Mil's diagnosis has been changed from mixed AZ & VaD to LBD and Parkinsons. For about 12 months (maybe more) before the diagnosis change, she had been developing 'Parkinsonisms' - shaking limbs (esp right hand/arm) and 'Parkinsons gait'. Very suddenly, over the last 2 weeks or so, her walking - which was deteriorating anyway - has got very, very much worse. Its what I've been told is 'typical' of parkinsons - slightly up on her toes, tending to 'tilt' her body forward, sometimes difficulty in getting moving, and quite fast tiny shuffling steps, looking like she is about to topple at any minute Remind her to take 'big steps, slow steps' and she will correct herself, slow down and pick up her feet - but only for a few minutes then its back to the shuffle. Oddly, using two banister rails, she still seems to be managing stairs with no problems - though we have already looked into stair lifts for her.
In the last week she has managed to gash her leg quite badly (we didn't see how and she has been unable to tell us, but I think a fall or stumble is the most likely reason) and then again on Monday, I actually saw her fall and go crashing into the TV unit - thankfully, just one small skin tear and bruising, but still . . .
So, we are thinking that its time to get her some sort of walking aid, a frame of some sort. Unfortunately, the whole process of requesting an assessment and getting any sort of advice/frame will take weeks and weeks - and we think that if we wait that long there is a good chance that she will end up with a serious injury from a fall. The staff at her day care centre are going to try her out with different frames over the next few days and we intend to buy her one next week, but I wondered if anyone can point us in the direction of what sort of frame is best for someone with Parkinsons? I have no idea if a wheeled model or one she has to lift with every step is better. Or if there is a particular type/style that is better for people who have Parkinsons? Or if there is a particular type we should avoid?
Any advice/info would be really appareciated - thank you, in advance xxxx
In the last week she has managed to gash her leg quite badly (we didn't see how and she has been unable to tell us, but I think a fall or stumble is the most likely reason) and then again on Monday, I actually saw her fall and go crashing into the TV unit - thankfully, just one small skin tear and bruising, but still . . .
So, we are thinking that its time to get her some sort of walking aid, a frame of some sort. Unfortunately, the whole process of requesting an assessment and getting any sort of advice/frame will take weeks and weeks - and we think that if we wait that long there is a good chance that she will end up with a serious injury from a fall. The staff at her day care centre are going to try her out with different frames over the next few days and we intend to buy her one next week, but I wondered if anyone can point us in the direction of what sort of frame is best for someone with Parkinsons? I have no idea if a wheeled model or one she has to lift with every step is better. Or if there is a particular type/style that is better for people who have Parkinsons? Or if there is a particular type we should avoid?
Any advice/info would be really appareciated - thank you, in advance xxxx