My 80-year-old mother says she feels off balance, has trouble walking and has fallen a few times. Does anyone have any idea what is causing this?

I would suggest a cane, but it really sounds like she needs a walker.

As you can see by all these answers, dizziness and falling are a common problem. A therapist noticed my aunts shoes were too flat (converse sneakers). I had vertigo from the inner ear crystals. So, make her a few appointments and keep after it until her condition improves. If you hit on the solution, the problem will usually almost instantly improve. Until it does, try to get her to use a cane or walker to be on the safe side. Ask her dr to order PT to learn how to use the aid properly.

Has she been evaluated by a neurologist for a silent stroke also known as TIA? My mother suffered balance and walking problems right after a TIA hit her brain.

My mom does this too. She falls or almost falls daily. Her doctor did tests and her heart will "misfire" at odd times and down she goes. Now, my daughter is doing the same thing and her diagnosis is exactly the same as moms.

When you go to a doctor, I strongly recommend a Gerontologist. Both my husband and I received a much better physical exam including testing from the one we went to than either family doctor.

This may seem too simple, but I hope it is this!
Have her ears checked for excess or impacted wax. My mother had her ears cleaned by a nurse, and a LUMP fell out. I myself thought my hearing had diminished, and AFTER a professional cleaning I was briefly dizzy until my balance adjusted!

Hi Shawn,

My mother had the same symptoms. I took her to an ear specialist where they found that the "crystals" in her ear were out of place and wrote a prescription for specialized physical therapy.  The therapist performed the Epley Maneuver which helped her dizziness immediately.

Wishing you the best on your journey to help her.
Kit

I had a problem of feeling of balance and through my HMO I found that physical therapy could help that. Also I read of statins causing dizziness in elderly people and asked my Dr. about that and stopped taking my cholesterol med and my dizziness subsided.

My mother-in-law fell several times before the doctor diagnosed her with a leaky valve in her heart hope this helps

My mother-in-law was diagnosed with a leaky valve in her heart that was what was making her fall

We can sit at our computers all day and speculate but the only answer will come from the Drs and maybe not even then. "Things" happen as were age. Start with the PCP and follow any advice for further testing or referrals. My first thought would be a neurologist. In the meantime get her a walker with front wheels and strongly encourage her to use it

It could be a urinary tract infection. Very common in elderly men/women and the symptoms are not the same as they are for younger people.

There are many good suggestions of things to check out above. It really could be anything, ranging from infections, blood pressure, medications, etc. Has she had any head scans? An MRI showed that my LO had multiple strokes when she was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. She started having horrible balance issues, falling very easily. She would let go of her walker and just fall straight back at times. She really had no balance just before her fractures put her in a wheelchair.

You might check her vision too. Does she wear glasses?

Shawn, another idea, what kinds of shoes is Mother wearing? Check the soles of the shoes to see if one side had worn down too much.

Sometimes the simplest things can be the culprit.

My mother was dizzy and falling from anemia combined with poor diet. Once I stepped in and made her eat properly and take iron pills, the dizziness stopped.

Is she walking funny. Like shuffling? Try neurologist if so.

Have her checked for Creutzfeld Jacob disease. Very rare, but symptoms sound familiar. My daughter-in-law's mother had it.

Hello Shawn,
I would suggest blood work to rule out MDS (see link: http://www.mds-foundation.org/what-is-mds/). My mother fell twice before a rehab doctor diagnosed her with MDS. Her red blood cells would die off and cause her to fall. My mother said she never felt dizzy before falling. She had to be treated with blood transfusions, iron infusions (when needed) and a Procrit Rx. I wish you all the best in helping your mom to figure this out.
Regards,
Donna

Shawn, by chance did your Mother get new eyeglass lenses? If she still has her old glasses have her try them and see if that makes her feel better.   Just a thought.

My Mom had issues with feeling off balance. For her, taking antihistamines seem to help, so apparently it was allergy related. I would first check with your Mother primary doctor before taking any over-the-counter allergy relief . Since it is April, tree pollen is usually at an all time high.

Have the ruled out normal pressure Hydrocephalus? Has she been evaluated for Parkinsons? I think a good neurologist would be the place to start.

I would try and seek a second and third medical opinion. I know it can be a lot of things but maybe they need to review her meds? new side effect? low blood pressure? is she having mini strokes?

Sorry Shawn. I know you are doing the best you can for your mom. And sometimes it feels like you are trying to find a needle in a hay stack. I hope you are able to get to the bottom of this issue for your mom.

Orthopedic doctor, or neurologist.

Have an X-ray done of her back.

If she has issues with any bone beginning to interfere with her spine cord she could have loss of motor control in her legs.

This is one of many spinal problems my Mom has.