One thing I really liked about the ALF and the dementia unit my husband was in last year is that they let him walk around. I told them I would rather risk his falling than to restrict his mobility [other than the locked doors, of course!]. He was in a SNF for about a month in 2008 where they wouldn't let him walk at all!!! They would not let any of the residents walk other than during PT! They had to be in wheelchairs all the time with monitors clipped to them which set off an alarm when they tried to get up! I asked them if I could walk with him if I signed a release and they said NO, only with the therapist! They were clearly more concerned about liability than about the quality of life of their residents.

That is just awful that they wouldn't let people walk there. No wonder you wanted to get him out. Since my dad can't even support his own weight when transferring, walking isn't an issue and probably never will be. He has been just about immobile for 8 months now. Lynn

The ALF and dementia unit my husband was in both had rules that a resident had to at least be able to assist in transfer. Do they have such a rule there?

The rehab that my husband was in also would not allow him to walk and they had his bed lowered to the floor because he was a fall risk, I thought that was terrible!

Pat - I don't know if that is a rule there or not, for the ALF part. He was able to help with transfer when he moved in, but he has continued to go downhill.
At an Alz. place near me in Vermont, they have a lot of residents' beds on the floor because of fall risk. I am trying to picture a lot of the folks in their 80's and 90's getting off a mattress on the floor. So, sounds kinda like what you are talking about Irene.

I guess a mattress on the floor would not only prevent their falling but would prevent their getting up by themselves, and maybe that's part of the plan!

Pat - You are so SMART! I never thought of that! Missed you on chat tonight! Lynn