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ColbysMom Asked October 2019

Mom wants her treadmill back. What do I tell her?

We moved my Mom in with me, my husband and son last year because her Alzheimer's was so bad, she can't be by herself. When we sold her house last year, my sister took possession of Mom's treadmill and moved it to her house but now, she won't move it to my house. Mom's been asking for it, crying, wondering why her daughter "stole" her treadmill. Doctor said she didnt want Mom to use treadmill unsupervised and fall, but Mom wont stop talking about the treadmill. I'm so frustrated about this, it's driving me crazy. I dont know what to tell my Mom anymore about why she shouldn't have her treadmill. Just telling her "its not safe" isn't working.

TNtechie Oct 2019
I think your sister needs to return her mother's property. Since the doctor doesn't want your mother using the treadmill _without_ supervision, I would take the key (assuming it already has a key lock out or have one installed if it doesn't).

Our aging LOs are losing so much of their lives to infirmaries, I think we need to let them keep anything we reasonably can. It's hers, she wants it, and it can be managed safely with little effort.

If you cannot get her treadmill back, you might want to consider a recumbent bicycle for your mother (maybe she will accept the bike is safer?); some models even include a cycle to work the arms too.

NeedHelpWithMom Oct 2019
Can you replace it with an exercise bike? If the doctor says no treadmill I wouldn’t encourage it. Would just become a temptation for you when you’re not there. If she got hurt it would be awful.

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Countrymouse Oct 2019
Is your sister refusing to give it back because she's concerned about the risk to your mother?

Would you be able to put the treadmill somewhere so that your mother could not get to it unsupervised?

The exercise would do your mother good, the problem is ensuring that she is supervised while using it. Assuming you've got that covered and the doctor is happy with the safeguards, but you're still getting nowhere with your sister, could you just get your mother another treadmill?

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