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Guard Rails / Stanchions to guide blind person around the house? (self.Blind)
submitted by Trekkie_on_the_Net
So, i recently moved in with my 87 year-old narcissistic, blind father to help take care of him on nights and weekends, when his caregiver is not present. His blindness has been a slow process over the past 5-6 years due to glaucoma, retina detachment, etc, and he seemed to rely more heavily on his sight than most people, perhaps due to the ravages of age-related memory loss. He will do things like reach way down to knee-level to search for a door handle, and claims its because he can't see it.
Anyway, I'm trying to create pathways in the house to counter the confusion he seems to get. Large pieces of furniture, like dressers that are waist-high have helped to block off some areas and give him guidance to grab onto when walking. Along walls, there are guard rails put in that he can grab on. But there are still a couple areas where neither of those options are really feasible. I considered stanchions with heavy bases, maybe even putting sandbags on them to prevent him from pushing them out of the way. But the only ones i can find have ropes or chains, which provide no support.
Are there any type of stanchions that allow for a sturdy guardrail on it? Are there any other options you know of for creating guidance paths that would work in areas where large furniture or permanent fixtures are not possible? Visually, I was imagining something like a gymnastics balance beam, scaled down, of course, as that would be way too large and high. I'm thinking of areas around 3-7 feet in length that need to be blocked off. Please help!
Anyway, I'm trying to create pathways in the house to counter the confusion he seems to get. Large pieces of furniture, like dressers that are waist-high have helped to block off some areas and give him guidance to grab onto when walking. Along walls, there are guard rails put in that he can grab on. But there are still a couple areas where neither of those options are really feasible. I considered stanchions with heavy bases, maybe even putting sandbags on them to prevent him from pushing them out of the way. But the only ones i can find have ropes or chains, which provide no support.
Are there any type of stanchions that allow for a sturdy guardrail on it? Are there any other options you know of for creating guidance paths that would work in areas where large furniture or permanent fixtures are not possible? Visually, I was imagining something like a gymnastics balance beam, scaled down, of course, as that would be way too large and high. I'm thinking of areas around 3-7 feet in length that need to be blocked off. Please help!
KillerLag 5 points 1y ago
You should contact your local vision rehabilitation center and talk to an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to discuss what the best course may be.
I've encountered some clients, where families have discussed something similar. Something I point out though... If your father can't remember we are doorknob is, what is it likelihood your father would remember a brand new layout, with brand new rails? Because that would require him to learn a variety of new skills (locating the railings, know where they guide him to, and what the new landmarks are).
The O&M specialist might be able to make suggestions to leverage existing know landmarks to help build on his existing mental maps.
I have seen a client, whose family hired a carpenter to build (essentially) an indoor fence /railing the client could trail along, that was literally anchored to the floor. The client was able to utilize it for some areas, and then would get disoriented along the route, eventually letting go of the railing in search of a landmark he could recognize.
I've encountered some clients, where families have discussed something similar. Something I point out though... If your father can't remember we are doorknob is, what is it likelihood your father would remember a brand new layout, with brand new rails? Because that would require him to learn a variety of new skills (locating the railings, know where they guide him to, and what the new landmarks are).
The O&M specialist might be able to make suggestions to leverage existing know landmarks to help build on his existing mental maps.
I have seen a client, whose family hired a carpenter to build (essentially) an indoor fence /railing the client could trail along, that was literally anchored to the floor. The client was able to utilize it for some areas, and then would get disoriented along the route, eventually letting go of the railing in search of a landmark he could recognize.
Trekkie_on_the_Net [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I forgot to say 'thank you' for your reply. I think building something crude but effective that's anchored to the floor might be the best way to go. An improvised version of my balance beam idea.
Also, he's been to specialists, including The Lighthouse here in Chicago, and has had OT and PT at the house a number of times. He miraculously gets around much better when they are here testing him. <sigh>.
Also, he's been to specialists, including The Lighthouse here in Chicago, and has had OT and PT at the house a number of times. He miraculously gets around much better when they are here testing him. <sigh>.
Trekkie_on_the_Net [OP] 1 points 1y ago
The problem is when there are no landmarks. When he walks past an area where there is nothing to grab on to unless he goes far out of his way. And he's been sort of ok at adapting to new situations when given the chance. This is about to turn into a rant, and i apologize, but i'm at wits end. Maybe someone reading this will have experience in both issues, and can help give more insight...
The 2nd problem is that he is a narcissist. If you've never known a narcissist, being around them can be infuriating. They are the most important, and your own pain, struggles and emotions are irrelevant to them. He's always been abusive in subtle ways, and occasionally not-so-subtle ways. As part of that, he often gaslights his level of confusion due to his lack of eyesight. I've caught him countless times finding his way easily when he thought no one was around, and then after i make my presence known, either on purpose or accidentally (because a board creaks while spying on him), he will freeze in his tracks, and then suddenly say he doesn't know where he is and needs help. This type of behavior has played out for a long time in other ways, long before he had eye problems.
Beyond that, there is (i think) some genuine confusion, likely due to the normal loss of memory suffered by older people coupled with the eyesight loss, which has gone away very slowly over the course of about 10 years. But when you're the boy that cries wolf, no one wants to believe you when you're actually telling the truth. Yes, i know its a call for attention, but it makes it really difficult to want to help him.
Still, i do my best to help, but i get to the point when i don't know what's real anymore. Is it real when there is a pair of shoes sitting next to the bed where he sleeps, and he has apparently gotten up, put on one of those shoes, and then made his way down the hall to a closet, grabbed a single shoe from another pair, made his way back to his bedroom, sat down and put that shoe on (both left shoes), and when asked about it, he claims he did it because he can't see? Is that what blind people do? Doctors claim he doesn't have markers for dementia, and there have been no underlying infections either. And when he does speak to doctors and such, his confusion is mostly gone, so they don't see the problem.
The 2nd problem is that he is a narcissist. If you've never known a narcissist, being around them can be infuriating. They are the most important, and your own pain, struggles and emotions are irrelevant to them. He's always been abusive in subtle ways, and occasionally not-so-subtle ways. As part of that, he often gaslights his level of confusion due to his lack of eyesight. I've caught him countless times finding his way easily when he thought no one was around, and then after i make my presence known, either on purpose or accidentally (because a board creaks while spying on him), he will freeze in his tracks, and then suddenly say he doesn't know where he is and needs help. This type of behavior has played out for a long time in other ways, long before he had eye problems.
Beyond that, there is (i think) some genuine confusion, likely due to the normal loss of memory suffered by older people coupled with the eyesight loss, which has gone away very slowly over the course of about 10 years. But when you're the boy that cries wolf, no one wants to believe you when you're actually telling the truth. Yes, i know its a call for attention, but it makes it really difficult to want to help him.
Still, i do my best to help, but i get to the point when i don't know what's real anymore. Is it real when there is a pair of shoes sitting next to the bed where he sleeps, and he has apparently gotten up, put on one of those shoes, and then made his way down the hall to a closet, grabbed a single shoe from another pair, made his way back to his bedroom, sat down and put that shoe on (both left shoes), and when asked about it, he claims he did it because he can't see? Is that what blind people do? Doctors claim he doesn't have markers for dementia, and there have been no underlying infections either. And when he does speak to doctors and such, his confusion is mostly gone, so they don't see the problem.
KillerLag 1 points 1y ago
Narcissism certainly does pose a particularly vexing problem. I once had a client, who would freely admit they can't see the traffic lights on the other side of the street. But when they were crossing, they would state they see the light is green, even when it isn't. When I try to correct him, he told me that I "must be mistaken, because he clearly sees the green light". This has happened multiple times.
If he has some remaining vision, high contrast markers may help. For example, if the floor is dark, a light coloured rug may help him locate a specific area. Some people also use audible landmarks, but that depends on how well they could hear. For example, a radio on low.
And yes, some clients perform better when they know they are being observed. They put more effort in to pass, for a variety of reasons. Which can be frustrating, because they show the family they can do it, but they don't want to put in that effort the rest of the time.
If he has some remaining vision, high contrast markers may help. For example, if the floor is dark, a light coloured rug may help him locate a specific area. Some people also use audible landmarks, but that depends on how well they could hear. For example, a radio on low.
And yes, some clients perform better when they know they are being observed. They put more effort in to pass, for a variety of reasons. Which can be frustrating, because they show the family they can do it, but they don't want to put in that effort the rest of the time.
Shadowwynd 1 points 1y ago
We have a weirdly shaped room in our center (part of a hallway connecting two parts of our building), but the doors in/out don't line up, and it has a weird side-hall that goes nowhere. It is an utter nightmare to transverse with a cane. We put up two wall-mounted retractable guide rails like this (not this brand, but similar look):
https://www.epiccrowdcontrol.com/wall-mount-retractable-belt-barrier-7-5-or-10-foot-belts-epic-series-stanchion/
Our clients can learn to navigate the rest of the building pretty well, but this room is always a problem. The rails run from door to door on both sides and this helps it function as a proper hallway.
The retractable ones, of course - are not load-bearing. I have seen people "cruise" between pieces of furniture and have arranged things as far as possible so that they only cruise between pieces. I have seen people put sturdy handrails up in places like hallways that have no furniture (make absolutely sure to screw them into the studs, don't use command strips or loc-tite or any type of glue, and don't screw into just the sheetrock - I have seen people do this these, you can get the *rail* to stay this way, but the minute someone puts weight on it will rip out of / off of the wall and cause damage and injury).
I would go for screwing into the studs versus a heavy-bottomed stanchion. I see 5-gallon buckets filled with concrete (~100 lb) used as a base for a signs all the time - it keeps the sign in place, but if an adult human fell on it / the rope it is holding - or put their weight on it) the concrete buckets would topple over fairly quickly.
https://www.epiccrowdcontrol.com/wall-mount-retractable-belt-barrier-7-5-or-10-foot-belts-epic-series-stanchion/
Our clients can learn to navigate the rest of the building pretty well, but this room is always a problem. The rails run from door to door on both sides and this helps it function as a proper hallway.
The retractable ones, of course - are not load-bearing. I have seen people "cruise" between pieces of furniture and have arranged things as far as possible so that they only cruise between pieces. I have seen people put sturdy handrails up in places like hallways that have no furniture (make absolutely sure to screw them into the studs, don't use command strips or loc-tite or any type of glue, and don't screw into just the sheetrock - I have seen people do this these, you can get the *rail* to stay this way, but the minute someone puts weight on it will rip out of / off of the wall and cause damage and injury).
I would go for screwing into the studs versus a heavy-bottomed stanchion. I see 5-gallon buckets filled with concrete (~100 lb) used as a base for a signs all the time - it keeps the sign in place, but if an adult human fell on it / the rope it is holding - or put their weight on it) the concrete buckets would topple over fairly quickly.
Trekkie_on_the_Net [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you for the info. As mentioned originally, I already have guard rails on all the walls he travels, so that option is exhausted. Furniture, where appropriate is already used to guide his way. What i need is options where furniture and guard rails are not practical, much like the room you described. Whether out of genuine need, or to show off (see my previous reply). he leans very heavily on things to guide him, so he seems near incapable of just grabbing a soft rope and walking along it as a guide. I really appreciate your help though. Perhaps something will have to be improvised, like concrete buckets, and three poles from the hardware store to screw together. Nothing else i can think of.
Shadowwynd 1 points 1y ago
So: a 5 gallon bucket filled with concrete, with a 4"x4" post embedded in the concrete and extending up to 36" off the floor, and then 2x4" or a suitable railing between the posts (and buckets of concrete)? Essentially building a handrail like for a deck, but inside, and not actually attached to anything.
That might be worth exploring. I would say to not make the three posts co-linear - it would be more stable if the whole structure had a wider footprint.
Not this x-----------x------------x
But this x--------- x
\
\
x
That might be worth exploring. I would say to not make the three posts co-linear - it would be more stable if the whole structure had a wider footprint.
Not this x-----------x------------x
But this x--------- x
\
\
x
Trekkie_on_the_Net [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Oh, that's interesting. I hadn't thought of angling the support bar that way. Thanks.
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