care and attention. Recently he has started losing his balance and falling. The 1st time, he slid right off the chair onto the floor. He wasn't injured. The 2nd time, he was leaning over picking up things that weren't there and fell on his head. He ended up with a bump and cut on his head. The 3rd time, he was leaning over again and fell on his head. This time, no injury. For those of you dealing with someone at this level, do you have any estimates on how long it will be before they aren't able to walk on their own or may have to start using a wheel chair?
This is just my opinion, but with his balance problems increasing, I would insist on a wheelchair now. Unfortunately, his situation is going to worsen, not get better, so why wait for more falls and possible serious injuries?
Diane T, your husband obviously needs to be more carefully watched! His visual perception is shot and his balance is too. My husband can't be left alone, and can't stand up without assistance, but once standing, he can walk, but holds your hand in a death grip so he can walk. One of us is close to him should he lose his balance to keep him from harming himself if he stumbles. There is a chair like a wheelchair that has four wheels and a tray, so when my husband is in Hospice Hospital for five days each month, he gets that chair. They put the tray on it and he can't fall out or tip over. We put his puzzles and battery powered toothbrush and a National Geographic on it, so he has something to do if he chooses...or doze if he chooses. And they feed him his meals in the chair as well. They also have someone assigned to him to walk with him while holding his hand as he goes up and down the hall. They say he is walking less each time, but he still walks. You might see if they have this type of four wheeled chair with a tray that they can try on your husband.