She leans on things to keep her balance, as she pushes the walker one hand versus using both hands on the walker and letting the walker hold her balance.
Your profile doesn't say what your mother's condition is. Does she have cognitive issues? Physical aliments with her legs, arms or balance? Those things can matter. It could be that she can't remember how to use the walker properly. My LO had that problem, when her dementia started. She just couldn't remember to use her cane, then later walker. She always had to be reminded to use it, every time. So, total supervision was necessary.
Also, I'd ask the therapist about a walker without wheels. The old style seems odd, but, they may seem less scary than one with wheels. If I was afraid of falling, a walker with wheels would intimidate me, especially, if I had balance problems. Also, I'd consult with the physical therapist, but, is it safe for her to hold to walls and furniture as she navigates the house? Maybe, that works for her. I can see how you want her being as safe as possible, though. What kind of floor is she walking on in her house? Is it flat and easy to navigate with a walker?
You might experiment a bit with the kind of walker you have available, I used to wonder why anyone would get the old style 2 wheel walkers when rollators seemed so much better but for indoor use my mom found the rollator too big to fit through doorways and in small rooms, she couldn't remember how to work the brakes and it had a tendency to roll too smoothly and get away on her.
Simply "forgetting" to use the walker is a common complaint with no good solutions, if they are being stubborn then nothing you can say is likely to change their mind and if dementia is in the mix they simply can't remember.
Does your mother have memory impairment? Is it that she just forgets after it has been explained to her? Or she knows what she is supposed to do but doesn't feel safe that way?
Perhaps in her own home she would be better off just furniture walking and not using the walker. Certainly trying to use both is more dangerous than using nothing.
Outside of her own home a wheelchair may be safer.
How old is your mother? How long has she needed some assistance with walking? What other infirmities does she deal with?
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Also, I'd ask the therapist about a walker without wheels. The old style seems odd, but, they may seem less scary than one with wheels. If I was afraid of falling, a walker with wheels would intimidate me, especially, if I had balance problems. Also, I'd consult with the physical therapist, but, is it safe for her to hold to walls and furniture as she navigates the house? Maybe, that works for her. I can see how you want her being as safe as possible, though. What kind of floor is she walking on in her house? Is it flat and easy to navigate with a walker?
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Simply "forgetting" to use the walker is a common complaint with no good solutions, if they are being stubborn then nothing you can say is likely to change their mind and if dementia is in the mix they simply can't remember.
Perhaps in her own home she would be better off just furniture walking and not using the walker. Certainly trying to use both is more dangerous than using nothing.
Outside of her own home a wheelchair may be safer.
How old is your mother? How long has she needed some assistance with walking? What other infirmities does she deal with?