Regular walkers are fine--if used correctly. Too many patients 'chase' them, always pushing it waaaay out in front of them, rather than standing kind of 'inside it' and using for support, not as a battering ram.
My mom is 90. We quit trying to get her to stand up ages ago. She uses that thing to bash into doors, our ankles when we take her shopping and to carry all her 'stuff' around.
I dont have any personal experience with this, but I keep seeing TV advertisements for an upright walker. It seemed much better than using a regular Walker. But I dont know if appropriate for everyone or cost.
Simple answer: Old age - it is harder to stay upright - no abdominal muscle strength. Don't waste your time and money on any medical evaluations - at 92 years old things are not going to get better. She will not be a candidate for any surgery that is unlikely to improve her posture.
Just love her and keep her happy through positive thoughts.
Do seek help from the doctor. My parent has this same issue. There were multiple contributors- 1. microfractures of the spine 2. living in a recliner 3. sleeping at night in the recliner 4. Giving up on life, no interest in anything Here is what helped- 1. Physical Therapy 2. antidepressants 3. addressing anxiety associated with fears of dying if they slept in a bed. 4. Reminding them to sit and stand up straight 5. getting them up and on their feet more and out of the recliner 24/7 6. Getting back into a bed at night
They are still hunched over, but it is not as severe and it has slowed in its progression. There is a point that you cannot make them do anything, but I urge you to try because it will create more issues if it goes unchecked. My parent can’t draw a good deep breath due to being so slumped. This makes them susceptible to pneumonia. It also triggers panic attacks because at times they can’t draw a deep breath. If you can convince them to stick with the PT (assuming they need it and get it) and good habits, they will surely benefit.
My 90 year old Grandma does that as well. One thing good for them, and all people see a Chiropractor monthly, so she doesn't have Neck or spinal cord misalignment.
My mother does the same thing. Her upper back is higher than her head.
She had 3+ back surgeries, which she may or may not have needed, but that's a moot point now. Spinal fusions, rods, pins, etc. 2 knee replacements and 1 hip (asking for the other hip to be done--already denied by all surgeons)....
The very surgeries that were 'supposed' to give her stability and strength, ended up with her in a "C" curve.
Rehab PT helped as long as she DID IT. As soon as the PT ended she returned to slumping. She sits at the table with her chin nearly touching the table. She walks with the walker waaay out in front of her--despite everyone trying to be supportive of her using it appropriately. At the age of 90, we all quit. She cannot stand up straight and that's the sad truth.
I remember asking her PT on the last day of her last PT (maybe 5 years ago. He had her walking upright and appropriately with the walker.) Asked him what the chances were she'd maintain that posture, as she looked so much better and could actually SEE above 4' high. He said "She'll never touch those exercise bands nor do a single exercise after I go. Sorry. I know her and this is what she does"
He was spot on. The exercise bands sat and gathered dust and I threw them away when they got 'rotted' and were actually dangerous.
I know her neck hurts her all the time as she has to twist it sharply to be able to see anything. She saw a PT last year and didn't follow through. You can't force a person to try. We have all given up, since she obviously would rather suffer than do the work to feel better.
As I sit here typing I am aware of my ramrod straight posture! If we sibs get together to talk, we all subconsciously stand as tall and straight as we can. I guess that's something.
How long has she been like this? Is she on any new medication? My mother uses a walker with 2 assists and when she ambulates she tends to do the same thing. I try to get her to straighten up, and put the walker close to her. She has severe spinal stenosis, and of course has been to numerous specialists. I would discuss it with her doctor for a possible work up, and also see if a PT consult is in order. When my mom is in her recliner I use a bed tray with a bell. There is also an alarm you can attach to your mother. We tried that, but my mother was so scared, she would not move an inch thinking she would set the alarm off, but everyone is different, it might work for you. Good luck.
Does she have osteoporosis? Or other spinal issues? Has this been discussed with her doctor? Is her walker fitted properly for her height? When my father got his, he went through a fitting at the medical supply place, and one big part of it was to not allow him to slump over.
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My mom is 90. We quit trying to get her to stand up ages ago. She uses that thing to bash into doors, our ankles when we take her shopping and to carry all her 'stuff' around.
Not a fight I choose to engage in anymore.
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Just love her and keep her happy through positive thoughts.
My parent has this same issue. There were multiple contributors-
1. microfractures of the spine
2. living in a recliner
3. sleeping at night in the recliner
4. Giving up on life, no interest in anything
Here is what helped-
1. Physical Therapy
2. antidepressants
3. addressing anxiety associated with fears of dying if they slept in a bed.
4. Reminding them to sit and stand up straight
5. getting them up and on their feet more and out of the recliner 24/7
6. Getting back into a bed at night
They are still hunched over, but it is not as severe and it has slowed in its progression.
There is a point that you cannot make them do anything, but I urge you to try because it will create more issues if it goes unchecked. My parent can’t draw a good deep breath due to being so slumped. This makes them susceptible to pneumonia. It also triggers panic attacks because at times they can’t draw a deep breath.
If you can convince them to stick with the PT (assuming they need it and get it) and good habits, they will surely benefit.
She had 3+ back surgeries, which she may or may not have needed, but that's a moot point now. Spinal fusions, rods, pins, etc. 2 knee replacements and 1 hip (asking for the other hip to be done--already denied by all surgeons)....
The very surgeries that were 'supposed' to give her stability and strength, ended up with her in a "C" curve.
Rehab PT helped as long as she DID IT. As soon as the PT ended she returned to slumping. She sits at the table with her chin nearly touching the table. She walks with the walker waaay out in front of her--despite everyone trying to be supportive of her using it appropriately. At the age of 90, we all quit. She cannot stand up straight and that's the sad truth.
I remember asking her PT on the last day of her last PT (maybe 5 years ago. He had her walking upright and appropriately with the walker.) Asked him what the chances were she'd maintain that posture, as she looked so much better and could actually SEE above 4' high. He said "She'll never touch those exercise bands nor do a single exercise after I go. Sorry. I know her and this is what she does"
He was spot on. The exercise bands sat and gathered dust and I threw them away when they got 'rotted' and were actually dangerous.
I know her neck hurts her all the time as she has to twist it sharply to be able to see anything. She saw a PT last year and didn't follow through. You can't force a person to try. We have all given up, since she obviously would rather suffer than do the work to feel better.
As I sit here typing I am aware of my ramrod straight posture! If we sibs get together to talk, we all subconsciously stand as tall and straight as we can. I guess that's something.
My LO started leaning to the side once while sitting. As it turns out, it was a medication issue and it stopped, once the med was stopped.