Good Morning Calif........

Hello, Barb.  Sorry to hear about your father in law.  My almost 97 yr. old mother is in a skilled nursing facility and has been about 5 yrs.  She has a history of osteoporosis and many falls and broken bones.  When she first went there I asked for rails as she had fallen out of her bed numerous times at assisted living (where she had been for nearly 20 yrs.).  They said no due to "state regulations" whatever those are.  I then insisted that a thick foam mat be placed on the floor near the bed and they did do that.  After falling out of bed - which of course I knew she would - I demanded at least 1/2 rails and they did install them.  She managed to get to the end of the bed where the rails did not reach and she fell again.  This time I DEMANDED full rails.  I said I would sign a release of responsibility if that is what they wanted and they finally agreed.  Her last fall did break her hip but the doctor said it was not a serious break (?).

Get tough and demand what you know is correct for your father in law.  You have to advocate on his behalf.  Just remember, most people who fall and break a hip usually die within a year!  Prevent it before it happens!  An "alarm" going off after a fall will NOT prevent the damage.

I do think mom's nursing home is a great one and the staff are awesome, they just have to go by management's decisions.  I also like to spoil them with big Costco cakes, pizza parties and submarine sandwich parties or fresh fruit.  I want them to know they are appreciated for what is truly hard work and little pay.  As we all know, anyone showing us a little appreciation goes a long way!

Good luck and good wishes.  I've been there, done that, and got wayyyyyyyyyyy too many t-shirts - HA!  Hope he is better soon.  Hang in there.

Debbi,

Thank you so much for your advice and knowledge of the issue.  His bed is now very low to the ground and they have a foam mat on both sides of the bed and a bed alarm.  I will tell my MIL about the bed rails should this happen again. 

When my MIL Isla spoke to him yesterday, he said he was absolutely fine and didn't even know how he fell out.  He was not trying to get out of bed, he thinks he rolled over and fell out.  He has been in the hospital bed for 3 weeks and the previous SNF had side rails, so I think he was used to knowing something would stop his fall should he turn over. 

This new SNF seems very good and you're right about brining in things for the staff to show appreciation, I'll mention that to my MIL too.

Thanks again for your insight.

Hugs,
Barb

You can also ask them if they can put him in a low bed.. It is a bed that is lower to the gound. When I send someone to a SNF we frequently ask if they can supply a low  bed or even a bed alarm..

Liz,

Thanks so much for your suggestions.  Great ideas and both were implemented yesterday.

How's the riding going?  Hope you're doing well.

Hugs,
Barb

Good morning friends... yesterday, i did all the backyard mowing and edging at like 4pm, thinking it would be cool...but, wow... soooo NOT COOL... but, i needed some exercise and sure did get some. And the yard looks better, too!

I'm enjoying reading the threads about people sabatoging themselves with eating. I think this is something that we all struggle with. I'm shocked at how easily I can put on some pounds. WLS is NOT a 100% guarantee that you will always be "thin"... it is a tool, as everyone always says, and that tool can sit on a shelf in the garage, or it can be used.

For me, it's sat in the garage for awhile now... but, (before Rhonda comes over and slaps me!), I need to make the changes necessary to remain successful with my health and weight loss...

Lectured myself... needed it.... thanks, self!

Have a wonderful day... I'll be out in Diamond Bar in a bit visiting the folks....

Lori

Good Morning LuLu and Cali Crew,

Lu, I am sorry you have to work today. I know how that feels. I have to work weekends too, but I only work 3 days a week, so it kinda all works out in the end for me. From what y'all post, everyone has great plans for today. I don't have much planned, cleaned the house yesterday, did all the laundry. Today, I really need to go and find some shorts that fit. Mine are so big. I just don't like shopping much, never have. I find it such a chore. I need to got to the grocery store too, which I hate doing on the weekend. Oh well. I hope everyone has a fantastic day.

Eileen

Good Morning Cali,

Chris, I am glad to hear your daugher in law has shrinking tumors!!! My mom just started another round of chemo and I hope to report the same news in a few months.

Jillie, you should absolutely go to the Gilroy outlets. Brings lots of water though. My friend was there yesterday and reported that is was 90 degrees!! I need to go to since I discovered this week that my feet can actually shrink with weight loss!!!

I had a great day yesterday.  I went to a local hotel that has a wonderful spa/gym/pool area.  If you get a massage or other service, you have access to the steam/sauna, the pool, the gym and so on. I felt like I was on vacation for around 5 hours.  I worked out, got a massage, sat in the steam room and swam for a little while.  

Today is a lazy Sunday with a workout at some point and maybe a trip to the grocery store. I am hoping to read the Sunday paper from cover to cover and get some nice Santa Cruz sun in.  

Take Care all! Happy Sunday!

MsBlues

your day at the hotel/spa/gym/pool sounds DELIGHTFUL, msblues... not only were you pampered, but you worked out as well...

great choices on your part!

Prayers for your mom's chemo treatments...

Lori

Good morning Lu and Cali gang
Lu, happy to hear your sinus/ear infection is on the mend. Pain from sinus/ear infections is no fun.

I'm obviously not really awake yet....I type and it disappears...must be new keys on this new computer that allows you to wipe out entire sentences...or the Gremlins have invaded already

Yesterday was spent just sitting around, running a couple of errands late in the afternoon, watched a great movie with Maggie Smith, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Miss Smith received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Jean Brodie, a teacher at a private English girls school in the 1930s.  A woman definitely a head of her time LOL  Great fictional tale of a woman breaking the mold..and unfortunately, paying the price by losing her job in the end.

Today will be more of the same.  My goal is to organize my WLS journey in pictures. Lon found some really terrible pictures of me way back about 5 years ago...why couldn't I see myself as I really was when I was at my heaviest?  Are my 'blinders' that good?? LOL  Anyway, need to get the picture album together..so I never forget where I started...and how far I've come...ya know, those dreadful head games that try to sabotage our journey to goal?

Hope everyone can find a cool place to relax and enjoy the day. Be good to yourselves..YOU deserve it!
Nancy aka Sunray

Morning Lu and the rest of Cali,

Just a quick hi from me today.  Got up pretty early and showered and got dressed.  Then Mike and I went out to breakfast and made a stop at Big Lots.  Nothing yelled at us to buy so we came home.  Just relaxing now before heading off the a baby shower.  And then the weekend is over.  They just go so darn slow.

Hope your day at work was good Lu.  At least you are inside in A/C.  It is blisteringly hot out again.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Steph