Mother will be 91 years old April 22, 2013. She has had two hospital stays due to falling, plus C-Diff, which was absolutely terrible for her. It was exhausting and embarrassing for her to say the least since she has always been a very proper lady. She has moderate-severe dementia, depending on the time of day. Mother is fortunate to have a loving family who dotes on her. Her therapists say that she works best with them around 10:00 a.m. Mother is always
cooperative, but she simply will not trust the therapists to do their job. I have tried to be supportive at times when the therapist is there, and she still is mortified to stand. What can the therapists and I do? They say that she is quite capable of standing, but the longer she delays with this, I know that it will be very difficult for her to ever walk again or use the walker. She is in a wheelchair now and even has difficulty navigating it.
First, try a different therapist. Some people feel more comfortable with males as they feel they are stronger; some prefer female therapists. Also, in general, your mom may respond to the personality/ attitude of a particular therapist. Often times people with dementia will respond to someone because they may remind them of a grandchild, friend, etc.
Second, there are plenty of interventions to increase confidence. Use of parallel bars, mechanical lifts, standing frames that can decrease that fear of falling. Unfortunately, once someone has fallen, that fear will probably never go away completely but these devices can help.
Third, utilize familiar activities. Standing & walking are familiar. Introducing a device like a motorized wheelchair is challenging & can be overwhelming.
Fourth, be aware of the environmental stimulus. For example, make sure 4 people aren't screaming "you can do it" all at different times. Keep the atmosphere calm & non-distracting. Music often works. For standing, walking & transfers I have oftened "danced" with my patients and led them to where we need to go.
Fifth & finally, encourage consistency & routine. Establish a schedule for daily tasks & for therapy sessions.
Best of luck!
Could the therapists do exercises with her that would help strengthen her legs so she can continue to assist with transfers, but without her walking? (They had my husband use a foot pedal thingee.) Perhaps given more time she'd be more willing to try walking, but I understand the need to build some strength now.
And as far as "she is quite capable of standing" ... maybe she has the muscles to do that, but all muscle use is controlled by the brain. And at the moment, it sounds like the brain is not "capable" of getting her upright.
She contracted Cdif and pneumonia and was in isolation for 2 weeks. She was so weak from those infections that she just cant get up the strength for walking. I had to spoon feed her.She also did physical therapy and after 1month they said she had to go to continuous care. She is happy there ( I wouldn't be). For once in her life, she is free from getting dressed up , etc as there no one cares and I just let her be. She goes out of her room which makes me very happy, but someone has to push her. It broke my heart to see her struggle to get up walk etc with a therapist. The only thing I get upset about now is when she says she doesn't want a shower. It's hard to let go of them but like a child going off to college, you have to let them be and be happy as many have said here.
Surprisingly, it has lightened my hold on her and I feel free and can just enjoy her in another part of her journey.
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