My mother suddenly lost mobility and has started falling? How can I get and pay for help with her?

She needs a walker immediately if she doesn't already have one. Go to thrift stores (especially Catholic Charity stores who always seem to have med equipment at fairly good prices) and get her a rollator walker to try. If that is not enough support or she just can't handle it, pick up one of those fold up plain jane walkers and let her try that. Some of the plain janes have a set of wheels on front or back (can't remember) and are a little easier to push around. If she can manage the rollator walker you can get the dr to order one that Medicare will pay for.

Next ask the dr to order physical therapy for her. It will help strengthen the legs. Occupational therapy will help build up her arm strength. Do NOT go buy a lift chair until she can simply no longer stand on her own. It will keep her arms and legs stronger for much longer if she gets up and down on her own. -- My mother brought that to my attention years ago and she was absolutely correct. It is easy to think an elder needs some extra equipment, but it's good to let them struggle just a tad to stay in motion. And you need your mom to stay in motion.

Depending on where you live, there might be some low cost help. However, you say she has Medicare and insurance so that means her income is probably over the limit to get Medicaid (and additional help that goes with that program). For the most part, there will be no substantial help in the house for you/her, so keeping her strong is the big thing now.

If she fights the walker idea - and there's a good chance she will - just let her know how many times she's fallen in X number of months and you are not able to get her off the floor....or she will break a hip. She can work on herself and commit to exercise or take the chance of ending up in a NH if she breaks something.

I will bet she now has neuropathy caused by her diabetes. You just fall with no warning. It happened to my Mom and witnesses said she went down like a lead balloon. Pivoting is the worse thing you can do because it throws you off balance. Not much you can do about the neuropathy, its caused by damaged nerves. She may need to start using a walker.

Yes, don't even try to pick her up. Its dead weight. My daughter is an RN and was helping my Dad on the toilet when he started falling sideways and she grabbed for him. She pulled her muscles so bad they were pulling her spinal column out of alignment. She used a Chiropractor for ages.

I agree, get her to a doctor. They can check for neuropathy. She may need labs to find out how her numbers stand. It can be something as simple as a med. But with diabetes the legs are the first to go because of poor circulation. Your Moms weight does not help. Cutting back on her food intake and some light exercise may help her loose some weight. I think they say if 10% weight loss can make a difference.

Diabetes takes a tole on the body. If your Mom has had no major problems to this point, she is one lucky person.

Think of anything that's changed recently that might have contributed to falling.  And remember that issues like decline in strength can affect balance, as can other medical conditions.  

I have a vague recollection of a lecture I attended at one of the apparently now nonexistent AAA expos.   The medical pro presenting addressed other issues affecting balance, including hearing and sight.    Have either been tested lately?  If not, ask for them when you see a doctor, which should be ASAP.

Yes, take her to the doctor…not to say the following is your picture but maybe you need hospice …

my mom quit walking to the dining room.. didn’t want to be there..she refused to take walks, not long after, she struggled to walk to the bathroom, then the falls started, shortly there after, memory care took her walker away, because she was not safe… few weeks later she could only stand and pivot with assistance to wheelchair… 3 weeks later , hoyer lift… my mom has passed this last week. What I know now , is that she was dying. My mom had been in hospice

Please neither attempt to catch her nor try to pick her up. Both can result in injury to you both. Call 911 and the local paramedics will pick her up and access if transport to the hospital is needed. I went through this many times with my dad and quickly learned to use them, they were always professional and kind. Your mom needs an updated medical evaluation for this sudden change. You can then reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging for a needs assessment to help guide you on what help is available. And know that despite her listening or not, or anything else, the falls will happen, they are the curse of the elderly. My dad fell with me literally right beside him while he wasn’t doing anything he shouldn’t, it’s incredibly frustrating but no one’s fault

You need to get her to the doctor asap.

Any sudden changes should be thoroughly investigated by a health care team. This could be as simple as a UTI or as dangerous as a stroke. Call 911 if you have to.

Thankfully she is to large for you to think you can catch. This is NEVER a good idea, no matter the size of the adult, it is a good way for both of you to get severely injured.

Finding out what has caused this sudden change is your first step to getting her help.