Expert: Michalene Peticca - 5/8/2010

Question
My mom has alzheimer's - she recently broke her leg, forgot it was broken and fell and broke her arm and now she is in her 2nd ALF because she fell and broke her other arm at the first ALF.  How do we keep her from getting up?

Answer
Hello Lynn,

I am so very sorry about your mom.  

Unfortunately, these occurances are very "common" amongst Alzheimers' individuals.  They do not remember that they have any limits with their mobility.

I've only known one or two "tricks" that may help your mom.  Get a few bells (little sleigh type at the fabric store) and make an arm or ankle bracelet so it "jingles" when she tries to stand up.  You may also tie them somehow to her clothing so she can't take them off.  I would NOT suggest a Necklace, as she may inadvertantly choke herself.  

Also, you may want to purchase a chair or chairs that are difficult to get out of.  Some chairs are slopped backwards and an older person finds it difficult to get out of these.

The biggest challenge with your mom is that she cannot "learn" anything new and has no "file cabinet" to store any recent memories due to the Alzheimer's disease.  So, no matter how many  times someone tells her to sit down or don't stand up...she cannot remember.   

Try either of these and see if they work.

Best Regards,

Michalene Peticca, MA