Cory
12-25-2001, 09:42 AM
I just happened to find your board today...thanks for a lot of great information!
My 74 year old father with fairly advanced PD (newly diagnosed) can't get up out of a sitting position without a lot of help from my mother. He's also starting falling frequently too. Is there a specialized walker or something to help him get up? It has to be easy since he has dimentia too.
How do you find a Movement Specialist?
Thanks.
My 74 year old father with fairly advanced PD (newly diagnosed) can't get up out of a sitting position without a lot of help from my mother. He's also starting falling frequently too. Is there a specialized walker or something to help him get up? It has to be easy since he has dimentia too.
How do you find a Movement Specialist?
Thanks.
Sponsor
Bruce
12-25-2001, 01:22 PM
Cory, getting out of bed is a problem for me too. Taking the meds while still in bed helps a lot, especially when I started taking regular Sinemet. I kicks in much faster than the CR.]
Satin sheets and sleep ware, makes it easier to turn over.Any thing with a slick surface helps get out of bed. A bedside commode might be necessary, because many of have a problem controlling the bladder.
Their is a nice walker that was designed for pd patients and medicare will pay for it.It is called the U step and the patient stands within the U. It has a seat to sit on if he feels weak. You might find it on the NPF site www.parkinson.org. (http://www.parkinson.org.)
The mostly likely place to find an MDS is your state's university med ceter or go to www.medtronic.com (http://www.medtronic.com) and their is a physician's directory. They are not all MDS doctors and it does not include all doctors in neurology so you must ask them.I found a new, experienced neurosurgeon at Indana U. med center. He accepted me without a refferal and made an appointment for me with an MDS. In fact they have a movement disrder clinic.
I could give you along list of of bad decisions doctors have made about my care, but I finally feel I have found a "home" with the MDS.
My good friend Googy will come on and tell you all about dealing with dementia. She has 27 years experience taking care of her husband.
Hope this helps I hope I covered everything.
Bruce
Satin sheets and sleep ware, makes it easier to turn over.Any thing with a slick surface helps get out of bed. A bedside commode might be necessary, because many of have a problem controlling the bladder.
Their is a nice walker that was designed for pd patients and medicare will pay for it.It is called the U step and the patient stands within the U. It has a seat to sit on if he feels weak. You might find it on the NPF site www.parkinson.org. (http://www.parkinson.org.)
The mostly likely place to find an MDS is your state's university med ceter or go to www.medtronic.com (http://www.medtronic.com) and their is a physician's directory. They are not all MDS doctors and it does not include all doctors in neurology so you must ask them.I found a new, experienced neurosurgeon at Indana U. med center. He accepted me without a refferal and made an appointment for me with an MDS. In fact they have a movement disrder clinic.
I could give you along list of of bad decisions doctors have made about my care, but I finally feel I have found a "home" with the MDS.
My good friend Googy will come on and tell you all about dealing with dementia. She has 27 years experience taking care of her husband.
Hope this helps I hope I covered everything.
Bruce
Googy
12-25-2001, 11:20 PM
Welcome Cory,
Bruce has covered most of what you need.One thing I stress also is see that MDS.It will hard for you all to adjust with Dad needing you so much,This is PD.Do whatever you can for him and yourselves.I now have a nurse to help me with my husband Just three times per week,He is in a wheelchair and has dementia.As Bruce said it is over 27yrs.Tell you mother to post here> A support group is helpful also.Keep us posted.Good Luck.
Googy
Bruce has covered most of what you need.One thing I stress also is see that MDS.It will hard for you all to adjust with Dad needing you so much,This is PD.Do whatever you can for him and yourselves.I now have a nurse to help me with my husband Just three times per week,He is in a wheelchair and has dementia.As Bruce said it is over 27yrs.Tell you mother to post here> A support group is helpful also.Keep us posted.Good Luck.
Googy
Pelicangirl
12-26-2001, 02:09 AM
Hi Cory,
First of all, welcome to the board!!
My mother, who also has PD, as I do, found that a "Seat Assist" was of help to her. You can get it from a medical supply catalog. It a device that you put in your chair and sit on. When you get up, it gently helps you up. You set it by the weight of the person.
I told her if she didn't behave, we were going to set it for a 250 pounder and catapult her across the room!!!!!!
I think Medicare might pay for it, so check with them first.
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Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
First of all, welcome to the board!!
My mother, who also has PD, as I do, found that a "Seat Assist" was of help to her. You can get it from a medical supply catalog. It a device that you put in your chair and sit on. When you get up, it gently helps you up. You set it by the weight of the person.
I told her if she didn't behave, we were going to set it for a 250 pounder and catapult her across the room!!!!!!
I think Medicare might pay for it, so check with them first.
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Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Cory
12-26-2001, 06:29 AM
Bruce, Googy and Ruth,
Thanks for your information, encouragement and humor. My mother is not very confident with her computer skills, but I think your boards will help her a lot. I'll help her today. Thanks,
Cory
Thanks for your information, encouragement and humor. My mother is not very confident with her computer skills, but I think your boards will help her a lot. I'll help her today. Thanks,
Cory
Bruce
12-26-2001, 10:35 AM
Ruth, what do you call this thing that helps you get out of a chair? What does it look like and how much does it cost? I am just full of questions.
I might find a use for it once in awhile.A lot of these gadgets can be helpful.
Cory, I am not sure I mentioned this, but you can buy arm rests that can esaily attach to the commode and it is a big help in helping me stand up.
Bruce
I might find a use for it once in awhile.A lot of these gadgets can be helpful.
Cory, I am not sure I mentioned this, but you can buy arm rests that can esaily attach to the commode and it is a big help in helping me stand up.
Bruce
Pelicangirl
12-26-2001, 07:17 PM
Hi Bruce,
It is called a "Seat Assist." It sort of looks like a black cushion you sit on, but it's spring loaded. It gently goes down with your weight, and then gently helps you up from a seated position. It really "assists" you rather than springs you into position. My mother loves hers.
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Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
It is called a "Seat Assist." It sort of looks like a black cushion you sit on, but it's spring loaded. It gently goes down with your weight, and then gently helps you up from a seated position. It really "assists" you rather than springs you into position. My mother loves hers.
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Pelicangirl (aka Ruth)
Bruce
12-27-2001, 12:42 PM
Thanks Ruth. For some reason, I have this vision of this thing propelling me through the air and picking myself off the ceiling. (just kidding.)
Bruce
Bruce