Has anyone had any luck changing walking aids? Mom has a cane but her balance is really poor. She can't remember the cane gets planted on the ground. She holds it up.

She is very unsteady on her feet. Starts to spin now and then. Is always looking for a hand rail where there are none.

She originally had a walker when she got out of the hospital for gall bladder surgery 4 or 5 yr ago and ALZ reared it's ugly head.

Anyway, she had alot of problems using it back then - she was pushing it like a grocery cart.

I am trying to figure out if it is worth it trying to get her to use the walker again or am I facing a losing battle?

She's about a stage 6.

I pulled it out of the attic. Just trying to figure out if I should try getting her to use it or am I just going to get more frustrated.

I am trying to keep her out of a wheelchair as long as possible because I cannot get her in and out of the house if she can't walk.

I can ask the dr for an Rx to send her to therapy to try to retrain her how to use it.

Depending on your Mom's mental abilities you may be able to teach her to use a walker. Given the fact that she doesn't know how to use the cane - raises it in the air, makes me wonder if the walker will be any better.

My Mom lost her executive function several years ago and we have not been able to teach her to safely use her walker, sometimes yes, sometimes no. The last episode ended with her crushing two vertebrae because she didn't use her walker. She is now in an NH because of her fragile skeletal system. She spends 90% of her day in a transport chair.

You really may need a chair to keep her safe.and you may need to build a ramp or other accommodation.

My mom started falling and because she was on warfarin, the Dr told her she HAD to use a walker. He prescribed one and Medicare paid for it. Also, she was living in an ALF at the time where the majority of folks had one, so she fit right in. There was a bit of a transition, but she soon caught on.

A couple of things to keep in mind when changing to walker. Do you have rugs in the house? If so, the walker may get stuck.

Also, are the rugs area rugs? The walker may be a problem along the edges where the rug meets the floor.

Thresholds/doorways can pose another problem. Mom used to walk around the house with the walker held in the air just like your Mom does with the cane.

Mom now uses her walker at the NH where there are floors. Well, she uses it if she remembers to use it. It takes constant reminding.

Not saying a walker is a bad idea, just a few things to keep in mind that I learned from experience.

Good luck

patcor brings up some excellent concerns. Also, it is best to have an evaluation by P.T. to assess her capabilities and to obtain the correct type of walker for her needs. They will also adjust the height appropriately for her capabilities and height.

I hope it works out. Either way, it sounds as though she needs something to provide better stability.

My Stage 5/6 mom uses a walker, previously a can (very unsteady on the cane, scared me to death - always trying to hold onto walls, etc.)

The PT/OT people who taught her to use the walker specialize in PT for seniors, and they were very familiar with dementia. I really think it made a diff, bc the original PT back in her hometown were not very successful.

The other issue is making sure it's sized right. My mom's first walker was much too tall for her. She is probably about 4'10" so almost a pediatric size.

Also, tennis balls on the rear legs of the walker really helped her slide it.

Thanks. I looked at it a bit closer and will look at putting the tennis balls on the back legs. It has 2 things on it to help it glide.

I am going to call the dr Monday to see if I can get an RX for some PT or OT.

I took mom out for a walk today. Set her up with the walker once I got her to a place she could use it. She did very well. I think I am going to have her use it most of the time now. I have to keep an eye on her.

quote:

...I think I am going to have her use it most of the time now...

I think this is a good idea - getting her clear on when she needs it and when she doesn't is a big hill to climb!

Much better (and safer) to just have her use it all the time.

My dad went from cane to walker back to cane again. He hasn't got an order for one, he just started using Mom's.

Day Care is going to get her an Rx for some physical therapy training. That makes me feel a bit better.

That's good news on the PT. Fingers crossed!

It seems that often our LOs pick up someone else's discarded walking aid and just start using it - without realizing that it's way too short or too tall for them. And without getting training on HOW to use it (even pre-dementia).

For a long time before I realized it, my mom was using my dad's old cane. Except he was over six feet...and she's under five feet.

Then she tried a four-toed cane for more stability - but she kept putting it down on her foot, and it turned out that PT doesn't like four-toed canes.

I just needed to respond. My mom broke her hip in July.......I'm the walker police. I have just about given up on telling her to use the walker. I have talked to her Doc. about this. He has told me not to worry. You can only do what you can do. Good luck!