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He falls a lot, currently lives in an assisted living but may soon be needing more advanced care. He falls all the time and is sent to the hospital a lot. He uses a walker but many times just trips over his feet. He is doing physical therapy but it does not seem to make him better. He does have a wheelchair but does not like to use it.

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My mother lived in AL and fell 40x during her stint there; she NEVER went to the hospital b/c she never had injuries to warrant going! What is the policy at dad's AL that he's going to the ER all the time? Is he actually injured or is it just their 'policy' to take him to the ER each time he falls? B/c that's ridiculous!

In AL, aides are a pull-cord away from coming to help your dad do transfers or whatever else he needs help with. I'll bet he won't call, though, right? That was my mother to a T.

It's time for dad to use a wheelchair fulltime now b/c Parkinson's and other neurological diseases reach a point where it becomes necessary. Physical therapy is not a miracle cure; it will reach a point where it's useless, which is what happened with my mother too. She had bad neuropathy and during a hospitalization in 2019, the doctor said it was past time she went into a wheelchair full time. So she did. She wound up falling out of the wheelchair a lot and during transfers she insisted on doing HERSELF, but they were shorter falls at least, all 55 of them. She stayed in the same AL but moved into Memory Care after that hospitalization. She still never went to the ER for any of her falls b/c she wasn't injured, believe it or not.

Remind dad that he doesn't have to 'like' using the wheelchair, but it's time TO use it now. Otherwise, the AL may ask him to leave and move into a Skilled Nursing Facility and he'll like that even LESS than he likes a wheelchair, and they may require it TOO. Advanced old age and disease really stinks, but it is what it is, you know?

Wishing you the best of luck with a difficult situation,.
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Kmi7688 Apr 2022
@Lealonnie1 thank you. It is not their policy unless he requests to go or is not communicating. He passes out a lot or claims he banged something. His original AL sent him all the time, but the new one he is at doesn't unless he hits his head or claims he got hurt or does not respond.
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My Papa had Parkinson’s, they call it the Fall Down Disease. The person usually falls backwards, not to the front or side. Anxiety is a huge symptom with Parkinson’s, it may look like something else. It took us a little while to figure it out.

My bullheaded Papa insisted on living alone, at home, FAR longer than he should. His doctor went along with it because he felt sorry for the “old guy”.

So we bought him a scooter and he drove it INSIDE the house. That way he only had to take a step or two into the bathroom, or to his chair or bed. It really cut down on his falls.

He tried a walker and a rollator, but because his balance was shot, he just took them down with him when he fell.

This is a tough journey you both are on. You’ll probably think I’m crazy, but humor helps a lot. They are embarrassed by the loss of control and the change in their life. Humor helps, believe me.
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Like LivinginTX , we got a used scooter at a garage sale held by a man who had recently lost his wife.    It was battery driven, operated with a key, just like a car.   Dad enjoyed driving up and down his street, down to the beach (we had lake property), and around the neighborhood.

I think we paid around $40/$45 for the used model.   This was perhaps 6 -7 years ago.

https://www.myamigo.com/healthcare/


Another option is a rollator, with brakes so that the individual can more safely operate it.  It can also be used to carry things, something a walker can't do well even with a front loaded basket.  If I ever reach the stage of needing support, I intend to bypass walkers and go straight to a rollator.

https://justwalkers.com/collections/rolling-walkers

We got ours at a DME supplier affiliated with a local hospital.  It was new, but I don't remember the cost.   I was glad we bought it from a DME source b/c we learned more about how to operate it, as well as its benefits.  

One of the important issues is to use the brakes when stopping and getting off it, so it doesn't roll (like a walker could).
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Parkinson's alone can make a person unbalanced. There's no need for an injury. Every case is unique. Parkinson's causes joints rigidity, tremors and muscle spasticity. Depending on the stage of advance of the disease, a person can become totally bed ridden. The rigidity of his/her joints makes if very difficult to ambulate. On top of that, the tremors complicate every move. Usually, it requires two people to manage one case of Parkinson's. Some people only want to hear what they like. Of course, they are free to dream.
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Kmi, my wife has Parkinson's. I realize your father lives in AL. We live at home. She falls a lot. She uses a walker. The most dangerous walk for her, is from the bathroom to her desk. We have grab bars on the walls. But it's still very risky. Our only solution is to hire aides. She now walks less alone. If she walks alone, there's a 30% chance she might fall. So now, she waits for me or the aides to help. Up until a few months ago, she used to fall less. But with every fall of course, she becomes less mobile since she's injured from the previous fall. Luckily, no broken bones.

Parkinson's is called the falling disease.
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I can not give you fantasies. Let's face the truth. Your father will never get better. Parkinson's is incurable and progressive. Frequently it's accompanied with Lewy body dementia. The disease will continue to advance despite all efforts to stop it. Parkinson's medicines only help to control some of the symptoms. Eventually they become useless. Their side effects are sometimes worse than the disease. Your father seems to be in the last stages of the Parkinson's.
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Katefalc Apr 2022
What the heck is wrong with you? You are clueless and heartless. My mother and all her siblings had Parkinson’s and you are way off . Stop the DARK comments when people are looking for support and encouragement.
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There are special walkers made for people with Parkinson's. The problem with Parkinsons is the person falls backwards not the normal forwards. These walkers are weighted in such a way to help prevent that.
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I got my mom a scooter wheelchair. She loves it. It's a little joystick controlled scooter that's like a wheelchair.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082NYHJ76/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

She was using a walker, but you can fall with those too. She wasn't really strong enough to use a normal wheelchair and roll the wheels. And she felt like it made her 'old'. Ha! With this she feels like she can go anywhere and do anything and that it's as easy to maneuver as a walker, but it's not as 'noticeable' as a big wheelchair. I admit it's a lot of fun to cruise around in it. He might like it.

I checked out all the various models and this one seemed like the best at the best price. I was afraid she wouldn't use it, but once I showed it to her and how easy it was to get in and out, she loved it. There's a video on that link on amazon that shows a guy setting it up for his mother.

They say it's 41 lbs and comes with a carrying case, but it feels a lot more than that. It's portable, but not every day portable. Good luck.
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TChamp is being his/her usual negative self instead of offering any helpful ideas. He/she also does not know much about Parkinsons if they think your dad is in the last stages of the disease. The fact that he is still walking with a walker, albeit unsteadily, means he's far from end stage unless there are other things going on. I agree with others that a wheelchair may be needed soon for safety, but they should continue working with him to use the walker under supervision because walking is one of the best exercises for people with Parkinsons. Being able to stand is important for being able to transfer from bed to chair, to the toilet, to get in and out of cars, etc. You dad should also be encouraed to work on upper body strength, also important for maintaining function. People in wheelchairs can still propel themselves to get where they want to go by using their arms to push the wheels or by "walking" with their feet while seated. People with Parkinsons who require wheelchairs can live comfortably for quite a few years depending on what their other symptoms are and how those symptoms affect quality of life and longevity. My brother in law with Parkinson's has been pretty much wheel-chair bound for 6 years now, and has been in a nursing home all that time. He also has tremors and his speech is pretty bad, but he seems to be reasonably happy and is doing OK. Swallowing problems are much more significant than mobility problems in hastening death in Parkinsons folks.
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@Kmi7688, there is a nifty tri-wheeled stand-up non-motorized walker which I just discovered when I searched online for mobility help for unsteady walkers who want to continue walking as long as possible. This can be used both indoors and outdoors and may prove just what your dad needs to stay active:

https://www.thealinker.com/

Fingers crossed you can find solutions for your dear dad!
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