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She is very stooped over when we go outside. If she did not take my arm or another caregivers' arm when outside here apartment, then she would fall (she did about five years ago and broke a rib. Her son thinks she should have a cane.
But what type, given that she is 4'8" and wears about 100bs? Footed or regular and what is the best type of handle (her hand strength is normal.)
Does anyone have experience with a cane for a person with severe memory loss. I doubt she will remember to use it in her apartment (she lives alone).
Going to an OT or PT seems like an unnessary step. There are so many smart people on this site; I am sure someone can answer this question.
Many thanks

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My cousin's lack of short term memory caused her to constantly forget to use her her 3 legged cane. She would constantly walk outside over hilly ground without it, when she knew how poor her balance was. Multiple falls and fractures resulted. Eventually, we realized it was dementia. She was placed in Assisted Living and there she continued to forget to use it. Eventually, after a fractured spine, she ended up in a wheelchair.

I would find a way to have her supervised around the clock. She will likely fall and get fractures and it doesn't get better after that. Even that will not make them use a cane or walker.
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I agree, she should not be living alone. Though that is easier said than done.
Regarding cane, I would recommend a rolling walker. My mother with dementia uses a trifold roller walker inside our apartment and a rollator walker with seat when we go out.
She never got the hang of using a cane. Her balance was too unstable.
She loves the rollator; calls it her Cadillac.
I ordered both from Amazon.
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Get a walker , never a cane. She should NOT be living alone. Is this your mom? If yes, its time to take her home to live with you.
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FYI She has severe short term memory loss.
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I wouldn't recommend a cane at this point. She would do much better using a rolling walker that has a seat. If she could manage one now that she is stooped over.

My late Mom [97] was also very thin and under 5' tall as she advanced in age. Mom would use her cane once in awhile, more so when we were out shopping. I noticed over the years Mom, who use to stand straight was now becoming very stooped over. And I believed it was from the cane, as she was stooped over to the side where she used the cane. One could see it when she wasn't using the cane.

Now my Dad had a cane for awhile but he preferred the safety of using a rolling walker. Dad is still standing straight being in his 90's. There were times when he would forget to use the walker thus it would be elsewhere in his house. Eventually his caregivers became Drill Sargents when it came for him to use that walker :)
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She needs to be evaluated by a physical therapist and taught how to use a walker. Get her doctor to script a PT evaluation.
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