My husband had a stroke a couple of years ago and a knee replacement 6 months later, Although he can walk (very slowly) he is quite week, especially in his knees and legs. Last night he fell off his bed, he was not hurt, but because of his week knees he cannot help himself up. He has osteo-arthritis, and suffers much back ache. So to pick him up on my own was a big mission as he is a dead weight. He has fallen before and most times I am alone with him. I am 69 years old, healthy but not very fit. How can I pick him up without hurting myself as well. We've tried using chairs for him to pull or push himself up but that does not help much.
Don’t hurt yourself! You can call 911 and ask for a “lift assist”. They will send either ambulance and/or fire department employees to help
I know a lady who tried to help her husband out of the bed and he fell, pulling her down with him, severely injuring her back.
He needs some good, regular PT and also needs to be using a rollater or walker.
When she had falls that were not bed-related, I'd call our local government's non-emergency number, and the EMTs would pick her up for me, as she was much too heavy for me to handle. They never charged for this service.
I never tried using a Hoyer lift - I watched several instructional videos when I contemplated getting one, and it was just too intimidating of a process for me. It seemed to me that the safest way to use it would be with two people, and I was alone with her most of the time. But that's just me, and it may not be the same for you. (As it turned out, when Mom went to long term care, she hated using the Hoyer, saying it was too painful.)
I hope this helps. Best wishes, and I hope you find a solution that works for you and your husband.
I cannot stress the use of physical therapy. I hope your primary orders this right away.
And, as others say, don't hesitate to call 911, as a non emergency. My friend did this over 10 times for his wife, who was bedridden from cancer. They were helpful and polite. She passed this past Saturday, he called the local fire station to let them know. The chief called back, offering condolences from the crew.
However, it will get your neighbors attention if the bring the high lift ladder truck that takes two drivers plus an ambulance.
I enjoy the looks of the gawking neighbors faces myself.
As Old Sailor said, mattresses are very high. I was able to buy a 5 in boxspring which helped lower my bed but mattress is still high. I recommend you look into a hospital bed for hubby. They have sides and now go down to the floor.
With my Mom she liked the twin mattress that was on one of the bunk beds she had. It was only 6 in high. I bought her a 5 in boxspring. There are bedrails that are only 18 in wide that slide under the mattress. It can be positioned to help a person not fall out of bed. Great in helping them pull themselves up to a sitting position and helping them stand.
I would hope ur husband is using a walker. Even in the house. You can get a therapist "in home" to show him how to get around the house with it and adjust it for his height.
I finally built her a platform to give her something solid to put her feet on when getting up.
Mattresses are so high these days and Luz was only 4'10". The platform helped greatly. only once after that did she fall and that resulted in a trip to the ER because she hit her head and was bleeding. I feel like I actually transformed into superman because I was able to get her up and dressed enough to get her to the car.
The platform was only 4 and a quarter inches high but that difference a world of difference to us.
I thing one could be constructed with a rail or grab bar set into it. I was planning one until things started really going down hill.
If this is not reasonable for you than continue calling emergency services, please.
Here is how they can help themselves to get up, if possible:
https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/how-to-lift-the-elderly-off-the-floor/
If you think he will continue to roll off the bed, you may want to consider getting a lower bed for him, or putting his mattress on the floor, just like they do in nursing homes.
If there's no Falls Response or similar service near you, have a look online and you will see the kind of equipment used to lift patients safely. It is not prohibitively expensive, but you would be foolish to buy one and use it without at least asking an occupational therapist or physical therapist to show you how to do it properly.
You may know that you are facing a coming time when you cannot do this alone. I am so sorry, but an injury to you will put you out of commission. I am stuck life long with the "Old Nurse's Back". There is really no way to move even smaller people, over time, without sustaining an injury. I don't know a single nurse without the "back thing". You can't afford that. Your husband, wherever he has to live, needs you whole and there for him. I am so sorry. Wish I had more for you.