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My husband is legally blind (diabetic retinopathy into macular degeneration final stage). His vision has gotten tremendously worse in the last six months. He is an amputee who uses a walker for balance. He's in his late 80s. He also has hearing issues so does not key on sounds that indicate the closeness of walls, etc. Has anyone out there faced this problem? He is suddenly very unsure of his physical location and how to proceed and is now taking tiny steps because he is uncertain. Do you know of any "feelers" or other devices that can be mounted to his walker to assist him with distance?

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That's really difficult. Given his age, other disabilities and the rapid onset of his vision loss I think it may be safer for him to use a wheelchair at this point.
I'm not sure of the name of the American association for the blind but they may be able to help with any training and adaptive devices that might help, an assessment of your home by a regular occupational therapist could be useful as well.
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Could you make ‘paths’ in the house, to help him get around? They could be brightly colored, or have a different texture that he could feel as he wheels his walker around. Industrial safety stores have fluro tape that will stick to some surfaces, or you could use ordinary tape to fix a flexible rubber ‘pipe’ to the edge of the ‘path’. Taste and smell are a bit harder to use as senses that still work, but perhaps a scent in the bathroom would help him to head the right way.
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So sorry to hear of your husband's situation.

I have a relative that cannot always manage to walk safely (other reasons) when away from home. Physio assessment conclusion: Standby supervised walking was now required ie not just supervised from a few metres away but standing right beside to guide. It was a big drop to independence.

I am sorry but I cannot think of any other solution for your husband than Standby Supervision. Or maybe?.. he will start to rely on memory?
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Contact the Braille Institute for resources. They can offer a lot of help and were very helpful with my mom who had macular degeneration.
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I would check around to Physical Therapy favilities and see if they offer occupational therapy for those who have or will lose their sight. The therapist can evaluate you house and see what changes should be made. Your county should also have a Disabilities Dept. Call and see what resources they have for the blind.
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