I'm a full-time caregiver for my 89-year-old mom with Parkinson's. I have hired an agency to have a CNA sit with her when I'm gone for any length of time. I have been relying on her LifeAlert when I'm gone for less than an hour to run errands. The agency is suggesting she's too great of a fall risk and should have someone there 24/7. I'm not sure we can afford that. Anyone have a similar situation?
A friend of mine had a system, may have been Life Alert where if they detected no movement for a set time period they would contact her or contact 911. Not sure how much that cost or if that is an option with all units.
So I guess bottom line, how able is the person to
1. know they need to contact someone for help.
2. Are they able to verbalize the problem.
3. Will they be able to get to a door to let someone in if no lock box has been provided.
4. Will they use it/ wear it all the time.
If a person has been sitting for a while, gets up to go to the bathroom, gets lightheaded and passes out..they will only be able to call after they are conscious and that might be 1 minute, 10 minutes???
There is no "perfect" solution. A fall will happen, not a matter of IF but WHEN. And a fall can happen when there is no one there or when the family is there. It is no one's fault, no one to blame as long as the fall was not caused by something preventable. (area rugs, electric cords, a blanket on the floor, a shoe left by the door, the cat that walked in front of me and 100's of other causes)
Keep things as safe as possible, minimize risk and hope for the best
One fall I had was out in the road when my hip broke and i just collapsed. could not get up and a passing motorist stopped and helped me up . declined further help and slid along the side of the car into the drivers seat. After that drove to the post office and dropped mail in the box. Was going to UPS but decided to go home. drove into the garage and managed a few steps and up a couple of steps to the nearest chair and yelled for DH.
I do have a companion now DH has passed but spend hours alone but can manage with a walker. This week my objective with PT was to be able to get up off the floor by myself. With lots of grunting and creaking I did manage to the astonishment of both the PT and my caregiver. I did wait till there were two people there because I am too heavy for my caregiver alone. She can do it but it kills her back. I had been tempted to try but thought better of it.
Back to the OP I think it is fine to leave someone alone for an hour or so as long as you feel they are safe.
I also think a camera is an excellent idea. My daughter got one for my caregiver so she could check on me when she was outside mowing. I don't think she does.
I've had agency aides but I'm scared to trust them. The camera is a good idea but I'm not tech expert but will try if soneone knows a good easy one. So now looking for women around community and have meeting today. I'm sorry I'm all over the place because I'm tired and overwhelmed can't get anything done (paperwork) I'm sure you know! She also gets up now in middle night. Thanks for any advice n for listening. Good luck, God bless you.
There are good options now, which is so refreshing.
BTW, just for anyone who might not think of the obvious...if you have someone, even physically up to errands...but they have dementia, don't forget to get a disabled parking pass. It's a challenge to take my mom to Costco...but I figure the exercise is good for her as is the entertainment of shopping...and I figure the close parking, if there are any spots, is my reward LOL.