Many of you know my story, but to fill you in. I'm not POA, my brother is but is never around and not willing to admit mom needs more. She is 88, has digerative back, undiagnosed dementia. Had in house physical therapy this winter, when she hurt her back.
Yes to all she needs AL , no doubt in my mind but I have no control over that.
Her balance has gotten a lot worse. It was a bit better after in house physical therapy
I'm wondering if I should get her in more physical therapy to help her balance. It will lead to so much more work for me. That I'm not excited about. Will it be beneficial to her, that much ?
If I new it would be beneficial I'll suck it up and do what I have to do I'm just wondering if it will really help that much
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Balance issues are mainly from an aging brain. They can be helped by doing balance exercises. Problem is they must be done daily. Seniors, esp. ones with impaired brain function, do NOT do them. My brother, in rehab for a month, had Lewy's and very poor balance and was helped so much by daily exercises, but once out of rehab he would not do them, could not be conjoled to do them, thought that walking was "just as good" and did walk a lot, but the balance deteriorated back right away.
I love physical therapists. I think they are the BEST diagnosticians in the world, often better than doctors; they KNOW our bodies so well. BUT, they can only do so much. I doubt this will be of help.
Sadly, as I so often say here, a fall is often the beginning of the end, what takes us eventually into care or to the peace of death. And our balance does go so badly. I always say that at 82 this year I am a feather in the wind on the bus. I MUST hang on. And if tired the balance is just out the window. Gone! I noticed that yesterday after a bus to Trader Joe and hauling some groceries for a walk downhill. Then gardening. When I noticed myself rocky on the flagstones i made myself come inside. I have great stamina overall, but when the balance tells me I need to rest I had better heed it.
Wish I could say I thought your mom would be helped; her doc is probably best to talk with about this because he KNOWS her, but overall I don't think it will help for any appreciable amount of time, Nacy. Good luck.
In home helped, but I'm seeing her getting more frail. Honestly from what I see she might be to frail for pt.
I'm just trying to do what I can to prevent a fall.
Honestly she just needs AL but there is nothing I can do about that until there is a fall.
I'm just searching for answers. And don't want the , should ofs, could ofs, would ofs.
But asking your alls options helps
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However , I have noticed that at some point the gains from PT start being very temporary . In other words , once they stop doing PT , they decline again .
But there is that nagging in back of my head.
My Mom is 95 and has osteoarthritis in her back. We've tried everything for her, including PT. Be warned that most very young physical therapists have no idea what an 88 yr old is not capable of, and cannot relate to being that age. My Mom was going to PT to strengthen her core to help with her back. We specifically sought out an older therapist who actually has a disability and he was perfect for her. Then one week we had a young substitute and she actually injured my Mom.
Then my Mom wanted a back brace and we had appointments for that however when the brace came she realized it was too difficult and complicated to put on herself, plus too hot to wear outside in the summer.
I'm not advising for her to not pursue PT, but you and she need to have tempered expectations if it is ordered, and to find the oldest PT available. Is your Mom disciplined? She will need to be in order for PT to benefit her. And, if she has back pain, she will really need to take meds for that because she will not want to do the PT if it hurts.