Our biggest problem is helping her to sit up so that we can then help her get off the bed, she won't/can't hold up her upper back so her legs will be in the right position on the edge of her bed but her upper back will be laying down on the bed still. Any tips would be very much appreciated.
:)
my LO also has problems getting out of the bed. as grandma1954 pointed out, an electric hospital bed is very useful.
also, it was thanks to this forum that i discovered the existence of an M rail. you attach it under the bed, and it helps a lot to get out of bed. does your mother have some strength in her arms/hand? then she can grab the M rail, in addition to having the electric bed in upright position.
https://www.drivemedical.com/us/en/products/beds/bed-rails/m-rail-home-bed-assist-handle/p/1222P
if your LO is lying in bed:
place your arm under your LO's knees, place your other arm under their back, and then in 1 quick/smooth movement, swivel your LO into an upright position, so they're now seated on the edge of the bed.
That would go a long way in helping her sit up. You raise the head of the bed as far up as it will go and this will support the back while raising her.
Once she is in an upright position swing the legs over the edge of the bed.
This will be easier if you have a Sit To Stand. Once the torso is upright you put the harness/belt around her, that provides more support then turning her placing the feet on the platform and hooking the loops to the Sit To Stand. The machine will then support her as she is raised up. You can then move her from the bed to a chair, the commode or toilet or anywhere else you wish.
If you do not need the sit to stand now the hospital bed will help a lot.
Meds should be assessed by neurologist, levodopa works after 20-30 minutes in the morning.