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If she holds my arm like I'm a proper gentleman, I have one arm/hand free to open doors, etc. But if she were really about to fall..... I wouldn't easily catch her w/o a big shift, b/c my hands are in front and to side of her. If I put one arm around her back for full support, then my other arm is.. well, she can grab my hand that side, but is not as stable as my gentleman's arm would be, plus if I have both hands full of her, I can't be opening doors etc. ????
She doesn't really need that much support.... ie she doesn't need a walker instead of a cane. But when we go to doctors etc and she is unsure, that translates into hesitance w walking, and automatic 'don't think I can do this', blah blah (every. Single. Time. We. Go out and she doesn't want to.) OH. Mom has mild dimentia and is almost 95.

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Personally, I would consider a transport chair. This is a small wheelchair meant for transporting a person in situations where they are uncomfortable. It doesn't mean she stays in it full time but it is much easier. I did this for my mom when I took her on a cruise. It was a long walk up a ramp and she would have been terrified. She wasn't happy about the chair idea at first but when she saw that ramp...let's just say there was no more complaining about the chair. Back at home, she refused to even use a cane when her dementia was mild, even though she had used one quite a bit before. Now she has progressed from a walker with a seat to a wheelchair full time but the dementia is much worse and she cannot understand that she can use a walker safely.
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Reply to Lovemom1941
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This is well explained online.
Go to google: type in "How to assist elder with walking". You can access films also.

Much depends here on the anxiety (usual regarding possibility of falls) the elder has. Sometimes this makes a person unable to properly follow instructions, and it may take some practice (kinda like dancing!).
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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My 100-yr old Aunt fell 3 times, 2 of those times she was walking right next to her family caregiver. Please consider a walker or wheelchair for her.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Care staff are trained to not grab someone to try to prevent a fall because they will not succeed, plus they can injure themselves. If she needs that level of support then she does need a walker or rollator, at least when she is out for appointments and such, in fact that's exactly who they are designed for.
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Reply to cwillie
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As someone who uses a Walker/Rollator, I highly recommend one for her. They are lightweight, have a very cool little seat where she can rest if needed (like when waiting in line) and a nice place to store her purse, sunglasses, a bottle of water, a snack.
I'll bet she'd like it.

A lot of seniors use Walker/Rollators for balance, and not always for support. They make life much easier. And, you can still walk beside her as a gentleman and assist her. Except with a Walker, she can focus more on chatting with you - and less on worrying about falling or losing her balance.
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Reply to QuiltedBear
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We use a walking belt outside the house. It gives you something to grab hold of to steady/support the loved one.
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Reply to jwellsy
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She needs a walker or rollator, and you both need training in order to learn how to use them. It can be tricky to transfer from car to rollator or chair to rollator, etc. Get a gait belt to put around her waist when needed, for instance, when walking her somewhere.

These things might look to you like something that she can immediately use with your guidance, but without proper training for you and for her, disaster is possible. Ask her doctor about prescribing physical and/or occupational therapy and make sure you attend with her. Since she has dementia (mild or not), don't depend on her remembering much. You drive the bus now.

I hope it goes well.
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Reply to Fawnby
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I agree with the suggestions that she needs a transport chair.
If mom is resistant, and you are both insistent on walking together, with you as her support, holding on to your one arm is giving her the support she needs to feel more comfortable, as long as you are strong enough to support her weight with your one arm.
If she needs more support than that, it is dangerous for both of you if you think you are going to catch her or stop her from falling. She really needs a chair for safety if she is unsteady.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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