The nursing home brought Grandma home this week for her first attempt at navigating the things she does at home from getting in and out of bed, to getting off the toilet. She’s been there for 100 days so Medicare is at the point where it wants to push her out of physical therapy and into a rehabilitation phase.

The first thing they had Grandma do was get on the toilet. She had no problem doing that, but when it came time for her to get off she really struggled. She had been saying for weeks that she knew she was going to get off with no problem and you could tell how scared and frustrated she was getting. The physical therapists from the nursing home tried to help her but they couldn’t. I finally stepped in and got Grandma calmed down. Then I helped her up off the toilet and made sure she had her balance. I was supportive and encouraging, as was everyone, but Grandma was physically ill, sick to her stomach even at her failure.

She wanted nothing to do with any of the rest of the stuff they wanted her to try. We had to explain to her that they couldn’t come out every time we bring her home and they need to see her do it before they can release her. She was tired and couldn’t lift her one leg into bed which she normally can do. I helped her with that. Then she had no problem getting out of bed. She also had no problem getting into her chair and getting up. It was just the toilet that gave her problems.

We’ve made some adjustments to the grab bar angle and will be bringing her home on Tuesday for another attempt. The folks from the nursing home won’t be there this time, which is probably better because Grandma will be calmer and more relaxed. We also won’t let her wear herself out.

I got a call from Mom though that Grandma fell at the nursing home while being walked. Fortunately she fell backwards and landed on her butt. She wasn’t hurt, but it goes to show she still can fall without warning.