Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi everyone. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with hip protectors? They seem to come in the form of underpants with foam padding on the hips to prevent older/frail people from breaking a hip when falling. Dad (PDD) has had numerous falls and his neuro said a broken hip would be 'game over' so we need to get some ASAP but aren't sure if there are any that are better or more comfortable than others. Hope someone has some insight. Thanks so much. Tania.... (daughter of Barry, dx with PD in 2010, then LBD in 2011 and finally PDD in 2012) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 You should get a referral to Physical Therapy and Occupational therapy also. They are the best professionals to evaluate the environment and his physical condition and mobility needs and what can be done for fall prevention. Hip guards don't help - at best the might prevent bruising if someone brushes up against something but that us it. You need pros with this. It sounds like time for a walker and an exercise program - if he has not had before or recently. The pros are helpful to convince patients the need to use canes, walkers, do exercises etc. (verses bring bedridden in a nursing home for years - worse case scenario but it could happen). They can back you up on it too. If they can come out under home health that is usually very good to get all this done in a one stop shop situation. My mil was tough and even though LBD took her reasoning abilities she did understand consequences do reminding her what the doctor or pt said could happen and what she needed to do to help prevent it went a long way in cooperation. We did this very gently and lovingly adding we want the best for her, best quality of life for her etc. I had a talk with her earlier asking what she wanted as far as quality of life issues and she made it clear she did wanted to be able to use the toilet and not a bedpan or at the very least use a bedside commode. So that meant being able to walk, even with assistance. By the end she was still able to manage enough to go though we had to provide some major physical assistance it was simply walking close behind with arms locked up under her arms and " walking " her. She still could help enough that this was possible. She worked hard every day several times a day for the preceding three years with exercises pt gave her undoubtedly that really paid off physically, mentally and emotionally. - Dorothy from cell phone > > Hi everyone. > > I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with hip protectors? They > seem to come in the form of underpants with foam padding on the hips to > prevent older/frail people from breaking a hip when falling. Dad (PDD) > has had numerous falls and his neuro said a broken hip would be 'game > over' so we need to get some ASAP but aren't sure if there are any that > are better or more comfortable than others. > > Hope someone has some insight. > > Thanks so much. > > Tania.... > (daughter of Barry, dx with PD in 2010, then LBD in 2011 and finally PDD > in 2012) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 You should get a referral to Physical Therapy and Occupational therapy also. They are the best professionals to evaluate the environment and his physical condition and mobility needs and what can be done for fall prevention. Hip guards don't help - at best the might prevent bruising if someone brushes up against something but that us it. You need pros with this. It sounds like time for a walker and an exercise program - if he has not had before or recently. The pros are helpful to convince patients the need to use canes, walkers, do exercises etc. (verses bring bedridden in a nursing home for years - worse case scenario but it could happen). They can back you up on it too. If they can come out under home health that is usually very good to get all this done in a one stop shop situation. My mil was tough and even though LBD took her reasoning abilities she did understand consequences do reminding her what the doctor or pt said could happen and what she needed to do to help prevent it went a long way in cooperation. We did this very gently and lovingly adding we want the best for her, best quality of life for her etc. I had a talk with her earlier asking what she wanted as far as quality of life issues and she made it clear she did wanted to be able to use the toilet and not a bedpan or at the very least use a bedside commode. So that meant being able to walk, even with assistance. By the end she was still able to manage enough to go though we had to provide some major physical assistance it was simply walking close behind with arms locked up under her arms and " walking " her. She still could help enough that this was possible. She worked hard every day several times a day for the preceding three years with exercises pt gave her undoubtedly that really paid off physically, mentally and emotionally. - Dorothy from cell phone > > Hi everyone. > > I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with hip protectors? They > seem to come in the form of underpants with foam padding on the hips to > prevent older/frail people from breaking a hip when falling. Dad (PDD) > has had numerous falls and his neuro said a broken hip would be 'game > over' so we need to get some ASAP but aren't sure if there are any that > are better or more comfortable than others. > > Hope someone has some insight. > > Thanks so much. > > Tania.... > (daughter of Barry, dx with PD in 2010, then LBD in 2011 and finally PDD > in 2012) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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