Disturbed Sleep

[Guest guest]

Dear M.: Disturbed sleep for the Caregiver is one of the hardest

things I deal with but today was bad in all ways. Bob fell and I had to

call the Fire Department to help me pick him up off the floor. I have

managed for quite a while pivoting him around but it was one of those

situations where he zigged and I zagged and even the transport chair went

flying and so did the commode and it wasn't empty. A few years ago I had to

call the Fire Dept. more often to help me pick him up but we sort of adjusted

and got our pivoting and zigging and zagging down to a system. I was really

pleased that we managed to not have to call them for almost a year. When I

call I have learned to just call the Dispatcher and explain the situation and

then they just send a small engine with a few young, strong firemen to help

me pick him up. If I thought it was an emergency I would go right to 911 but

Bob had fallen slowly because I still had hold of a belt I have around him.

He doesn't want me to call anyway so just calling the Dispatcher we avoid the

sirens - they still have the lights - and they don't send an ambulance. If

the Firemen think it is worse they would call the ambulance if needed. Bob

is about 6 ft. and 200 lbs. He is so bent over now it's hard to tell how

tall he was. Your Jeff is a lot younger. Bob is 75 soon to be 76. I am 72.

Bob was scheduled for a Sleep Test quite a few times years ago but each time

he either was sick with an infection or one time broke his arm and they

didn't go ahead with it. Now he barely moves in his hospital bed and his

breathing is so quiet I sometimes listen to make sure he is allright. At one

time he snored, gasped for breath, tossed and turned, hollered and seemed to

be a classic case of Sleep Apnea. He wakes me up to urinate or ask the time,

or just plain wants to get up even though it is only 2 or 4AM. I also get up

to rub his legs when they ache. I will think of you when I get up. I often

think of the other Caregivers and wonder if they are up too. I'll think of

the California people and think " the lucky ducks " they have 3 more hours to

sleep. - I hope things improve for you sleep wise. It is so hard.

Take care. Pat from Framingham

Dear Bill: I have a question. I am considering a " Lift " and my mind has

gone blank regarding some info. Does Medicare assist in purchasing or

renting some of that equipment. They rented the Hospital Bed and the

Wheelchair and I did not take possession as they might need maintenance. I

have forgotten some of the info on " Hoyer Lifts " . I have it here someplace

but my mind has gone blank lately. You have been so helpful and I really

appreciate it. Pat from Framingham

[Guest guest]

Pat,

I'm sorry to hear about Bob's fall and I hope both he and YOU are

okay. I worry about you and your net getting enough rest; indeed I

worry about all the caregivers on that issue, as you do. YOu really

have your hands full!

Hope you're enjoying some of this wonderful spring weather!

Carol & Rob

Lexington, MA

> Dear M.: Disturbed sleep for the Caregiver is one of the

hardest

> things I deal with but today was bad in all ways. Bob fell and I

had to

> call the Fire Department to help me pick him up off the floor. I

have

> managed for quite a while pivoting him around but it was one of

those

> situations where he zigged and I zagged and even the transport

chair went

> flying and so did the commode and it wasn't empty. A few years ago

I had to

> call the Fire Dept. more often to help me pick him up but we sort

of adjusted

> and got our pivoting and zigging and zagging down to a system. I

was really

> pleased that we managed to not have to call them for almost a

year. When I

> call I have learned to just call the Dispatcher and explain the

situation and

> then they just send a small engine with a few young, strong firemen

to help

> me pick him up. If I thought it was an emergency I would go right

to 911 but

> Bob had fallen slowly because I still had hold of a belt I have

around him.

> He doesn't want me to call anyway so just calling the Dispatcher we

avoid the

> sirens - they still have the lights - and they don't send an

ambulance. If

> the Firemen think it is worse they would call the ambulance if

needed. Bob

> is about 6 ft. and 200 lbs. He is so bent over now it's hard to

tell how

> tall he was. Your Jeff is a lot younger. Bob is 75 soon to be

76. I am 72.

> Bob was scheduled for a Sleep Test quite a few times years ago but

each time

> he either was sick with an infection or one time broke his arm and

they

> didn't go ahead with it. Now he barely moves in his hospital bed

and his

> breathing is so quiet I sometimes listen to make sure he is

allright. At one

> time he snored, gasped for breath, tossed and turned, hollered and

seemed to

> be a classic case of Sleep Apnea. He wakes me up to urinate or ask

the time,

> or just plain wants to get up even though it is only 2 or 4AM. I

also get up

> to rub his legs when they ache. I will think of you when I get

up. I often

> think of the other Caregivers and wonder if they are up too. I'll

think of

> the California people and think " the lucky ducks " they have 3 more

hours to

> sleep. - I hope things improve for you sleep wise. It is so

hard.

> Take care. Pat from Framingham

>

> Dear Bill: I have a question. I am considering a " Lift " and

my mind has

> gone blank regarding some info. Does Medicare assist in

purchasing or

> renting some of that equipment. They rented the Hospital Bed and

the

> Wheelchair and I did not take possession as they might need

maintenance. I

> have forgotten some of the info on " Hoyer Lifts " . I have it here

someplace

> but my mind has gone blank lately. You have been so helpful and I

really

> appreciate it. Pat from Framingham

[Guest guest]

Dear Carol and Rob: Thanks for your concern. Bob and I are both OK. Just

a little bruised. Hope Rob is doing better too. I am taking Bob to the Dr.

on Tuesday and I am going to inquire about a " Hoyer Lift " and look into more

PT. He benefits so much from PT it is really remarkable. Of course, the

Therapists are always young and pretty and I think he is tired of doing what

I say. She will ask him to do exercises and he responds right away. He's

tired of listening to me. He acts like he thinks I'm bossy. I don't know

where he could have gotten that idea. It's sort of like a role reversal. He

was always so independent but now - well you know how it goes. Hoping to see

you in Boston. Pat from Framingham

[Guest guest]

Pat,

Hoyer lift is the way to go. Hope to see you on the 5th.

& Maddie

[Guest guest]

Pat,

Hoyer lift is the way to go. Hope to see you on the 5th.

& Maddie

[Guest guest]

Pat,

Hoyer lift is the way to go. Hope to see you on the 5th.

& Maddie