Hi all. I live with my 77 year old 19 stone father who has sadly just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, he has lung and brain met cancer along with severe heart disease and gout. He fell over in the house yesterday and I could not lift him, he was a dead weight. He didn't hurt himself thankfully but he was unable to get himself back up even with my help. I have spinal scoliosis so I am not as strong as most 40 year old men. This is the first time he has fallen over. I called 111 for paramedics but due to the fact he wasn't hurt there was no urgency. When it had got to 3 hours and they hadn't turned up my brother-in-law who lives about an hour away decided to come over to help, so I cancelled the ambulance. Sadly I may not be able to contact him for help again depending what time of day, he also has a triple hernia so hardly ideal for him. Lifting 19 stone from the floor to a chair or bed is tough when the person has not much strength in their legs.
What is normal protocol for this if someone of this size, who is terminally ill with very little strength, falls on the floor from their walking frame but hasn't injured themself ? Is there a dedicated team to phone ? Or just 111 or even 999 ? We live in North Dorset. I am just asking in case it happens again.
Is there any way to rent a Raizer chair (or similar) ? I hear they can lift up to 22 stone from the floor to a seated position. They are over £2000 so sadly I could never afford that price. I thought of a cheaper bath lift (and just not using it in the bath) but they only raise to about 40cm which is not that high when the person needs to go from seated to standing. I also thought of using my air mattress and maybe putting it under my dad and then inflating it, but I have a feeling he would just roll off the side as it inflates.
Also even though he has terminal brain and lung cancer can he have physio via the NHS to try and strengthen his legs ? His diagnosis has hit me very suddenly so I am not sure what I should be doing or organising to happen. I don't have the money to go private. MacMillan have contacted us but I presume they are for helping dress and undress.
Is there any advice ? Thanks.