How have you resolved the issue of getting in/out of bed?

[tlongmire]

I can get in easier than I can get out; getting out even with a rail is difficult. It is a real strain on my neck and shoulders. Also, have you found any mattress that's better than others to help with this problem?

[granny2012]

Haven't encountered that problem yet. Sleep in a very firm mattress.

Granny2012

[Dennis]

Like you I have difficulty getting out of bed but not getting in so much. A firm

mattress seems to work best. I also have trouble raising my head off the pillow when I wake up. ~~Dennis

[tlongmire in reply to Dennis]

Yes, I think we have come to the conclusion that we can't sleep on the same mattress. Our plan is to get two twin extra long mattresses for our king size bed. That way we still get to sleep together but he can have his softer side and I can have my firmer side. Whatever it takes.

[ronn]

Terry, You have probably heard this one before but have you tried the old satin sheets and pyjamas trick? The satin sheet is optional because it gives problems with making the bed, but the jammies are required equipment. At bedtime you don your satin jammies, crawl onto your satin sheet and sleep until morning (or until nature calls). When you awake, you squirm around until you get your feet just over the side of the bed. Then you call your husband to grasp you by the ankles and take two steps backward. This leaves you perched daintily on the edge of the bed, ready to get up and start your day.

Happy Sledding.

[shasha in reply to ronn]

this what i do and my huband does the same thing as ronn's exccept i need more help to move from the bed

but i dont know what i would do without my silky jamas and sheets ..

[Owenbob in reply to ronn]

Try sleeping with no pajamas.

[tlongmire in reply to ronn]

For me it would be until nature calls, and calls, and calls. LOL. My left leg is so rigid I can't get it to drop over the edge of the bed which is a big problem.

Thanks for you suggestions. Terri

[maryalice]

Getting in and out of bed is a big problem for me too. The satin sheets with a satin or nylon or some kind of silky sleepwear help a lot. My biggest problem is turning around to get in the bed. Anybody have a solution?

[Gloria1952 in reply to maryalice]

I also have problems turning in bed. I end up with my arms getting stuck under my chest or stomach and then I have to ask hubby for help. No matter how hard I try, I can't roll over in bed.

[lmbanni]

We got a bed that you can move the head and feet up or down. It helps my husband get out of bed. He does not have trouble getting into bed. I pray he doesn't have that too!! It is a firm mattress too. It also has tall legs so when he backs up to it he doesn't feel like he is falling down into it. He just sits on it and then lays on his side and kind of rolls in.

We got help with not having to pay the tax when our doctor gave us a prescription for an adjustable bed. I don't know if the insurance would have helped or not. We didn't try. Maybe we should have but I doubt it!!

Mary

[tlongmire in reply to lmbanni]

We have BlueCross/BlueShield and they wouldn't cover a bath lift (with prescription) so I'm sure they wouldn't cover a bed. But good to know about the tax break.

[jillannf6]

hi

i too havw problems getign in and out of bed - tend to falll out fo bed and have difficuplty getting into bed

the satini jim jams help but not when it is difficult gettjng in and out of the bed.

a firm mattress doe shelp and i tsi possibel to have a frame fitted roudn the top fo the bed to assist with clamberign in and out.

THE OT did provide one for a sinsgle bed but nto for ao double or large rbed

lol Jill

[dawnv]

The pain is awful some mornings, but a good moan helps along with some naughty words!

[Beachdog]

parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-D...

Maybe some ideas

[maryalice in reply to Beachdog]

Thanks for the information.

[PatV]

A guy in my Parkie Alexander Technique class said he got a new firm mattress with memory foam topping and slept better than ever! Nothing about getting in and out though. Happy risings to you!

[tlongmire in reply to PatV]

What is Parkie Alexander Technique?

[BILLYRAY]

his is the first in a series of functional fitness plans for people with Parkinson’s

disease. Each set of exercises is designed to assist you with a particular task or activity

of daily living that may be difficult for you. Perform all exercises in the set at least 3 to 4

times a week. Make each exercise challenging by either increasing the repetitions or

adding weight to the exercise. I promise this agenda will help you remain independent

longer.

? Side Push Up—Lie on your side on your elbow, legs straight and feet stacked.

Place other hand on floor in a comfortable position. Perform a “push up” lowering

your chest to the floor and back up from this side lying position. Perform 5 – 10

reps. Change sides and repeat.

? Roll Up—Lie flat on back with hands over the head, legs. Starting with your head

and neck, slowly roll up bringing one vertebrae off the floor until you are in a

seated position. Slowly roll back down to the floor. Perform 5 – 10 reps.

? Functional Abs Side to Side—Lie on back on floor, with a ball, cushion or pillow

between your knees, feet off the floor. Move knees side to side, going towards

the floor to tolerance. Perform 5 – 10 reps.

? Straight Leg Raise—In a seated position, straighten one leg in front of you, the

other leg flexed at the knee with feet on the floor. Lift straight leg off of the floor

as high as you can, keeping the knee as straight as possible. Perform 5 – 10

reps. If this is easy, try using both legs at once.

? Side to Side Two Leg Lift—In a seated position with feet flat on the floor, using

both hands to hold on to the sides of the chair, pick up both knees and swing

them to the left side of the chair. Then pick up knees and swing to the right side

of chair. Perform 5 – 10 reps.

? Seated Stretch—Sit on the floor, with your hips close to the wall. Push your head

and shoulders into the wall; push your legs into the floor. Relax your hands in

your lap, toes pointed toward the ceiling. Hold for 2 minutes, relax and breathe

[tlongmire]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Terri

[PatV]

Alexander Technique class for pwp. People with PD. Given in NYC

[tlongmire in reply to PatV]

Thanks.

[goose63058]

We bought a beautirest bed extra firm. my old mattress was saggy to no end.nm Also got a memory foam topper/pad. getting into bed is tricky but I am armed with a step stool, bedrails, and nylon night gowns. getting in iI have to use husband as a grab bar. Getting out is even tricker . My whole bdy hurts so bad. some times all i can do is moan I try to stretch slowlyto gain some movement. Usually on my bac i\I use my left hand to pull myself over. Then i swing my left arm over to remove any piled up blanket

then I grab the rail and i slide out

I's quite a job.

[tlongmire in reply to goose63058]

That's about what I do and you are so right it's quite a job. I've developed muscles at the base of my neck. I get up 2-3 times a night so I get quite the workout. LOL!

Terri

[srarndt]

If you'd like a bunch of different suggestions, go the search window, type in the word "bed" and you'll find about 19 pages of suggestions...about half having to do with specifically getting in or out of bed. Add a few addtional search keywords and you'll be able to narrow that down...

Aside from that, I too had the same problem until I had my DBS installed. I also have recommended floor to ceiling assist poles for PD patients that I know - most found them very helpful.

[tlongmire]

Thanks Steve.

[Ryan]

Hi Bongmire, I have read over most of the suggestions, but my assistive device was not mentioned. About 10 years ago, I had a visit from my O.T. and she suggested a pole be placed right next to my bed, floor to ceiling, be used and over the years it has made a huge difference in assisting me to sit up and then swing to the side and the help with standing up.

I has been invaluable, especially getting out of bed.

In Canada, they were available through my drug store, assistive device catelogue.

Ryan

[tlongmire in reply to Ryan]

Thanks Ryan.

[cabbagecottage]

Ou O T got a bed grab rail for my husband which he has fou nd very helpful . Unfortunately he has become worse and they are trying to get a profile bed for him . Just hpe if we are lucky enough to get one that it will work for him .For my sake as well as his .

[tlongmire in reply to cabbagecottage]

What type of grab rail and what's a profile bed?

[cabbagecottage]

A grab rail is normally metal screwed to a board . The board is inserted (slid between the mattress and bed base . It has nylon tapes attached which are then fed under the bed and secured to the other side . I am 75 and female and I can did it myself .

You can hold onto it when getting in and out of bed and turning while in it .

My husband does find it helpful , If you google mobility sites you will find them on there along with a lot of other different aids . I am thinking of getting an aid which is tied by the same principle to go at the foot of the bed to stop him sliding dow the bed and at the same time maybe help with digging his feet in when shuffling into the bed

Hope you have found this helpful and can follow what I have said .

[tlongmire in reply to cabbagecottage]

Thanks.