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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Memory Loss, Loss Of Mobility And Imbalance In Aged People?

my father is 81 was always in good health rode his bike 3 miles a day gulf walks 2 years ago started having memory loss on occasion, complained of always being cold . As of 6 months ago has lost his balance falls off his bike, falls when walking .Falls on average twice a week.he now shuffles when he walks ,has a shake in his hands very depressed doesn t want to get out of bed. Doctors cant find anything wrong they say hes a normal 81 yr old .He has never been normal for his age he was very athletic up until a year ago. What could be wrongj
Tue, 29 Mar 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi as the doctors have mentioned it's probably very normal for his age. You have always seen an active athletic man in him that it is hard for you to accept that he is growing old. This also doesn't mean that you have to let him get old and do nothing about it. Maybe it's not going to be possible for him to get on his bike all over again or run a marathon but he can still do things that are safe and appropriate for his age. He needs to be spoken to a lot. Keep him company let relatives and friends come over and talk to him. If there are kids even better. It'll get him out of his depression and feeling of worthlessness. Let him do small chores around the house. Walk around the neighborhood. Play some games on a phone or solve puzzles if he is interested in that kind of things. He can involve himself in listening to music. If he wants to go outdoors it's always better that somebody accompanies him. As he has imbalance he can take a walker with him. The options are endless you will just have to figure out what works best for him. It's a slow process. With respect to his tremors if it's hindering his activities he can definitely get medication for it (but not without side effects) you can talk to your doctor about it as they are prescription medications. Sometimes old people are like children and they have to be taken care of like children. At this time the support of his family is what he requires the most more than any medication. I wish your father good health. Take care :)
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What Causes Memory Loss, Loss Of Mobility And Imbalance In Aged People?

Hi as the doctors have mentioned it s probably very normal for his age. You have always seen an active athletic man in him that it is hard for you to accept that he is growing old. This also doesn t mean that you have to let him get old and do nothing about it. Maybe it s not going to be possible for him to get on his bike all over again or run a marathon but he can still do things that are safe and appropriate for his age. He needs to be spoken to a lot. Keep him company let relatives and friends come over and talk to him. If there are kids even better. It ll get him out of his depression and feeling of worthlessness. Let him do small chores around the house. Walk around the neighborhood. Play some games on a phone or solve puzzles if he is interested in that kind of things. He can involve himself in listening to music. If he wants to go outdoors it s always better that somebody accompanies him. As he has imbalance he can take a walker with him. The options are endless you will just have to figure out what works best for him. It s a slow process. With respect to his tremors if it s hindering his activities he can definitely get medication for it (but not without side effects) you can talk to your doctor about it as they are prescription medications. Sometimes old people are like children and they have to be taken care of like children. At this time the support of his family is what he requires the most more than any medication. I wish your father good health. Take care :)