Why can't mom move her feet to walk?

Look up Parkinsonian Gait in Wikipedia and ask the MD about meds combined with visual and auditory cueing. Or look up "Parkinson's FOG" (freezing of gait).

MaggieMarshall, if Mom has Parkinson's, the answer probably lies there. It was once "mild" but it is a progressive disease. Also, your profile says she has dementia. The kind of dementia most commonly associated with Parkinson's is Lewy Body Dementia. She has also had a stroke, and that is commonly associated with vascular dementia. ("Commonly" does not mean always.)

There are plenty of explanations of why she can't get her feet to move as she wants them to within her Parkinson's and dementia. Discuss this with her doctor.

I wonder if switching to a wheelchair in the evenings would be a relief to both of you? Let Mom continue walking with your help earlier in the day, to maintain the strength she needs to transfer. Push her around later in the day. Also use a wheel chair out of the house, such as shopping, visiting a museum, any of that kind of outing. It reduces frustration and makes the entire experience more pleasant for both of you.

This freezing is a symptom of Parkinson's. Just heard a talk about this in the last month or so. Get her back to the doctor and to physical therapy to know best how to help her.

All very helpful answers. Thank you!

But CountryMouse!! I demand you stop recording us in the privacy of my home!!

Honestly, that sounds just like me! Same words! Same Aaaaaargggh! Lordy! Last night, I tried to use the wheelchair after an unsuccessful attempt with her on her feet. Me Aaaaarggghing.

She was MAD. Took her in the bedroom to go on the potty, and she wouldn't get up. "Leave me alone!! Will you PLEASE hush!!!" I ended up leaving her in her chair for about half an hour in their to cool down. Invited her to just sleep there.

I asked Tom to go in. Lo and behold, she was finally ready to go to bed.

And now she's clamoring to get up.

Tom suggested we get her into bed earlier. (Now it's about 10 PM.) These new symptoms are 'just lately' and always at night. I may try that, but if she wakes at the crack of dawn, that won't work.

I'm taking advice here. No walking after 6 PM. I'll see if that helps.

But, seriously, Countrymouse. No more recording. ;)

This is an old thread revived, but it has me wondering if Maggie ever solved the problem, lately my mom was doing the same thing but only with one leg, she would be walking along and suddenly that leg just wouldn't go.
Of course she isn't walking at all right now but I am still hopeful she can get back on her feet.

Mea culpa - I was glad to think that Maggie was back and posting and didn't even check the original posting date.

Cwillie, have the doctors thought of any reason why your mother's one leg suddenly becomes immobile?

Maggie, does your mom have AD? I thought I had read that somewhere....?

Up until 5 months ago my mother was walking pretty darn good....it was almost an overnight change... the shuffling started and scared to move, then stepping over sunbeams and yellow lines.... her eyesight is still great, her perception is gone. And or, maybe. her mind is confused at how to walk? This is just based on how my mother is.... she gets so confused on how things work, she will just stand there for awhile and try to regain thoughts/actions that are gone.

Sorry.... it is hard

Maggie, I'd report that straight away. My mother started doing that after her (small) strokes last year - it's really quite baffling when you're both standing there looking down at her feet, and you're saying "move your left foot back. No, the left. No, move - what's the matter with your foot??? Move it back! Aaaaaargggh! - I said BACK - !!!"

Presumably in my mother's case it's co-ordination controls going haywire, but if your mother has been diagnosed with Parkinson's my money would be on that. Don't despair, PT can help with balance exercises (if you have more luck than I did getting your mother to DO them).

Maggie, I've been wondering if you had left or where you were. It's good to see you back again, but I wish it were under different circumstances.

I'm wondering as well about spinal cord issues - has she mentioned any unusual sensations in her spine, back, lower back, hips or upper legs?

My mom has so many advanced problems that docs have all stopped looking for answers and are basically focusing on keeping her comfortable.
I on the other hand am curious as to the reasons behind things, which usually causes me endless frustration. Better perhaps to just accept things as they are and deal with problems day by day.