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Normalising the fact we all grow, age & change?

I expect I used to watch trees from my pram. Then could walk & touch them. Many enjoyable times were spent climbing trees..

Now I look at them.
🌳
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Reply to Beatty
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Christine44 Aug 10, 2024
Very poetic.
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They can only deal with it based on whether they have all their cognitive pistons firing. When they don't, this is how so many break their hips and legs and heads. They forget they can no longer walk without assistance, without a support belt and aid, without a walker, or not at all.

If they have all their minds, it is their "job" to come to peace with aging, decline and mortality. Unfortunately, so many of our parents spent 0 time thinking or planning. Other than reassuring and helping them, I'm not sure us adult kids can do anything more except point out that if you live long enough it's going to happen. And also to point out that many people are born with impaired mobility or have it happen at earlier ages due to an accident or illness. Reminding my 95-yr old Mom (who was driving up to this past month) to count her blessings can sometimes bring her around.
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Reply to Geaton777
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ElizabethAR37 Aug 10, 2024
As an old person I don't have a lot of problems dealing with mortality. It's the precursors, physical aging and decline, that are tough. That's the case even though we did our best to think and plan for that eventuality. (We moved to a single-story home near to everything we need with level walkways and no stairs over 10 years ago.) I can get around on my own for short strolls and with a cane for somewhat longer trips. Distance walking is no longer on my radar. That's hard to accept for someone who walked 1-2+ miles/day every day--rain, heat or snow--until a year or so ago. I'm still driving safely at 87.
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I'm not sure what you are asking here - if they are cognizant of their physical decline and shaking their fist at the sky because of this cruel twist of fate I think the best we can do is assure them we will help them be as independent as is physically possible. Then we help them access the PT, OT and devices needed to make that possible.
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Reply to cwillie
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A cane, a walker, a wheelchair, a scooter, a power wheelchair.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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If they need a walker , have PT , OT work with the parent to use it properly.

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Reply to waytomisery
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Im going through something similar. Moms health is failing, she nor my family wants to except it.

Her anxiety and worry is only going to make her worse and worse and there isn't much we can do. For me I'm hoping me accepting that are trips to the store and stuff are over will either help her accept it or maybe she will prove me wrong ( I don't see the latter happening)

There is probably very little you can do. If ya figure it out let me know.

Best of luck.
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Reply to Anxietynacy
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Help your parent obtain and properly use assistive equipment as needed.
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Reply to RedVanAnnie
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hunterm Aug 10, 2024
My mom is coming up on 90 and losing her mobility due to dementia and spinal stenosis. It's become very hard for her to walk even the smallest distance with a regular walker.

Yesterday we bought her a Q50 folding power wheelchair. She was cruising the grocery aisles within an hour.

It was definitely a splurge, so perhaps not affordable for everyone, but worth the investment . We were both thrilled with her ability to have the freedom to safely and independently move around.
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Use a rollator or walker. If legs cannot support weight, a motor or regular wheelchair will help. How about doing chair exercises for arms' and legs' strength?
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Reply to Patathome01
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You don’t it’s a b***h for everyone involved. It was when my wife became bed bound and wore a diaper she lost the will to live.
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Reply to Sample
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My mother had a severe sciatica incident this year and at the time she lost the ability to walk from nerve issues coupled with arthritis.

There was a procedure called a nerve block that helped coupled with PT.

This along with getting her a walker with wheels. Outfitting her bedroom and bathroom with rails and other support items.

Honestly it's about not making them feel like a burden.
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Reply to trinidaughter
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