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How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
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By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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She needs a full assessment. Yes, it is possible she is showing signs of dementia. Ask for her to be seen by a specialist. She may need meds for calming as well. It is hard to see them when they are agitated and unwell.
MimiKimi, no need to panic. Please calmly call 911 and have her transported to the ER. Of course she won't like it but you must do it for her own good. They need to check her heart and make sure she doesn't have a UTI.
If you are her Medical Representative (this is a HIPAA form) or her MPoA then make sure to take those documents with you to the ER.
Mimi, "she was going through all her things in search of her lost rosary....." in the dementia world, this is known as rummaging. It's quite possible mom does suffer from dementia which is secondary to the possibility of CHF and lung issues. Get her evaluated stat, at the ER preferably, and then tested for cognitive issues. My mother fell 95x while dealing with dementia and CHF, but once we got her into a wheelchair full time, at least the falls were more like slides.
It is common for elders to become weak or lose mobility and balance due to dementia, and falls are often what do them in.
Get a wheelchair for her now! She may need help getting from bed into wheelchair, and she will need help getting on/off the toilet - you don't want her to fall in the bathroom.
How is she getting up when she falls to the floor? Is she able to get up on her own? Are you picking her up? I would caution you not to endanger yourself (actually, both of you) trying to help her up, or trying to catch her as she is falling. You could fall on her, be hurt yourself, and then what? You can call 911 and ask for a lift assist. Some nice, handsome firemen will come and get her situated and check her for injury.
You can try and help her, but you can not prevent falls. This would be a good time to consider placing her in a care facility. She could still fall and get hurt, but they have more precautions in place, such as making all residents use a wheelchair, staff to help her get out of bed, and immediate treatment if she does fall and get hurt.
As Geaton777 has said, water in lungs with difficulty breathing especially when laying down, and swelling in legs/feet/ankles are classic indicators of congestive heart failure, or at least at risk for it due to fluid overload. In my opinion (and I am not a doctor either), the ER or professional examination is appropriate. My dad has chronic kidney disease and we are constantly struggling to balance hydration—too little and you are dehydrated with loads of related issues, too much and swelling and possible congestive heart failure. Hopefully they will check her heart and kidney functions and instruct you on proper use of water pills, if this is the problem. But I would not mess around with those symptoms….
"Actually, we installed camera in her room last night and from 7:00pm until 3:45am this morning, she didn’t sleep soundly at all! Sigh…she was going through all her things in search of her lost rosary. She has difficulty breathing due to water in lungs which seems to have gotten worse. She would doze off and wake up due to breathing. The pain she was having from the fall night before, didn’t seem to bother her after taking 2 Advils & cold pack. Her feet are swollen more so than before. She may have slept 3hrs in total. Could she possibly be suffering from dementia as well?"
I'm not a doctor but from what you describe she could have congestive heart failure. She needs to go to the ER or see her doctor immediately. There is medication that can help her. CHF can cause an elder to be confused.
My very elderly Aunt had CHF. Before she got medication for it she was noticeable more confused and the medication helped. But because she was 105 it caused her to have a massive stroke. Please take your Mom is today!
She is too frail to be living alone. It is no longer safe. Please find her a placement in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. Or hire caregivers for her overnight to help her get to bed, out of bed and to the bathroom, and dressed in the morning at the very least.
My mom, who is 97 1/2 years old, lives in a memory care assisted-living facility. While she was still at home (we moved her to the facility in December 2023), she would sometimes forget that she had difficulty walking and she would fall down. So, it wasn't that she couldn't walk (now she can't walk on her own at all) but that she forgot that she needed to be careful.
At home. She’s 92. She was doing better than expected until last few days. Just got her adjustable bed. But last night we didn’t have the safety rail due to the one we bought was for regular bed. We just rigged it so it there now. We also put a camera in her room so we can see. She has an emergency alert button that rings in my bedroom but she doesn’t seem to use it. Maybe she forgets. Idk…I know she is miserable and it’s hard to watch her like this.
My dad fell so many times we lost count. Falls are truly a curse of the elderly. Some of his happened while I was standing right next to him. Many cannot be prevented. You can take preventive steps such as having a clear path, removing rugs, using a cane, walker, or rollator, being treated for vertigo if that’s an issue, or physical therapy to regain strength. We did all of these with dad. I wish you the best, knowing it’s a frustrating issue
Is she in a facility or in your home? Falls are common. they can be caused by any number of things.
Medication. Check all meds to see if there are any that can cause dizziness, or problems with sleepiness. Poor balance. Make sure she is stable before standing, has good shoes that are no slip. And a way to steady herself before she stands. Poor eye sight. Make sure there is good lighting, no shadows. Any number of trip hazards. Make sure that there is nothing on the floor. Cords, throw rugs, clothes, shoes
If she uses a walker (or should be) make sure she uses it. Also make sure it is fitted for her. Some I have seen are down so low a person is hunched over and having to stare at the floor rather than where they are going.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
If you are her Medical Representative (this is a HIPAA form) or her MPoA then make sure to take those documents with you to the ER.
Best of luck with a difficult situation.
It is common for elders to become weak or lose mobility and balance due to dementia, and falls are often what do them in.
Get a wheelchair for her now! She may need help getting from bed into wheelchair, and she will need help getting on/off the toilet - you don't want her to fall in the bathroom.
How is she getting up when she falls to the floor? Is she able to get up on her own? Are you picking her up? I would caution you not to endanger yourself (actually, both of you) trying to help her up, or trying to catch her as she is falling.
You could fall on her, be hurt yourself, and then what?
You can call 911 and ask for a lift assist. Some nice, handsome firemen will come and get her situated and check her for injury.
You can try and help her, but you can not prevent falls. This would be a good time to consider placing her in a care facility. She could still fall and get hurt, but they have more precautions in place, such as making all residents use a wheelchair, staff to help her get out of bed, and immediate treatment if she does fall and get hurt.
"Actually, we installed camera in her room last night and from 7:00pm until 3:45am this morning, she didn’t sleep soundly at all! Sigh…she was going through all her things in search of her lost rosary. She has difficulty breathing due to water in lungs which seems to have gotten worse. She would doze off and wake up due to breathing. The pain she was having from the fall night before, didn’t seem to bother her after taking 2 Advils & cold pack. Her feet are swollen more so than before. She may have slept 3hrs in total. Could she possibly be suffering from dementia as well?"
I'm not a doctor but from what you describe she could have congestive heart failure. She needs to go to the ER or see her doctor immediately. There is medication that can help her. CHF can cause an elder to be confused.
My very elderly Aunt had CHF. Before she got medication for it she was noticeable more confused and the medication helped. But because she was 105 it caused her to have a massive stroke. Please take your Mom is today!
Falls are common. they can be caused by any number of things.
Medication.
Check all meds to see if there are any that can cause dizziness, or problems with sleepiness.
Poor balance.
Make sure she is stable before standing, has good shoes that are no slip. And a way to steady herself before she stands.
Poor eye sight.
Make sure there is good lighting, no shadows.
Any number of trip hazards.
Make sure that there is nothing on the floor. Cords, throw rugs, clothes, shoes
If she uses a walker (or should be) make sure she uses it. Also make sure it is fitted for her. Some I have seen are down so low a person is hunched over and having to stare at the floor rather than where they are going.
Has she been taken to see her primary care doctor? There are many health issues that can cause an elder to fall, even if they don't have dementia.
More information and an actual question would be help us to help you.
Thank you