Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Elderly parents
Original poster

Three hospital falls with carers in a year - ok?

35 replies

Supersimkin2 · 26/02/2024 21:14

DM has Parkinson’s and after a welter of solo escapes and A&E falls, she’s no longer allowed out without a carer.

But even with a carer she’s had three falls requiring hosp admission in a year.

I know Parkinson’s = falling over, but could we expect more from the carers? They’re not trained but she won’t tolerate anyone else.

OP posts:
Original poster
Supersimkin2 · 26/02/2024 21:47

Thanks so much - I agree with you all. People do fall.

She’s getting worse and won’t use a stick.

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 26/02/2024 21:45

People do fall, especially with Parkinsons.

The carers are there to assist but they will not catch her if she starts falling. One carer on their own if definitely not going to stop someone falling, it's not as if they can wade in and prop her up. And they will probably always call 999 if out and about so she will end up with hospital admissions.

She needs:
physio and OT assessment
Medication R/V by GP and R/V of Parkinsons meds to see if changes can help reduce falls
Care plan for carers of what to do if she does fall and info for paramedics so everything doesn't end up as a trip to hospital
All of the above could be done by a falls clinic.

But even with all this, there are going to be falls.

GinForBreakfast · 26/02/2024 21:44

How compliant / aware of her own limitations is she? My elderly relative has had three falls in three weeks in hospital - including one which resulted in a head injury- because she won't follow instructions and insists on getting out of bed all the bloody time!

She's of sound mind by the way, she's just an arsehole.

Mischance · 26/02/2024 21:39

If the staff are from an agency then they should have training.
Could you get her referred to the Falls Clinic by her GP? She needs input and equipment to make going out safer ... she should see an OT and a physio.

Elephantswillnever · 26/02/2024 21:31

People do fall though especially older people with Parkinson’s. I worked in a nursing home ( housekeeping) and it wasn’t unusual for people to fall and require hospital treatment. There’s only so much you can do to mitigate risk. I think the difference between carehome/ carers is length of time they might be left after falling if alone but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.

Dotdashdottinghell · 26/02/2024 21:24

Doss she love at home or in a care setting? Who are these untrained carers?
I'd say it's time to assess for a wheelchair for outdoor trips, with a lap belt if appropriate.

entropynow · 26/02/2024 21:19

Ask their agency about staff training, although it still might not prevent falls. Three in a year might simply be disease progression. Review indicated.

EverlastingStar · 26/02/2024 21:19

It's not their fault if she falls

They're actually not allowed to catch people when they fall either because of health and safety

Helenloveslee4eva · 26/02/2024 21:17

Surely they are trained in some way ….,

id say may be ok but have you had physio and OT assessment to ensure aids correct and correctly used and assistance is being given in the most fed to e way.

defi · 26/02/2024 21:16

Expect what? How can they stop her from falling? Maybe it's time to look into a wheel chair or other mobility aids.