He has short term memory loss and incontinence. He has fallen hurrying to the bathroom and fell in his bedroom and fractured 3 vertebrae. For a person who showered every day he doesn't like to shower very often. We have been married 57 years and he still is the love of my life but I don't know how to get him to use a cane or the walker or shower more often. Please give me suggestions. THANK YOU for this column and everyone's wonderful help.
Has your husband been to rehab, to teach him to use the cane and walker, or has he had rehab to improve his walking? I think a stay in rehab, would do you both good.
Do you know why he won't use the walker? He forgets ... he thinks it isn't dignified ... he is in denial that he needs it ... he isn't confident it helps ... what? Knowing why might give you some clues for dealing with it.
My husband fell with or without the walker, so he wasn't too eager to use it. He liked using his wheelchair much better -- he knew he wasn't going to fall, and he got pretty good at navigating around the house.
The fact is, the walker is intended to decrease falling, but 47,000 older people are treated each year in U.S. emergency rooms for falls associated with walkers and canes. Try asking the doctor to authorize in-home physical or occupational therapy to be sure that your husband learns to use his walker or cane correctly.
(My mother's walker has a white wicker bicycle basket attached in the front, with a design that lights up as she moves. She gets a kick out of it, and can carry a few things around with her. It also has a beverage holder.)
Good luck!
irisaz, if your husband refuses to use a cane or walker, talk to your doctor about having someone come by to install safety rails. Often they will be covered if the doctor prescribes them. If not, they are rather inexpensive. You can have the rail installer come by and do a safety inspection to see where rails would be helpful. They are particularly helpful in the bathroom and in hallways. Unfortunately, they aren't any help on open floors.
Does your husband have a rollator or a simple walker? If he has a simple walker, maybe he would like a sporty pushmobile better.