Mom has a hard time putting one foot in front of the other. She walks so slow and has no sense of balance. She refuses to use her cane or walker. When we take her out I have to hang on to her to keep her steady. She does live alone. She has furniture in her house positioned where she can hang on to something every step of the way. Mom is 89. I worry about her falling. What typically causes this? She thinks it will get better.
Take my word for it, I know it's hard, but be stern, and yell if you have to! I know as they get older, they get more stubborn. I wish my dad weren't so stubborn and vain...!
I wish my dad was still here so I could yell at him!
Push for a medical evaluation. So many things could be causing this and at least some of them are treatable if not correctable.
Fast forward to now, Dad's only walking is now just down the driveway to get the mail... thank goodness he really like his rolling walker [seat plus hand brake], it has been a great help for him. He had a regular walker with just front wheels but he found it difficult to use. My Mom uses a cane when outside but does *furniture/wall walking* when indoors.
I suggest your Mom see her primary doctor to rule out anything serious other than normal aging decline.
But, if you mom doesn't have dementia, I would be very anxious to see what's causing it. I'm not sure how to insist she use a walker, but if she falls and breaks a hip or fractures her spine, it's very slow to heal. I would point that out to her.
She's FOOLISH if she's not using a cane or walker. It's a sure recipe for a fall and a stay in the hospital, rehab, or nursing home. If this is a new condition, get her to the doctor. Physical therapy would probably strengthen her legs, because they'd work on exercises to build up her leg muscles, depending on what her diagnosis is.
Why does she think it will get better? What is her reasoning?