Grammas hospital bed finally arrived yesterday. Was excited about getting her off the recliner couch that shes been on since she broke her rib last Tuesday. I was getting concerned about her bottom starting to break down. Set up the bed in the back rec room adjacent to the front room.
Got her into bed, was watching TV in front room and heard a thud. Ran to the rec room and there she was on the floor, flat on her back. She was concious but we 911'd her anyway. Hospital CT scanned, xray'd, blood tested and only found a possible fracture on her right wrist. Got home about 5am.

If she can't get herself off the couch, how the heck did she get out of the bed????

She also seems to be working on a 48 hour day. Spends an entire day and night awake with occasional short dozing off, then the next 48 hours sleeping almost constantly and almost impossible to wake up enough to feed. Is this something I should be worried about? Other than for my rest?

Since I've only had her with me for 6 months, I must still be undergoing trial by fire.

Its much easier for them to get out of a bed, than up from a sofa or recliner. Hospital beds they can just step out of, and relciners or sofa's they have to get all the way up, which takes a lot more muscles, including the muscles around the broken rib. If it hurts, they won't keep trying from the sofa or recliner.

If that didn't make any sense to you....its easier for them to get down, than up. Recliner on the sofa, she had to get up from, and the bed, just had to get down from.

God bless you hon. I read more and found out the rails were up.

Can you put one side of the bed up against the wall (if its not already)? That would just leave one side to deal with.

Wishing you the best with this, as I've had no experience with it.

MYy mother was the one who was so determined she did things that would put her in harms way.I was always siting on pins and needles .Just waiting for that accident to happen.With her dementia she had the will of jobe.The fear of what could happen caused me to be more tired then a hard days work.
When my son was 6 months old, he learned to climb over the top of his crib.
I called my father in law and he made and extension to the crib railins, son was not to climb out of bed for along time.
My aunt and hubby were always putting their legs and feet through the bars and getting caught.One thing I got was bumper pads, the other was this styrofoam sticks they use in swimming to hit each other.I cut them down the cener and put them on the side bed rails, much like pipe wrappers.Another was I placed body pillows aganst the bed rails and kept them in place by tying them with strips of old ribbon.This way they could not get caught and also not hit their bodies against the side rails

Eel Im a lil tired myself so Im not backtrackin tonite but is there anyway you can get her into a wheelchair during the day to keep her awake and alert with you?
Keep her wakeful during the day brightly lit rooms music she enjoys or???
Try out a mild sleep med in the PM for the time being to get her back into a regular pattern maybe.
If shes crawling over the bars maybe she is wanting her recliner they do get the strength they need when they want something bad enough.
If she continues this you may have to change this bed to a "low bed" if this isnt one already or the last alternative is to place a mattress on the floor its harder for them to rise up from not to mention less of a distance to fall

ooops, I meant 24 hours not 48. I'm too tired to think straight.
Mae, the side rails were up on the bed, sorry I wasn't more clear on that. She went over them. I am going to go buy an air mattress for the side of the bed and place the other side against the wall. Still rearranging the furniture in the rec room so I can do that.
We don't have any aides and the visiting nurse was here about an hour prior to the bed arriving. Got her back on the couch right now until I can make the bed area safer. Am just afraid that even though the couch reclines, she is at risk for a break down.

is there side rails on the bed.If not ask for them.Also make sure the bed is as low as it will go.Put some cushioning on the floor of the side she gets out.I use to place pillows on both sides of my hubby, under his bed pad to keep him centered and more difficult to get out.Side bars are the best , at least they were for me for all my loved ones.
All aides and nurses are suppose to be sure the bed is at its lowest before they leave.Strict rule