What else could I need to take care of my nan?

[Soubriquet]

My Nan is in hospital at the moment as she had a fall and hurt her back. She’s unsteady on her feet at the moment so the doctors don’t want to release her unless she has a care plan. She’s agreed to move in with me at least until she’s back on her feet. She’s fiercely independent, so this is something that she doesn’t want to do, but knows she has to.

We have cleared out our dining room as our bathroom is downstairs.

We are getting in a bed and all the things with it, bed side cabinet and lamp, draws for her clothes, mini fridge for her yoghurts, a bath mat for the bath and we are putting a curtain across the room as it’s an all on one living room and dining room.

I know this isn’t perfect but it goes her a little bit of privacy.

What else could I get in to help her stay be a bit easier?

Hospital are already providing a Zimmer frame

Wheeled table that goes over the bed - then she can put all her things on it and not have to reach sideways, especially with a bad back. Remove any rugs - tripping hazard.
Wet wipes if she doesn't feel up to a bath.
Slipper socks with grips.

Got wet wipes and no rugs.

I’ll have a look for the wheeled table but I think she’s ok without it.

Until last week, she was very mobile. Able to drive where she wanted to and walk where she wanted so this is a big change for her.

Kettle, tea and some milk in the fridge? If lifting a kettle is currently unsafe, this is an excellent option - my GM has one
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0048EJQ7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_91zXCbZG98FBR?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

What will she have for entertainment? You can often pick up second hand TVs cheaply, or you could bring hers from her home. Is she tech savvy?

Have a surf of some mobility type shops online - there's a solution for nearly every problem it seems!

She’s got access to the TV and I’m at SAHM so if she wants a cup of a tea, in there to help

Commode?

Grab stick, long handled sponge, support pillow

As much as anything the tea is about preserving her independence for psychological reasons.

Mine is similarly independent; if yours ends up unable to walk and distance, consider a mobility scooter - they're a godsend and she would be housebound without it.

Purely from a psychological point of view I try to find ways that mine can feel useful - for instance, asking her to peel spuds while sat down, or asking her to look after the dog while I pop to the shops (this is a task that doesn't require her to lift a finger). It helps her to avoid feeling a burden.

Gripped yoga socks.
Any eating and drinking aids she may need, two handed cup or spork etc.
Raised loo seat or a loo frame.
Shower chair.
Pressure cushion.
Table or wheeled whatever so she can grab her things.

If you have the space, her favourite chair from her house. We did very similar for FIL and he liked to sit in his own "room" in his own chair and read the paper.

We don’t have the room for that. Plus she doesn’t have a favourite chair just a sofa she sits on.

The rest of these are good ideas. Thank you

PLEASE encourage her to get up and walk as much as possible.
Doing too much for her will disable her. She needs to use it or lose it. The only way she will get better is by doing more for herself.
It is clear that you love her very much, and it is lovely what you are going to do for her, but please don't kill her with kindness.

Thank you. Yes she will be encouraged to walk which she currently isn’t doing in hospital.

Stuff so she can get herself drinks. I use a wheelchair, at my parents house I can’t reach to make a drink. Whenever I’m there for a while (Christmas etc) they put a tray on the side with glasses, a bottle on the side so I can help myself. There are other things I can do independently at home but not at my parents. That tray and being able to get my own drink has improved relations, lessened my frustration.

Bit bothered that you mentioned the bath. Those can be very tricky to get in and out of. When I was discharged home with impaired mobility, the best thing anyone did for me was fit some very solid grab bars so I could get in and out of the bath (my shower is over the bath).

Are you having an OT assessment of anyone coming to check before discharge?
They usually have loads of helpful tips and bits.

Try to have a chat with the hospital OT before she is discharged.

They often do home visits before discharge

No one has suggested an OT visit but we have been talking to the doctor in charge.

We only have a bath. The shower works...in very short bursts. But we found out the other day that she hasn’t had a bath since my grandad died (which is coming up up to 2 years 😭).

She’s been using the sink and giving herself a wash every morning.

There will be people to help her here with a bath if that’s what she wants. If she feels more secure with doing a sink wash, then I will continue to support that

Check if she needs a raised seat for toilet.

Try and get an OT to visit. My nan had parkinsons and used to have falls regularly, the OT she had was brilliant and got her a raised toilet seat, bars to help her on and off the loo and raised the height of the sofa feet amongst other things.

Ok thanks. I’ll mention it to the doctor in charge and go with what they say

Have a conversation with your nan about using the loo (often a really difficult conversation.) Can she get to the toilet in the hospital without help? Will she require a commode as a short term solution? Would she benefit from a toiler raiser?...you shouldn't have to purchase anything essential, the hospital OT will be able to advise and provide necessary equipment for you. Please also look on your local Adult Social Care website, they can often advise about equipment....but if you have any questions before discharge from hospital, please make sure that you ask staff in the hospital. They have a responsibility to ensure a safe discharge, regardless of where your nan will be staying. This may require a home visit. Try not to get fobbed off either, sometimes hospitals can 'push' for a quick discharge because they need the bed, but please ensure that all the equipment is delivered before she comes home. A family member of mine found out the hard way and ended up in hospital again when they fell because the equipment wasn't in place!

Bed rails for the bed? My DM felt much safer with them when she was very unsteady and in an unfamiliar bed.

With regards to the bath, that's going to need sorting long term regardless of her current status

Consider

• bath lift (can be removed when not in use, and taken to her home at a later date)
• carers coming in once a week or whatever purely for a bath (the one bit of personal care mine will accept)
• replacing her bath with a walk in version
• putting a shower chair in the shower cubicle (if she's quite solvent she might offer to get yours fixed)