PD shuffle and falling problems- any tips??
 

I know there was a thread mentioning this quite awhile ago..

My dad has fallen a few times recently, last one ER trip & CT scan, all OK inside the head..
Somehow he keeps hitting the same side of his head too...


Is there any suggestions I gave give to him for when his feet/legs don't cooperate when his body is moving?

Try to get him (or someone else) to remind himself to stop / stand up straight and take big steps. Marching helps. Our bodies are not on automatic pilot anymore , can't double task, and we must concentrate on the task at hand right now. Takes focus and determination sometimes and lots of reminders (signs...if necessary )

Exercise. We have found some participants in regular exercise show increased balance and improvement in gait. With the addition of music through dance instruction, it has also decreased the frequency of 'freezing'. This was simply through a weekly one hour exercise session.

John

shuffling and falling.
 

Here are a few things I have found that work for me.

1. Try to take big steps.
2.. If I can I slide my feet on the floor like a skier.
3. use some sort of chant as I walk... 1,2,3,4 put my heel on the floor.
4. sit on my butt and use a power chair, hover round or whatever.
5. ASK someone else to help me. Lots of times we don't ask for help. Others are there, they just need to know what you need.

Jo*mar, there is a connection for some pep, between the learning (dance instruction/steps) and coordinating with the beat of the music. The cognitive function of putting the two together is complex cognitive and physical exercise (even for me! and as far as I know, I am healthy!). More research in this area is needed.

Get him a walker. That may help. If he's falling, tell the doctor. They may be able to send a therapist to help with walking to the house, and send a walker, all covered under Medicare. Don't be shy!

Before I went on sinemet I use to count 123 to move.It worked then and now when the drug is wearing off.Most falls accure when turning with pd or when leaning forward to much. I have stooped posture some especialy in wear off.That is when I might fall.
I now take pill about a hour before any protein and much better.
I still wake up every morning at three .plan on alarm at 2 and take pill then.

On or Off
 

Despite playing footsie with this damn disorder/disease for fifteen years, I am not certain that I know what On and Off are, other than the misery of drugs not working and the brief joy when they do. And it is one big pain i n the ***.

I have found that one thing that helps is a simple tool formed from cutting a piece of plywood down to approx half-size (depends on the users body size). Walking this little fella" around the house is great and quickly mastered without the claustrophobia that comes with it.

It really helps when I get up at night to use a laser pointer. I just put the red dot on the floor in front of me, and it leads me through doors and around corners, my biggest barriers.