Balance and falling
 

What are you supposed to do when you lose your balance a lot and fall. I use a cane but that doesn't help the balance. I am so aggravated at this, i was dx 21 years ago and I think it's progressing. Or maybe it's my age. Haven't had an attack in 12 years. Been on LDN.

It sounds like it's time for some sort of walker. A rollator would probably help. I never had much luck with a cane.

This is what I use: Amazon.com: Drive Medical Four Wheel Rollator with Fold Up Removable Back Support, Red: Health & Personal Care

I have a rollator similar to yours but when I go with friends in their small cars I can't get it in there so do I just don't go anymore. I guess I am mad at myself, I haven't driven in 20 years and have to depend on others. My DH has a car we can get it in, but I like to be with my friends, and tonight we are going to my grandsons football game I can't use a walker for that. I want to be up in the stands with the rest of the family. Am i crazy or what.

Do your friends drive clown cars (tiny) or something? I went from Canadian crutches to rollator (it folded and fit) to my current power chair. These things are just tools, don't get hung up on thinking they define you.

Would some of the family members come sit with you in the lower or accessible section at the game?

Some rollators are smaller than others..due to the different designs, it's hard to find all the measurements to compare.
We had to find a smaller/narrow one for my dad to get around in the house better..
My aunt has a 3 wheeled one for her narrow hallways.

Balance can be a very tricky thing when lost, I agree with a walker of some sort to help with the day to day, and they do make several different shapes and sizes and even ones that fold up neatly to go in most cars. But as far as the game goes, since they’re family anyways I’d say grab and arm or two ;). Was mostly stuck in a wheelchair for my cousin’s wedding, but when it came time for photos my other cousin helped me up the steps and held on so there wouldn’t be any sad rememberence of her special day with her crippled cousin. Instead her brother and I just looked really close :D. Which we are so it all worked out.

Don’t be afraid to rely on family or even friends, my cousin was more than happy to help me out and quite glad I did rely on him. I’ve noticed that they really do want to help out, but don’t always know what to do or even if it’s okay to ask if you need any help. But once you ask if they can help with a specific task they tend to be shockingly thrilled and quite eager.

My walker is probably the standard size but it's difficult to take some places especially when you're not sure of the layout or if there are stairs.

I have lost most of my balance and have to rely on my walker or my wheelchair if it's a questionable area or there's terrain that's not flat.

I have a very difficult time relying on another person to help me walk or stand . It's just not a steady source of something to hang on to and actually makes me even more unsteady. I hate to refuse the help of anybody but even someone holding my arm or hand just throws my balance off so bad I have to ask that they not touch me when I'm walking or standing. And I hate doing that but I have to....or fall! I'm always gracious about it and thank them for their efforts. I wish it could be different.

I was looking for a new walker and found that there are SO many different kinds available now. I must have spent an hour just looking at all the different kinds. And still didn't buy one! :rolleyes: Too many choices is not a good thing for me. ;)

I found one on Amazon that I thought would be a narrower size overall, and the legs having a bend at wheels instead of straight- so they are less trip factor & less running over toes of helpers..
But after it arrived only the handle section was narrow, the wheel base was as wide as what we had already, but luckily Amazon allows free returns, most of the time.
I did include a note on the return reason that the measurements on the description were misleading..it was not smaller than what we had..

I happened to stop in at a resale store and they had a perfect sized one in very nice condition ..so I grabbed it for dad.. I'll try to get the brand / style /numbers off it next time I go..

Ah! Okay when taking someone’s arm, they aren’t supposed to take your arm and hold it. Sorry forgot that quite a few people don’t know that. As the one in need of assistance, the person helping you should merely hold their arm at a 90 degree angle and keep pace you, stepping with the same foot as you each step to maintain balance. Basically 1800-1950’s promenade. You hold on to their arm, they don’t hold you at all. Same with helping someone up from the ground, you don’t pull them up, you’re supposed to stand still, well balanced and braced for the weight of the one you’re helping. They use your leverage to pull themselves up. The only time that’s different is if they are unable to stand at all, in which case you stand behind the person, putting hands under their arms and linking them in front and lift them by their shoulders not their ribs or stomach.

But I guess with the fall out of antiquated manners, the proper way to offer an arm as assistance is a dying art and too many folks believe it’s their job to hold the person up not to be a brace for them to hold themselves up upon. But I have found if you explain how to do it properly, people really do get it and understand. Lucked out with my cousin at the wedding since he went to private school same as me and we were taught “proper” conduct.