Help with falls

[Devittd]

Looking for devices to assist getting someone up after a fall. Any thoughts?

[WAshingtongirl]

Hi, Devittd , I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your question, but I noticed you are new and wanted to welcome you. Is the fall device info for you or are you caring for someone with MS? Either way, we welcome you and hope to get to know you better. I hope someone here has an answer for you! 💕

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hi Devittd like WAshingtongirl says welcome to the MSAA Community 😊. I hate to hear that someone is falling.😕 I have to ask why are they falling, in order to help you.😊

First place to start would be to email [e-mail] or give them a call at 800 532-7667 ext. 154 and see how they can help you.😊

Let us know, ok? And how are you today? Do you have this dreaded monster? Or are you one of our wonderful caretakers?

Jump in anytime!😊

Jes 🌠

[greaterexp]

Devittd , I'm glad you found us, whether it's you who has MS or a loved one.

My new primary suggested that I get a medical alarm device. Even though I'm "only" 57, and I haven't fallen yet, she thought it a good thing to have before I need it. No, it won't directly help me get up, but would get help on the way.

[mrsmike9]

If you are a caretaker, having one of those belts they use in rehab centers are pretty good. You can strap them around the person and help them get up, using that to hang onto. Better than giving them a wedgie!

[RobertCalifornia]

I was taught by a physical therapist who is a specialist in neurological rehab how to getup from different fall positions. She also taught me how to fall so I don't hurt my head or face. I have grab bars in bathrooms, shores, etc. I also use a shower chair as that is where I have fallen a couple of times because my legs got fatiguedan gave out on me.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to RobertCalifornia]

Great info

[Doubled51]

Devittd . Welcome to our world. Hope you find the answers to this and any others questions you need answers to. I've received so much help here. There are so many knowledgeable caring people here that it is absolutely amazing. When you find out about fall help please share with us because so many of us fall we need all the ideas we can get..

Donnie

[Fancy1959]

Devittd, it's Fancy1959. I know us not spoken to you before so welcome to the chat room but I've been out quite a while so if you're not new I'm glad I finally got to speak to you. Concerning your questions about how to safely get someone up from a fall I sure should have some experience because I've fallen probably dozens of times. It is such a problem for me due to the fact that my balance has been totally whacked due to my MS attacking my cerebral cortex. As a result of my frequent Falls my main advice to you is to prevent them from occurring. Each and everyone can be disastrous so please take measures to avoid them.

Always have safety equipment nearby whether it be a walker, wheelchair, or an electronic scooter to actually help the person in question get around. A cane is better than nothing but is not adequate to prevent Falls . If you want to use a cane as backup make sure you get a footed cane with 4 prong foot on it that will help to give you additional stability.

This is a great topic to bring up to your neurologist and then he or she probably will tell you exactly what my neurologist told me is that a primary concern for the patient is to totally prevent falls. They then we'll get the patient to physical therapy and the physical therapist will work on safety issues, fall prevention, ways to increase your balance, and also work on way to make certain that you get up when a fall occurs. I also totally agree with greaterexp that it is time if your concern is so great that a fall button be put into use with the individual you're concerned about. That way help will always be reachable in an instant even if someone cannot be there 24/7 to watch an assist as needed. I hope this information helps. I have really tried to make sure that I stop my fall but even though I'm being extremely careful I fell again last week. So I am by no means an expert on the issue. Please talk to your neurologist to get the ball rolling. In the meantime the person or people out there taking the Falls they are in my thoughts and prayers and please tell them they are not alone in their struggles to prevent falls. Remember we can learn much from each other. Thus, together we are stronger!

[Nom_De_Plume]

Hi Devittd , 👋🏼Welcome to our "group!"

I don't know of any actual devices out there to assist getting someone up after a fall. The individual would have to have that on their person at all times to be able to use it when they fell. That might be cumbersome. The best advice a PT gave me was to find a sturdy piece of furniture to help me to stand from the floor. Below is the URL for a handy guide that uses diagrams to help explain how to get up safely after a fall:

lifeline.philips.com/conten...

Im wondering if perhaps you are a caretaker who is not physically able to lift someone who has fallen? That's where a device might be helpful to leverage in getting someone else off of the floor. (I could be way off base here.) In that case, I would ask a physical therapist what they recommend you use to help someone else get up safely from the floor. I am wondering if there is some sort of rope that could be securely anchored and with which a fallen person could use to pull themselves up to a seated position.

Best wishes in finding a solution to your dilemma!

Lisa