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Justme44 Asked August 2019

Mom's mobility worsens & not sure how to handle it all!!

Hi everyone. So my mom took another fall this a.m. It is so scary to wake up to her yelling & then you know she has fallen. Same exact spot as last time. Right in front of her chair. When she lets go of walker and goes to turn around, its all over. Balance is all but non existent. Just so worried for her and about her. I really believe she has Parkinson's. She was diagnosed with early onset like 15 years ago but when I recently took her to different neurologist, she said she did not think so. Surprised me. She said more symtoms would've prevailed sooner. I thought this disease could go in and out of remission. She also said she needs ongoing physical therapy. We are going to get set up for home visits. We have done it several times. It helps during and shortly after and then decline again. Guess I dont have a question. Just frustration and anxiety. Wanting her to have the best care but knowing things are getting out of my help and control being only resource in place.

Hangin Aug 2019
My MIL is 84 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 3 years ago and is recently declining. The Parkinson’s symptoms, such as tremors, aren’t bad at all. Her mobility is the problem. She treats with a neurologist that specializes in mobility disorders. If she hasn’t seen this type of specialist and you are concerned with her current diagnosis, you might want to look into one. Good luck to you!

Isthisrealyreal Aug 2019
I would request an occupational therapist to help her. They can teach her how to safely transfer from her walker to chair and back again. Any areas that she struggles with can be addressed by a good OT and they will teach you how to keep her doing it safely.

Hugs! Being jolted from a sound sleep is traumatic, be sure and take care of you. Now is the time to get other support systems in place. She no longer gets to decide that you will do it all. Stay strong and know that you can do this!

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lealonnie1 Aug 2019
MY mom has bad neuropathy and has fallen dozens of times in the manner you describe, as well as others. PT helps only while it's ongoing. She refuses to do exercises on her own, i should add. She's now wheelchair bound and needs help transferring from chair to toilet, bed, recliner. She tries to do it herself though, continuing to fall.....in reality there is no way to fully prevent it. Even in Assisted Living. I signed her up for physical therapy and she does better. Then she wants to stop. She goes downhill afterward. Then I sign her up for physical therapy again. And the cycle continues.
Old age contributes to all sorts of troubles including balance issues, weakness and general lack of Mobility. As far as I'm concerned there is no fixing it there is just dealing with the troubles as they happen.
I know I know how frightening and frustrating this is for you. Been there done that. Tried all sorts of things, but she doesnt fully cooperate so.......
Best of luck
Justme44 Aug 2019
Yeah not an easy situation at all! Glad to hear your mom is in AL and you have more support in place. I know things are going that way for my mom to. She was also diagnosed with neuropathy. They said her muscle activity was declining fast. I know its time to place her in snf soon but hard pill to swallow. For us both! Best of luck.
againx100 Aug 2019
Can you come up with a safer way for her to get from walking with her walker to her chair?

PT is almost always helpful. If she's done it before and then declines shortly after, is this because she stops doing the exercise? If so, that's no surprise then. You start to lose muscle tone within days of stopping exercising. Staying active and doing specific exercises to address specific problems are an ongoing need for building and maintaining strength.

The neuro who doesn't think mom has Parkinson's - what do they think she does have?
Justme44 Aug 2019
She was diagnosed with bad neuropathy. She will do pt but declines after sessions end.

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