Picking mum up

My advice (community matron caring for frail folk) - contact (with her permission) your adult social care service and request a therapist assessment of her needs. Also, chat with the surgery - it’s likely they have a dedicated frailty team that can offer support.

Basic things to consider - rugs are a death trap - ideally remove them or secure to the floor with carpet tape; footwear should cover the whole foot and fit comfortably; feet - does she need to see a podiatrist? Eyes - when were they last checked? Balance - is she able to stand with her arms outstretched for a few seconds? Consider a local chair yoga class or a strength and balance class - your local community centre or library is likely to have a notice board with this information. Is she orientated in time and place? What is the sensation like in her feet? Is she taking blood pressure medication - if you have a BP monitor check it when she is sat down and again when standing up (make sure she has been sat for at least 15 minutes before doing). Is she drinking enough (water!) or too much (alcohol!)?

What excellent advice, TerriS. Very well put together. Thank you.

She needs assessment for falls, you do need to speak to her GP.
My mum had a couple of falls, and she was no lightweight. We had no option but to get paramedics in.
They used an inflatable cushion. Wiggled it under her bum and inflated it with a little pump, so she could be assisted up easy.
After she did it twice I investigated, buying one, I did find them, but I can't remember how much they were but we did consider it.
Amazing after that last fall she didn't do it again.

SheepyIzzy

She has a fall alarm, it's a pebble, it comes to my phone, when she wears it "can't be bothered,.too heavy.....I forgot...". We've heard all the excuses.

Normally she has enough umph in her legs to push as I pull, that evening with having one of her gaga moments, she wore herself out (I like to think!)

Ambulance calls around here, you will be waiting for a couple of hours at least!

Fire brigade? She wouldn't like that, talk of the town she says!

She has been assessed! She sits there and smiles! we were at falls therapy Friday morning, mum tells lady her version of truth, I tell her the proper truth! Lady said she's heard it many times this week, "mum won't listen!" She has gone a lot weaker since last year, her hands have gone numb ( GP seen, blood test done.........) She's had the nerve jab in her hip (waste of time) she says, NO ONE can get through to her!

We've had therapists out to see how she walks, they've ALL told her to pull up, walk straight! Her? Frame in front, her bent over. Won't listen. Lady on Friday said (sorry, can't think of word) something slump, to Do with lack of strength in middle. She said they can help, build up strength, given her exercises to do EVERY day until the classes start. So far she hasn't done them and shows no interest in doing them.

Stop nagging me, is what I get off her quite regularly!

Gotta give her 10 out of 10 for bloodymindedness and stubbornness!

I could have written this post , sounds exactly like my mum. Except my mum does wear her alarm pendant , although she doesn’t call it as last time she waited hours for the ambulance.

She thinks it's funny - well, it's not. You could injure yourself, or even fall over. Also, I am getting the sense that she is a hoarder. get her a wellness check and call Emergency when she falls. If necessary, get her admitted to hospital for observation [trauma, balance, bruising, balance issues] and they might take it further, if you tell them what is happening. Tell your sister you will not take sole responsibility when the next fall happens.

Lots of good advice.. protect your back. Do not pick her up. She either can manage to pull herself up onto a chair which you put near her and then up to her feet after a rest. Or you cover her with a blanket with a cushion and you ring 111 or 999. Our immediate reaction is to help someone up, but that is not the best action for them or you. A friend had a badly dislocated shoulder after a "helpful" yank by someone who didn't think first.
Put yourself first now.

There's a falls team in our area.They use an inflatable type of seat. Her GP would know if there was one close by. If she is a little bit mobile, put a chair in front of her and behind her, ask her to go round on her knees and try to use the front chair to get her to lift herself then sit back on the chair behind. If she can't help at all and is too heavy then call emergency services. But take care of yourself as back injuries are difficult to heal.