Follow
Share
Read More
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Yes sorry vstefan is correct down lead with bad up lead with good
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Um, actually the rule of thumb is down with the bad, up with the good. Do get PT and maybe OT involved, try to find out why the leg feels like it will give (hip, knee, ankle??) with an ortho or rheumatology appointment maybe. Here's how the stairs work though: you step down with the weaker leg, and then just to that step with the good leg once you are steady That's one step at a time not step over step. And yes, hold the handrails. The reason is when you step down, the leg staying on the upper step does most of the work in controlling the rate of descent, and when you step up, the leg stepping up does the work in lifting the body.

My mom did the backwards stair climbing going down and it worked for her - she had bad hips and knees, and they had let an OT recommend and get good stair rails installed that served her well. She eventually fell off a step stool trying to clean a closet that did not need cleaned, though....
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

You have gotten very good advice. Do not go backwards as that messes up the brain to much. Use a gait belt as suggested, if you dont have one a wide mens belt will help, fasten it around her waist a bit loosly the person behind her puts their hand through the belt in back. This will help her feel more steady. Use good leg first and go at a pace she is comfortable with. The person in front is there to give extra support if needed. If there are no hand rails i wouldnt attempt it at all. Going down on butt has the big problem of getting on you butt at the top of the stairs so dont think thats a good idea. Nice to see her wanting to be involved. Hope all go ok and everyone enjoys the party.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Use the strongest leg first. That's what the therapists told my father after his falls.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I remember when I went to some classes with my mom prior to her first hip replacement they covered this. Although I can't remember for sure which leg they said to use first - sorry! But you might do an online search using this criteria to find the answer. I'm pretty sure it's as Veronica say - strong leg leads and then proceed like a toddler would - always leading strong leg, one step at a time - not alternating legs. My disabled son is afraid of going down stairs - which for me, is kind of a good thing as it can work like an invisible fence. Anyhow - he will use his heel on the lead foot and slide it down the face of the descending stair. Not sure how this helps but since it is an instinctual act with him there has to be something to it - and he is defiantly stronger on one side than the other. Maybe suggest it - or not, could just add confusion. And if using steps a lot, you wear through shoes quickly.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Is it the same leg Mom feels may give out or do they both feel that way?If it is the same one use the better one to step up then bring the weaker one up to the same step and continue to do this one step at a time. Have her hold on to either the rails or two sturdy people positioned one step ahead of her. Have another strong person behind to push if needed. Let her take her time and decide when she is ready for the next step. Going down is usually easier but use the same principle and let the strong leg lead. You can try carrying her up and down tied to a chair with arms but the helpers need extremely good balance. If the stairs are very wide try the chair method with one person on each side and hopefully a rail on each side too. I agree about not wearing bifocal glasses they do cause a lot of falls.
having written all that I see the original question referred to going down stairs.
I would guess the easiest would be sideways. Have Mum face the rail and hold on with both hands. Let the strong leg lead. Put the strong leg on the next step then bring the weak one down beside it and repeat. Mum will be steady enough holding on with both hands to look down and see where the next step is so she won't get disorientated. A circle of helpers of course is needed for safety but don't stop letting her have fun if she really wants to go.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Who will be at this event? When my grandfather faced this dilemma two burly young grandsons just scooped him up and carried him. Which ever method you choose make sure the helpers are actually physically capable of catching her if she falls otherwise you will have two or three tumbling down the stairs instead of one!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Another thought why Mom could also be afraid of going down stairs beside her leg.... does she wear bifocal eyeglasses? If so, when doing down stairs she would be looking down through the reading part of the eyeglasses so everything beyond that reading level will look very blurry.

One of my Mom's doctors had recommended a single vision pair of glasses when she doesn't need close up vision... like glasses used for driving, looking in the distance. The doctor said it would make walking easier so she could easily step up or down at a curb, instead of using her foot like one does to stick their toes to test to see how cold the swimming pool water.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

For going down stairs, which can be scary as we get older, is to have handrails on both sides of the stairway, depending on how wide the stairs. I work in an older building that has no elevator and the stairways have handrails both sides which are easy to hold onto, never afraid of those stairs :)

Now what to do at someone else's house.... I can't envision a lady of 92 going down the stairs by siding on her backside and trying to slide from one step to another. My Dad [94] has tried that at his own house which has stairs that are U shaped thus there is a landing for him to rest, and he said he was exhausted.

I wouldn't recommend going backwards down the stairs as that is so unnatural that anyone helping Mom could fall in the process.

Best bet is like you had mentioned having two people helping Mom.... have Mom hold onto the handrail with someone holding her arm as a guide. Now a younger bigger person could be in front of her as a buffer in case she feels she will fall, but note whomever is in front could also fall.

I recommend whomever is helping Mom to do this quietly, the softer the voice the easier depending on her hearing.... no loud WATCH IT, MOM, DON"T FALL, as that could startle her.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I'd also make sure that the handrails on this staircase are well anchored.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I would consult with a physical therapist about this. A gait belt might be a safe bet.

Have you spoken to her doctor about this " feeling " she has?
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter