thankyou all for the info regarding falling backwards. i don't have vertigo or dizziness....feet move backwards quickly prior to falling. ty again for your input. its very helpful. i thought traction on the soles of the shoes would be a good thing. barb
barbmp39: My mother had a couple falls that I wasn't aware of as she hadn't told me. When I moved in with her to provide care, I noticed that she listed to one side. Her podiatrist had made a one-shoe lift (fitting inside the shoe), which corrected the problem as listing was a fall hazard.
My husband’s grandfather had polio as a child. He had one leg longer than the other. He had special shoes made for his situation. It’s worth investing in proper fitting shoes.
Certain specialty shoes might offer more traction but backward falls can indicate certain brain issues. One time my mom suddenly toppled over backward which surprised me as suddenly all I saw were her feet in the air! I literally bent over and stood her back up like you would with a Toddler! It astonished me, she had just been standing beside me; thankfully we were on her carpeted living room floor! Her neurologist later explained to me that she had a form of Alzheimer's that was first affecting her motor center in her brain, causing the 'tipping/flipping' over. Then he told me, "She will be completely bedridden before she is completely out of her mind." She was terrified she'd wind up 'in a nursing home' so one note of Grace is that it was a stroke that took her life before she had to be placed somewhere for care (I lived across the country.) I think you can remove all fall hazards but a thorough neuro checkup/evaluation may guide you most clearly.
Thank you for posting this about becoming bed bound before totally losing her mind. My DH aunt had the sensation that she would fall backwards though she never did that I know of.
She underwent many tests and therapy which helped balance each time but slowly she did become totally bed bound. It is amazing how she was such a fit and active person and became bed bound and totally incontinent in the last few years. While it is obvious she has dementia, she does still have her mind in many regards.
She fell very few times. Two or three times after becoming bed bound. She would forget she could no longer walk and twist her ankles when she fell. Only 3 times in the previous years that I am aware of.
She does not have Parkinson’s. She used a cane for years and was very careful and then a walker for a short while.
Yes, good shoes are very important. I just put this in Google: Google: "types of soles to prevent falling" I came up with a good article with tips, and names of certain brands: https://www.caringseniorservice.com/blog/selecting-the-proper-footwear-for-seniors For me, finding a shoe with good "tread" was really important. I went to a podiatrist to look at the type of shoes with good tread that he recommended. He showed me what he was wearing, and I took pictures, too! Also I think purses are important so you're not weighed down on one side, upsetting your balance. I just bought a small "cross style" purse and I love how free I feel. If you google "cross style" or "cross body" purses you'll see what I mean.
Several years ago I was standing in a cemetery looking at a headstone when I suddenly fell backward. I had not moved my feet at all. So it was as though a ghost in the cemetery pushed me.
This is the website for a Roamer Slip-on shoe. It is a Mary Jane t-strap flat with a grounded heel. The straps are adjustable with velcro for a tighter fit or if there is weight loss or gain you can adjust. This is a Medicare approved shoe in "certain" circumstances.
SAS puts them out.
Mother has Lewy Body Dementia and her gait and balance are off. This is her second pair. They cost $185 and she loves them, wears them everyday. You can have your mother fitted for the first pair at a "high-end" specialty shoe store. Usually nurses know where to buy shoes.
These shoes make my mother feel grounded. Also, you can walk on any type of floor services with this style. The gum-like sole is almost eraser like. You can't buy off-the-rack shoes once your loved one has Dementia.
Save all of your receipts, perhaps, based on your mother's health history you can get reimbursed a certain amount. For diabetes you can.
I hope I was of some help. Also, do NOT have your mother wear step-in shoes of any sought including slippers. Get rid of throw rugs (no nightgowns). Pajamas are safer. You can buy sets online at Lands End. I buy petit for my mother. She has her winter and summer collection. I buy on sale.
I hope I was of some help. Be prepared to dish out some good money but you should have these for a while. I also invested in a good pair of slippers that are durable for the my mother as well.
Falling backwards is a common direction to fall with Parkinson's. there are Walkers that can help with this but I have never heard of shoes with wedges. I suspect that would throw off balance even more. A little more information might be helpful..
Are you concerned about falling backwards only or falls in general?
Falls can be for so many reasons. Medication effects, dizzy, BP, legs give way, slips, trips, slides, poor balance, loss of consciousness. Not using supports (cane, walker if needed). sometimes just seems to br bad luck.
How someone falls, speed of fall (or lowered), what they land on will all affect the outcome.
My mother had shoes with lifts built inside/under the heels that helped her from falling backwards. I took her to a specialty shoe store where the owner fitted her properly for her neuropathy and vertigo issues, then placed the lifts inside the shoes for her. They weren't perfect, or cute shoes, and she chronically complained how much she hated them, but they helped her somewhat. In fact, she even had the mini bus take her back to the shoe store once to return the 3rd pair of shoes I'd gotten her! When I caught wind of that little escapade, I drove to the shoe store and repurchased them....lol.
Mom suffered from chronic neuropathy and vertigo, neither of which could be permanently cured, so the shoes DID help her. She still managed to fall 95x though 😑
Her home health nurse told us that this is typical for Parkinson’s disease patients.
Good shoes are important but they won’t prevent falling.
There are occupational and physical therapy exercises that will help with strengthening muscles and balancing issues.
Ask their doctor about participating in home health. It’s covered by insurance.
Best wishes to you and your loved one.
Thank you for posting this about becoming bed bound before totally losing her mind. My DH aunt had the sensation that she would fall backwards though she never did that I know of.
She underwent many tests and therapy which helped balance each time but slowly she did become totally bed bound. It is amazing how she was such a fit and active person and became bed bound and totally incontinent in the last few years. While it is obvious she has dementia, she does still have her mind in many regards.
She fell very few times. Two or three times after becoming bed bound. She would forget she could no longer walk and twist her ankles when she fell. Only 3 times in the previous years that I am aware of.
She does not have Parkinson’s. She used a cane for years and was very careful and then a walker for a short while.
Google: "types of soles to prevent falling" I came up with a good article with tips, and names of certain brands:
https://www.caringseniorservice.com/blog/selecting-the-proper-footwear-for-seniors
For me, finding a shoe with good "tread" was really important. I went to a podiatrist to look at the type of shoes with good tread that he recommended. He showed me what he was wearing, and I took pictures, too!
Also I think purses are important so you're not weighed down on one side, upsetting your balance. I just bought a small "cross style" purse and I love how free I feel. If you google "cross style" or "cross body" purses you'll see what I mean.
When Mom came home from the hospital and had Edema I took Mom to be fitted for the "good" shoes.
Details
https://www.sasshoes.com/womens-roamer-slip-on-loafer/2190.html
This is the website for a Roamer Slip-on shoe. It is a Mary Jane t-strap flat with a grounded heel. The straps are adjustable with velcro for a tighter fit or if there is weight loss or gain you can adjust. This is a Medicare approved shoe in "certain" circumstances.
SAS puts them out.
Mother has Lewy Body Dementia and her gait and balance are off. This is her second pair. They cost $185 and she loves them, wears them everyday. You can have your mother fitted for the first pair at a "high-end" specialty shoe store. Usually nurses know where to buy shoes.
These shoes make my mother feel grounded. Also, you can walk on any type of floor services with this style. The gum-like sole is almost eraser like. You can't buy off-the-rack shoes once your loved one has Dementia.
Save all of your receipts, perhaps, based on your mother's health history you can get reimbursed a certain amount. For diabetes you can.
I hope I was of some help. Also, do NOT have your mother wear step-in shoes of any sought including slippers. Get rid of throw rugs (no nightgowns). Pajamas are safer. You can buy sets online at Lands End. I buy petit for my mother. She has her winter and summer collection. I buy on sale.
I hope I was of some help. Be prepared to dish out some good money but you should have these for a while. I also invested in a good pair of slippers that are durable for the my mother as well.
If no Parkinsin's, I would tell the person's PCP. Normally when we fall, its face forward.
there are Walkers that can help with this but I have never heard of shoes with wedges. I suspect that would throw off balance even more.
A little more information might be helpful..
Falls can be for so many reasons. Medication effects, dizzy, BP, legs give way, slips, trips, slides, poor balance, loss of consciousness. Not using supports (cane, walker if needed). sometimes just seems to br bad luck.
How someone falls, speed of fall (or lowered), what they land on will all affect the outcome.
Adding as much safety as you can is a good aim.
Mom suffered from chronic neuropathy and vertigo, neither of which could be permanently cured, so the shoes DID help her. She still managed to fall 95x though 😑
Good luck!
The only thing maybe that would be close would be slip proof shoes. But if you are worrying about this, I think there is a much larger problem here.
good luck.
Why are they falling backward -- vertigo?
Sometimes people end up in wheelchairs for their own safety, not because they can't walk. Perhaps this is one of those cases.