Dementia Patient Frequent Faller

[michael79]

I have a resident that is falling every time I turn around. He has a very mild amount of dementia, but is otherwise very sharp. HE JUST WON"T LISTEN!!!! We have asked him not to use his walker unless PT or a CNA is with him. He gets up and tries to walk around without it all the time. The family is mad and thinks we aren't taking care of him. We have him on hourly safety checks, keep him in the common areas, and toilet him q2h. We still find him in the floor. Any other ideas? I am beginning to think that he needs skilled care. We are an ALF and can't provide constant oversight.

[Furwillfly]

I don't know the r/r of ALF as Im in LTC facility. I do work with these kinds of residents and we do a few things. Being they are forgetful to use a walker we provide them with a Merri walker. It is a form of restraint, but typically in our state its ok if we have family permission and MD order; as long as you are providing the least restrictive method. If this gentleman was im my facility I would have to come up with something.

Here is an aside however, I have a gentleman who worked on tractors etc he was always on the ground fixing things. He will put himself on the floor, not fall; so it is part of his careplan and he is checked on and provided plastic tools to do his 'work'. some thing to think about. ask family what this resident use to do for a living. We still find him on the floor, but never see him fall, so we do do frequent body assessments; just in case.

Anyhow, think outside the box.:)

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I had to google "merry walker." I've never seen one. We'd never get away with those here. Far too sensible and safe.