sudden immobility

[tealover]

Mum was diagnosed around 8 years ago, been in Residential care for just over 2 years.

For the past 6 months has noticeably started to "shuffle" around but independantly, and could walk around the garden unaided when I visit. Suddenly on Tuesday she has stopped - the staff states she can't stand, can't get herself out of a chair without the assistance of 2, and can't mobilise without 2.

UTI excluded, GP visited Wednesday and can't find anything of note, no fall or trip. Had precautionary Xrays on Thursday. Has also begun to become incontinent of urine only....the staff state she seems to have forgetten how to use the loo.

Can anybody advise please of the cause for this? Is it a deterioration of her condition or something we can resolve?

Many thanks
x

 

[Shabba]

Mum was diagnosed around 8 years ago, been in Residential care for just over 2 years.

For the past 6 months has noticeably started to "shuffle" around but independantly, and could walk around the garden unaided when I visit. Suddenly on Tuesday she has stopped - the staff states she can't stand, can't get herself out of a chair without the assistance of 2, and can't mobilise without 2.

UTI excluded, GP visited Wednesday and can't find anything of note, no fall or trip. Had precautionary Xrays on Thursday. Has also begun to become incontinent of urine only....the staff state she seems to have forgetten how to use the loo.

Can anybody advise please of the cause for this? Is it a deterioration of her condition or something we can resolve?

Many thanks
Hi tealover, very similar with my mum, shes 80 with VascD/Alz. One week in Jan this year she was walking with a frame, the next week she was completely immobile. No (known) falls, but has osteo arth in both knees, but I was amazed at the change seemingly overnight. Dr said it was a "step down" of the Vasc Dementia; and again similarly to you mum became incontinent at the same time, had been using commode quite well before then. Mum is now in NH partly due to needing 2 to transfer now with standing hoist, and in mums case the immobility and incontinence have sadly not resolved, so am guessing this is marked deterioration in mums condition. Sorry I don't have an "answer" as such to your question, but wanted to tell you we've experienced exactly the same as you! Take care x

 

[tealover]

Hi Shabba

thank you for your reply.....I had thought it may possibly be something like this.

Saddens me so much, but at least Mum is happy in herself!

Best wishes to you and your Mum x

 

[Shabba]

Hi Shabba

thank you for your reply.....I had thought it may possibly be something like this.

Saddens me so much, but at least Mum is happy in herself!

Best wishes to you and your Mum x

Understand your sadness too love, I am heartbroken and devastated, and also quite understand what you say about your mum being happy in herself. My mum seems to be too; I couldn't quite understand sometimes when others on here have said that our loved ones are in their "little bubble" and it is US who suffer the pain more, watching the deterioration before our eyes, but I believe that IS true now! Oh how cruel this is, I sometimes feel I have no more tears to cry but still they come! Thank goodness for our little "gang" - always here if you want to cry, rant, whatever. x

 

[aprilbday]

It could be a spinal condition in neck bones causing the lack of ability to feel her legs at times and incontinence. Look up cervical myelopathy .

 

[Onlyme]

Mum stopped walking midweek many years ago; Tuesday she could walk, Wednesday she couldn't. It was obviously another stage of her illness.

 

[Grannie G]

Yes. Sadly it could just be a progression of the dementia.

My husband seemed to forget how to walk. He moved his hands along the grab rail while his feet stayed still.

 

[nipper]

immobility

I realise that the comments made were a few months back, but my wife who is in a nursing home was a constant walker. About 6 months back she suddenly was unable to stand up and support herself, which was very upsetting.

In order that she wasnt bedridden we decided to purchase a reclining chair as she could be hoisted and transferred to and from the bed. She has been using this for about 4 months now but over the last few days the carers are telling me that her facial expressions (she does not speak anymore) are indicating that any movement is painful for her, even moving her leg or arm seems to cause distress. They are now suggesting that she should not be moved to the chair anymore because of the pain that is caused. She is on paracetamol which they are going to review with the GP.

Is there any other alternative to help her or do we just have to accept that she has worsened and being unable to move any limb is a normal progression. Fortunately she still eats very well and smiles very frequently.

I find it very difficult to accept this situation but realise I will have to.

Thanks

 

[MeganCat]

Hi nipper

My mum is being assessed for such a chair because she slides off any arm chair, even a recliner, in 10 mins, so needs 2 carers to move her back frequently. She is in bed currently as the home are concerned at her falling. They say that the chairs cost about £1000 and she must fund it herself. She has FNC but not CHC (hasnt been assessed for a while)

Is this right that she must pay for it? Am i missing anything? (Do people have to pay for wheelchairs?)

 

[Jessbow]

No you dont pay for wheelchairs, well not for basic do the job standard ones, fancy electric ones , quite often yes, they will have been purchased privately.

Don't suppose there are infinite funds for individual pieces of equipment like specialist reclining chairs within nursing home budget, and if the NHS can provide , it will prob take forever anyway.

Someone within NHS budgeting would prob say it wasn't essential anyway, that she could stay I bed, although i'd disagree with that.

Get OT involved before you purchase anything specialist, maybe something like this would work
https://www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/bed...y-seating/attend-mobile-chair-100-indoor-base

 

[MeganCat]

Thanks Jessbow
Shes awaiting an OT assesment, but is currently in bed as the home think it too much of a risk her being in a chair as she slides within 5 mins, thanks for the link ill take a look. OT say shes not priority as shes safe in bed!