Clumsiness has been a feature which has been growing--very, very gradually--but still increasing. Because Jeff's presentation is PCA, and therefore more visual that textbook AD, this tendency may become a big part of the changes we're experiencing this year.
Coming back from lunch, he tripped over the 2 steps which lead to the porch and ended up on his knees on the porch. Not long after, I heard a big boom and walked into the hallway to discover he'd fallen over the dog into the living room.
It is obviously a concern. My father's demise from Parkinson's was hastened as a direct result of cerebral hematomas sustained while falling, and I see how we could easily head down that path if the falling becomes common, as it seems to be more and more.
Not that you want to stop a physically able person from walking. You don't. Mobility is good, but I'm starting to look around to see what might present hazards.
Recently I had an article in the Breaking News Section about making a house safe for dementia patients. In the article, they designed a special unit, but some of the suggestions are good for the home - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-12552520
DH has ALZ, but is becoming more and more clumsy and sort of shuffles when he walks. He has fallen twice in the last 6 wks. I have removed all throw rugs, even in the bathroom and kitchen. Have moved furniture so that there is a direct line from den, where he stays most of the day in his recline, to the bathroom and kitchen, with no obstacles. He still walks our dog a short distance, and I watch him (he can't see me). As long as he can walk and wants to, I'm encouraging it. I think it's a progression no matter the dx.
DW has broken about every real glass or plate in the house. Hand Eye co ordination is gone. I have to cut up her food for her because she is unable to use a knife. She needs help getting in and out of bath tub to shower, she sits on a stool. Anything fragile needs to be put away as she will drop it. It does not help that we have tile floors in most of the house.
moorsb, Maybe it is time for paper plates etc. or even plastic, anything that isn't easily broken. I know you will need certain items to cook with i.e. casserole dishes and the like. Good luck!
My DH walks differently, he shuffles and goes from side to side and bumps into walls and door jams and he didn't use to do that so he is always hurting himself. I just hold my breath and hope he doesn't fall but I know that one day he is going to. Our apartment is so small that you have one thing on the floor and it already isn't safe. All I can do is the best I can do and then watch him like a hawk. He has Parkinson's too and I am sure that has a lot to do with it. Emily, I agree, I don't want to take away his mobility as long as he has it.
My DH fell and broke his arm.Six weeks later he finally agreed to go and have an xray.By that time it had healed and he had to have surgery.He said it never really hurt--go figure.No one understands.
My dh is starting to stumble over things and loose his balance alot. He is also complaining of being light headed. He has very little understanding of what anyone is saying. Part of the problem with my dh stumbling is that he does not watch where he is going. He is hurting himself more and more by walking into things. I think he doesn't see things as being in his way. He is also not knowing how to get into the car. He looks at the seat like it is a strange thing in front of him. This progression is happening too quick for me.......It needs to STOP RIGHT NOW. WHERE IS OUR CURE??????????
Last night dh had his first really big fall. He has had a few missteps on occasion and he shuffles his feet when walking long distances, but last night he got up to use the bathroom and I heard a long crash and thud. I asked if he had fallen and he said ,yes. I found him on the floor next to the toilet with his shorts around his ankles.....I think he totally missed the toilet. It took awhile,but finally got him up. He said he was okay....kept saying, I don't know why I fell. Just had to share this and hope it's not the start of something more.
Our doctor talked about " lack of body awareness". This is apparently why they do things like sit on a chair that isn't there. It is also why they trip over things more. I guess they don't know where their feet are.
I forgot I started this thread. We're still crashing. A couple days ago, trying to take his own pants off while standing on one leg...crash. Before that, bending over backwards to stretch...oops. Will need to consider a crash helmet, or a padded house.
DH has had several falls, but not from stumbling on anything. He got to the bed Fri. night, then just sort "melted" down to the floor. Nothing was hurt. Was going to call neighbor to help get him up but he said he could do it, and after sitting there for a few minutes, he pulled himself up on the bed. I never try to "help" get him up - he's 213 lbs. - I'm 100! It's almost like he doesn't know what to do with his feet or leg sometimes. There have been times I've had to tell him to pick up his foot just to walk across the room - one foot at a time. I believe jang* is right about the "lack of body awareness".
Dh sometimes falls going UP the 4 steps to our deck. A wonderful couple that is renting the house next door witnessed it, and they came over and built a rail for him. (tears just thinking about their kindness)
we always knew something else was playing into this alz thing but could not figure it out. bobby misses the table when he sits the cups down, takes two steps at a time. steps all over my toes and the the poor dog doesn't know where to lay safely. as of Sat. he has had his 3 cat bite because he does not see the cat and sits on it. sure don't want to have to get rid of my animals, it is a constant battle keeping an eye on him and knowing where the animals are.
The cats have to learn to move faster!! I don't know why they never learn - mine will stay there until you start to put pressure on her, then moves but we are aware she is there. I hope your cats learn soon to get out of the way when they see him coming.
Lloyd has been falling for a long time - sometimes in the morning if he gets up too soon and other times just because he goes where there are trip hazards like rocks in the flower bed. I finally figured out that the falls in the morning were from his sleeping pills still affecting him and the myoclonic jerks sending him to the floor. He also hits his head on door frames all the time. Stopping the sleeping pills has stopped the morning falls and if I need the rest, I give him a half. Sitting is another issue. The toilet is the worse place. I guess it is a little lower than he is comfortable going. Other times, a quick tug on the belt loops will land him where he was headed...but not in the bathroom. I can't tell anyone how many times I have grabbed his stuff to cinch the flow of pee until I can get him on the toilet. Sorry, people, it works...so I'm sharing. That little trick has saved me scrubbing many a floor and rug and extra laundry.
Elevated toilet seats or, if in the budget, an elevated toilet is a tremendous help. My DH began to use a walker after the second fall and it has helped.
My Dh has fallen several times, the last time broke his knee cap! Not fun, but then I don't hear about it most of the time. He is way to "with it" to help at all, rejects about anything I do.
DH never seems to hurt himself when he falls. He just goes down - never hits his head, but I can't imagine him not being sore at least! but he never complains of hurting. He fell late yesterday afternoon. Couldn't get him up; called neighbor who is LPN and with a gait belt we managed to get him up. Never remembers it - even with the broken glass he had in his hand and dropped - glass and iced tea everywhere! I had fun later.