Hi Butch

In the five years since Don's stroke, he's fallen four times. And yes they just seem to happen. The last one was earlier this year. One little mistake during a transfer and oops, he was on the floor. It's that possibility of falling and getting hurt during the fall that drives us spouses crazy. The solution of me was to get a automated phone dialer from Radio Shack so he'd have button that hangs around his neck to ring if fall happens when I'm gone. It dials my cell phone.

My husband's PT didn't advice getting a lift chair either and we didn't. The reason for the recommendation is that the practice of getting in and out of regular chairs builds up the cord body muscles instead of letting them go backwards. It was the right decision for Don because his transfers did get stronger and stronger as time went by. In the beginning, I preferred him to stay in his wheelchair when I'd be gone for 2-3 hours just because it was safer in case of a emergency like a fire and getting to the bedroom on time.

If I was you, I wouldn't let Lisa use the lift function of the chair while someone is in the home with her....just use it when she's home alone. That would be a practical solution in my book giving you the best of both worlds.

Jean

Hi Butch, yes I have had quite a few falls.. getting less now..

I ended up bruised, but no broken bones or anything serious.

Could you have PT work with her, to teach her to get up if she falls...

I would crawl to something to get a hold of to pull myself up.

I think the recliner sounds like a good idea. I have a regular recliner and very comfortable, but it did take some work getting out of it. I didn't have the strenght in my legs to push the footrest down to get up. I had to pull myself forward and it was a bit awkward getting out (I'm sure not a pretty sight..lol).

My PT had me hold a cup of cold water and practice sitting down and standing up from a regular chair. It does help you learn to use your body and thigh muscles. Getting out of a recliner is different than getting up out of a regular chair because of the foot rest.

Yes trippiing over your own feet happens. I would forget to pick up my left foot far enough when I walked at times and my toes would hit the ground and I would pitch forward. I learned to get up with my walker and get myself balanced before going forward.

Best wishes to you all.

Bonnie

Butch,

At the beginning I had falls and lots of them. My falls happened because I had forgotten to think about what I needed to do or I moved to quickly or turned too quick. I never had a recliner and I agree with what Jean says, Lisa should only use the stand up feature if someones home. She needs to use herr body to get stronger so she can pretty much stand up from sitting on anything. I can sit on outside steps now or a low curb and stand up from that.

I know you got the chair out of concern for Lisa, but you need to consider if the "care" will hinder or help her progress. There are no easy way outs in stroke recovery, it is all hard and sweat filled and takes major effort. I'm all for having things that make our recovery simpler, but disagree with helps that hinder our progress.

As a survivor that had no support or help at home, while it was hurtful and cruel to live with that, I think it made me more determined and independent and my recovery benefitted greatly because of it.

Pam

Pam

I think you have a typo in your comment....Lisa should only use the stand up feature of the chair when she is alone where a normal transfer might cause her to fall or her may not be able to get up by herself. When someone is home to keep an eye on her transfers and give as little assistance as possible, she should NOT use the stand up feature so that her core muscles are getting a work out.

Jean

Mom,

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. You worded it better then I could have.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Pam