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My husband has Alzheimers and after standing briefly he slides down to his knees. Not exactly a fall. What is happening?

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When my mom did this it was just a sign that she had gotten too weak to support herself. As much as I knew how helpful it was to me to maintain her ability to walk I eventually gave in to reality and transitioned her to a wheelchair.
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Reply to cwillie
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Brandee again.

Mom did this in very late stage Alzheimers. I really think it was more of a brain thing. If she was walking with caregivers she did okay but if they stopped Mom would do a slow squat. I think she was forgetting how to stand.

She did this a fair amount but we kept her moving.
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Reply to brandee
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If this is new , have him taken by ambulance to the ER to be checked out for dehydration , UTI , pneumonia etc . Any number of things could be wrong, or it could just be age and dementia progressing .
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Reply to waytomisery
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My wife does a slow motion fall about once a week. She uses a walker to go anywhere. What gets her in trouble is not using the walker. She will have enough energy to get to the kitchen or where ever, but then won't have enough energy for the return trip.

Another area of falls is the corner of the bed. I keep the bed skirt, top sheet and blanket tucked in under the mattress, especially at the corner so her foot doesn't catch all that loose material and throw her off balance.

Not enough core strength to stay balanced is the real culprit. Once the center of gravity gets too far out it's a slow ride to the floor.

One town near me has started charging $500 for all 911 responses, even to pick someone up off the floor.

Do you have a routine for how to get him standing again?
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Reply to jwellsy
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My mom has dementia, leg pain of unknown cause, and congestive heart failure. She uses a walker and a wheelchair. Often, she gets "wobbly" and, if she doesn't stop moving or someone doesn't help hold her up, she'll start to sink to the floor. Our best guess is that the causes are general frailty, forgetting how to walk, or a combination.
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Reply to Rosered6
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Mom did this. I think she was forgetting how to walk and just wanted to squat.
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Reply to brandee
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Does he have a walker? If so make sure he is using it.
If he does not have one it might be time to ask the doctor for a PT referral.
DO NOT try to prevent a fall.
You can if necessary help guide him to the floor.
DO NOT try to get him up off the floor. If he can not get up himself call the Non Emergency number and ask for a Lift Assist. Paramedics are trained to help people up without hurting themselves or the person they are helping.
If you notice he is starting to "slide down" try to direct him to a chair.
If he is getting up from a sitting or laying position and this is happening this may be related to Blood Pressure and his doctor should be informed as to when this happens.
His doctor should be informed of this in any case if it is a new occurrence.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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