This has been happening more frequently, she says her legs just feel like jelly before they give out. She has recently had a full blood work up and her test results come back great, and show nothing.
Does anyone have any similar situations or know what could be causing this? Each fall has gotten progressively worse and I’m afraid the next one will be catastrophic.
I cannot carry anything else, and use my cane in my right hand! My caregiver has started carrying my purse even. SO…that’s my bag! Zero multitasking!!
This is why she was getting dizzy. The reason she had fluid in her lungs was because the lower half of her esopahagus was not moving the food by an involuntary muscle that was faulty, which moves the food down all the way to her stomack. It would back up until her saliva, and fluids would back up and start seeping into her lungs. This condition is rare and she had to relearn how to eat. She has to take a bite, swallow, and then immediatly do a dry swallow, same with her drink, drink, swallow, and immediatly do a dry swallow.
Once the pneumonia was cured in the hospital all the other conditions went away. Now she is doing great and can take a full breadth of air and her blood oxygen level is 98.
The doctors did several tests and finaly figured out what was happening to her.
I would inform her doctor of this, and get a professional opinion.
For her safety, get her a walker or a wheelchair or even a mobility scooter, something to help her get around without falling!
And if it is just muscle weakness, a physical therapist can suggest exercises to help strengthen. I have found several Physical Therapists on You Tube who specialize in exercise and stretching regimens for elders.
I do these exercises and stretches every day at 63, because I already have weakness in my legs and compromised knee and hip joints, making walking difficult for me. It seems to help, though I don't see any lasting benefit. I still wake up barely able to walk every morning, and as I work out the stiffness, feel much more freedom of movement in the afternoons.
Another thing that can help muscle weakness is getting enough protein and taking a multi vitamin/mineral supplement. That's another area where seniors tend to fall short.
How does she walk? It helps to keep the feet several inches apart, so you can lurch sideways onto the other foot. It looks like a waddle, but who cares? Another habit is to practice squatting quickly, rather than falling full-length. It may be easier to practice taking a stride position, moving one foot as wide as you can to the side, as soon as you feel odd. Feet wide helps the body to balance.
Stairs with no hand rails are VERY bad news.
Think about WHERE she falls. I was taught that it’s surprisingly common to fall when turning a corner, if your foot goes to the corner and then you swivel. This really surprised me, until I did it slowly and found that you go through a point where your legs are effectively crossed and your body weight is not well supported. You need to put one foot out diagonally from the corner point. You have to do this to understand! And you need to be touching something on the corner point of the wall.
I have had a very unusual balance problem for just over a year now, not solved by GP, physician, neurologist or physio. I’m also 77 and have had to cope myself (including coping with my other problems). I haven’t fallen badly, but have come close to it, and I have changed a lot of my walking habits (and usually go out hanging onto dear DH’s elbow).
This takes a lot of thought, not just drugs. Good luck!
I am 69 and have osteopenia that was osteoporosis over two years ago. I take monthly Boniva bone treatments prescription that will continue for one more year and six months, then stopped. Side effects on this prescription are tiredness, headaches and some balance issues, 24 hours daily . I’m unable to stand on one foot for ten seconds without support. I have recently had grab bars installed in my bathrooms. I use handrails and bars, such as up and down on public transit, for balance.
Mine is due to neuropathy and I have bad feet. I have had several surgeries on them for bunions and hammer toes. I am also weak because I don't get enough exercise. The only thing I can tell you is have her doctor order physical therapy. It's alot better if you can go to the office and get your treatment. The machines and equipment make a big difference than doing them at home with nothing to work with but a chair or a wall or cabinet to hold onto.
I have also had two knee replacements, and with all my falls make it hard for me to walk because of the pain and arthritis in them.
I do take Gabapentin for my neuropathy and tramadol for the pain, but I'm not convinced they don't contribute to the falls.
That's about all I have to contribute to your issues with your Mother. I too worry every time I fall it will be the last. I'll pray for you and your Mother.
Sincerely,
Marsha
Also look into Silver Sneakers programs near her. She may be able to build strength that way. I once had wonderful yoga teacher who was 82 and was still doing difficult poses like the Crow. She impressed upon us the importance of maintaining a strong upper body. Her reasoning was that when we start falling, as so many elders eventually do, we need upper body strength so that we can use our arm, chest and back muscles to get us to the door or the phone or computer, where we can let someone know we've "fallen and can't get up."
If you don't do yoga, keep hand weights where you watch TV and do a bit of weight lifting every day when you watch your fave shows. It does make a difference!
Falls are often the beginning of the end and this was the case for my own Mom.
There is a reason here and now you must follow up to find out why.
Your doctor is the one to follow up with--rather HER doctor.
I am glad that the test run so far indicate she is in good condition. But she may need a switch to a good Gerontology specialist if this doctor is poo-pooing this.
I am 82. I guarantee you that our balance goes. And this is sadly the norm. We become feathers in the wind no matter what we weigh. Our lower brain deterioration in the balance centers prevent out orientation spatially. And we cannot recover balance. You mom needs a neurologist exam and she may need PT and balance exercises (which I guarantee you do work but should be monitored by PT because are dangerous to someone already impaired.)
This could be ANYTHING. This could be the beginnings of neuro problems such a Lewy's or Parkinson's that are notorious for balance. This could be postural changes in blood pressure on arrising (symptoms sound like orthostatic hypotension; look it up). That latter you can test out on your own with a good Omron arm cuff measuring device for BP--about 45.00 on Amazon).
But basically this needs medical followup, because this old RN can tell you that you are spot on; falls can be devastating.
My Mom suffered from neuropathy in her ankles and went down like a lead balloon. Mom may need a Neurologist.
Otherwise, many other things can cause balance issues. People with dementia can develop a shuffling gait, so don't pick up their feet as they walk; it can be an inner ear problem like vertigo or Meniere's disease; blood pressure issue; dehydration (which is pretty common in the elderly); a nutritional issue; etc.
Make sure her house is "seniorized" so that there is a minimum of rugs to trip over and grab bars are in place in her shower, with a shower seat, along with improved bright lighting.
https://eldergym.com/elderly-balance/
If she lives alone a fall detection pendant or watch might be a good idea too.