My mom used to walk a lot. Just within the last yr. Now I can't get her to walk down the hall in her assisted living residence. says her legs hurt too much. she sits, or lays around most of the time. I try to take her out shopping, where she has to walk. missed a bus trip the other day because she couldn't make it up the steps of the bus (3 of the).. and refused to be lifted in a wheel chair. how do I get her moving again? or is a wheel chair gonna be the answer?
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Or the lesser of the two #2 "the body in motion stays in motion."
I don't think the later is her issue, though. I would get her to a geriatric psychiatrist, who can dose meds. Not a psychologist...they won't help her except to just listen to her story and send her away with nothing accomplished. Depression is quite common in elders. Think about it for a minute. Many of them in their past used to hold down full-time jobs, were engaged in hobbies that they can no longer do whether it be due to vision loss or forgetfulness. My own late mother, who deceased at 94 and was classified as legally blind...just about 2 years before that when I would visit would say to me "there must be something I can (still) do." So okay, I gave her the job of putting return address labels on her Christmas cards and it didn't go well. Then 6 months prior to her death, I had to leave my home from 400 miles away and move into her home where she chose to live alone. She would be in her kitchen making her annual 20 batches of Christmas fudge-she had done this since she was 15. I would find her in tears. She was having trouble cutting it into squares because of her low vision! I said "now don't you worry nor cry any longer because who, at 94 years of age, can even make the fudge? I will cut, wrap, plate and place the bows on top just the way you like it."
To others on this forum, fair warning, please don't bite my head off because I suggested MI. Thank you all! We are all a wonderful group, who come together with suggestions, possibilities, ideas, brainstorming sessions and I love you all.
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It sounds like he's not really taking the time to properly evaluate her for cognitive decline, vitamin deficiency, stroke, etc. I might find another doctor who is more interested in the patient.
Also, has she seen an ortho doctor? They should be able to see what is going on with her legs and/or back. Sometimes a back issue can effect the legs.
Also, examine her medication. Cholesterol lowering meds can cause muscle pain.
How old is she? I don't think it's unusual for people who are in their 80's and 90's to cut back on a lot of physical activity.
Depending on her reason for not being able to walk, a wheelchair would make it possible to get her out and about. Physical therapy may help, but I would prefer the chair over her falling and getting a fracture. My cousin fell down and got so many fractures that a wheelchair was a welcome relief. For the first time in months, she was fracture free. She has dementia and physical therapy was not very helpful, but for someone who doesn't have dementia, that might help.
Ask the doctor to order physical therapy. They will help strengthen her legs Be there when they come and continue the steps when you visit. I did this with my Mom, even after she had broken a hip. She stopped walking about 2 months before she passed, but she had no trouble transferring. BTW, she was 98 when she died.
Is her balance alright?
Is she having problems with her ears or her hearing? Either can cause balance or vertigo problems.
Do her feet bother her or her shoes?
Have you tried a walker for her if she does not yet use one? That can provide a bit of security and if you get one with a seat a place to sit if she gets tired easily.
And if she is now weak from lack of muscle use, physical therapy might be the best approach.
While working on the pain and therapy issue, I encourage wheel chair use, at least for some things. Now she is sitting most of the day, missing outings, missing stimulation opportunities, and generally (I'll bet) stagnating. I don't see that sitting in a wheelchair would be worse then sitting in a chair, and maybe she could regain some of her former activities.
If at all possible it would be good for her to regain the strength to go up three bus steps (with help) and definitely to retain enough strength to transfer from one surface to another. But use of a wheelchair could be a very helpful supplement.