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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Help Elderly Mother Walk Again?

hi, i am trying to help my elderly mother walk again. The rehab unit of hospital sent her home because they say she did not make any progress with the physio there (who used special walking frame and harness). What can i do to get mum to walk. She is so scared and keeps thinking and telling me and my sistere that she is going to fall. We hold her to get her to stand up but she just leans her bottom back and will not stand straight.

Note: she has dementia and so it is difficult for her to remember anything we would try to train her to do etc.
Tue, 4 Mar 2014
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

There are certain conditions (like cerebellar lesions) that do not benefit from Physiotherapy... Discuss with your doctor to check her status.

Physical rehabilitation goes hand in hand with Psychological rehabilitation.
Confidence building measures may help – like carpet to prevent injury / supporting personnel on either side and so on...
Rewards for trial and achievement - like once in a way relaxation of diet / going for an outing – may help some
Get her friends / other people with similar disability – to talk to her...

Patience and perseverance pay in the long term...

Take care     
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement Dr. Saurabh Gupta's  Response
Hi,
Your mother not need onlt hysical rehabilation, beside that she need mental rehabilatation as she is also suffering from dementia.
You can request your mother's physio to start working with her on increasing her mobility and even training the family or staff to walk with her. The family can participate in goal setting, and request that goals be directed towards fall prevention, independence in toileting etc.

wishing her soon recovery.
Regards.
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How To Help Elderly Mother Walk Again?

Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic There are certain conditions (like cerebellar lesions) that do not benefit from Physiotherapy... Discuss with your doctor to check her status. Physical rehabilitation goes hand in hand with Psychological rehabilitation. Confidence building measures may help – like carpet to prevent injury / supporting personnel on either side and so on... Rewards for trial and achievement - like once in a way relaxation of diet / going for an outing – may help some Get her friends / other people with similar disability – to talk to her... Patience and perseverance pay in the long term... Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck