I do not wish to clutter up the list by going on about falls any
more, except to clarify that I got some personal replies as though I
were a nurse or health care worker - I'm nothing - I just take care of
Bill as a friend. At the Nursing Home, I was a computer/receptionist
type job and I was only trained "not" to pick up someone who fell - in
fact, the nurses aides were not allowed to pick someone up either. We
always called the head nurse, and he went through quite a lot -s
ometimes taking vital signs - I don't know what all he did. No, I don't
have any type of training like that.
I was trained at Alzheimer's Association as a volunteer - when we
walked with the participants we were taught to "fall with" the person if
they started to go down. We practiced falling first to catch the fall of
someone walking along with us. There, we always had at least two
trained people like Nurses right there with us, too. All I know how to
do is to fall with someone, or fall under them. As far as picking them
up, no training at all. No health care training at all.
Just a clarification. Maybe this helped someone as we think these
things through together- maybe something similar will happen to you
sometime. I don't feel comfortable lifting him - still not sure what
I'd do but we're working on some ideas such as loaning him our extra
wheelchair. As wobbly as he is, I am not sure why the daughter and the
couple assigned to help him (nice retired couple) - not sure why they
aren't using any type of wheelchair. But.....he was out walking several
times today and seemed fine, thank heaven!
Okay, now I will shut up - but I'm not a health care provider - just
a volunteer. Sorry and I will sign off now and let some other subject
take over the list.
Barbara in Louisville
Who takes care of Bill