Leaving the house

Jamjar

Registered User
Sep 11, 2012
4
0
Shropshire
My wife has both Alzheimers and poor sight. Lately when we try to leave the house she becomes quite distressed at the step down which is approximately 6 inches high. we have grab handles outside the door which she uses when we re-enter but simply won't hold them going out. I've started looking at ramps but they are aimed at wheelchair users. We do have a wheelchair and I could put her in it but if anyone has any ideas as to how to overcome the step down without using a wheelchair I'd be very interested.
 

LYN T

Registered User
Aug 30, 2012
6,958
0
Brixham Devon
Hi Jamjar

Spatial awareness/poor eyesight can be a problem. Do you think your Wife would be able to walk down a ramp? If so make sure it is made from non slip material. Does she have mobility issues when walking generally or is the problem purely with steps?

Take care

Lyn T
 

jugglingmum

Registered User
Jan 5, 2014
7,085
0
Chester
I have a step up and down in my porch, which my mum has struggled with for some time (before diagnoses). I ensure she uses her stick as she comes in and leaves my house, not for support as on a good day she doesn't need it, but it gives her the feedback which her brain no longer can from her eyes. Her eyesight is OK but she has no perception of a change in level OR spatial awareness and so getting her to use the stick solves the 'problem'.

Using the stick also provides the same ability to recognise the kerb when out.
 

jeany123

Registered User
Mar 24, 2012
19,034
0
74
Durham
Would painting the step white or another colour help, then she can see where the step ends and the path starts,


Sent from my iPad using Talking Point
 

cragmaid

Registered User
Oct 18, 2010
7,936
0
North East England
My late Mum used to take hugely exaggerated steps to get over the doorstep. I would wince at her putting her fingers in the door jamb to support herself:eek:

Paint the doorstep a bright colour or use the black/yellow hazard tape on the edge or cover it with a non slip suface. anything to distinguish clearly might help.
 

Sue J

Registered User
Dec 9, 2009
8,032
0
I use a stick for the same reason jugglingmum describes. I have one with an anti shock sprung end which stops any jarring if I push down to hard.
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,445
0
Kent
I have problems with steps too and am eternally grateful to anyone who paints a yellow band on steps.

Is your wife able to turn round and go backwards down the steps? It does make it easier but needs a fair amount of flexible mobility which might be asking a lot. If she can go down the steps in reverse, she may then find it easier to hold on to the grab rails.
 

nitram

Registered User
Apr 6, 2011
30,075
0
Bury
"Would painting the step white or another colour help, then she can see where the step ends and the path starts"

In my experience, no, it would just emphasise a change with no indication of whether it was up or down, or maybe even a little fence to be stepped over. Painting just the edge would be even more confusing.
 

nitram

Registered User
Apr 6, 2011
30,075
0
Bury
"Is your wife able to turn round and go backwards down the steps?"

My son in law suffered mobility problems after a prolonged stay in ITU, he was taught to turn round and go backwards down the last step on stairs. This was because most rails do not extend below the last step and reaching forward for a hand hold gives an additional sense of security even if going backwards.
 

nitram

Registered User
Apr 6, 2011
30,075
0
Bury
Reading back there are two distinct problems, impaired vision and spatial awareness with otherwise good vision.
 

nitram

Registered User
Apr 6, 2011
30,075
0
Bury
"...colour contrast makes no difference to my mum, she still has no idea of change of level."

Colour change on the level can also be confusing.

The grey mat that supermarkets put in front of things like grapes to prevent people slipping on any spillage used to cause my wife to just stop and demand to go round the mat. To her mind something was different. Is it a hole? Is it a step up? Best walk round it.
 
Last edited:

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,445
0
Kent
I have problems with steps too and am eternally grateful to anyone who paints a yellow band on steps.

My apologies. I didn`t make myself clear.

The above was posted with regard to help for someone visually impaired.

I understand it might not help someone with dementia .
 

NanLorac

Registered User
May 14, 2012
686
0
Scotland
I have painted our steps for my husband. I got a bright yellow paint in our diy store for marking out car parking spaces. I used newspaper and tape to cover the rest of the steps and sprayed on two coats. 2015-07-13 19.11.38.jpg
 

Jamjar

Registered User
Sep 11, 2012
4
0
Shropshire
Thanks everyone for suggestions. Am looking at ramp possibilities and hadn't considered using a stick but may try that though not needed in normal circumstances.
My wife is mobile but she is quite hesitant although improves the longer the walk. Thought about painting but lines in, for example, car parks are seen as obstacles and I have to tell her each time that it is not a step so not sure that would work.
 

jugglingmum

Registered User
Jan 5, 2014
7,085
0
Chester
My mum does have issues with arthritis in her knees, although she has forgotten this now!

She is reluctant to use a stick, but I encourage it, as she tends to be a bit 'wobbly' without it. I think this is the dementia not the arthritis. She also can walk a lot faster with a stick.

Oddly she avoids ramps as she says these are harder than steps. I think this is an arthritis issue with the slope being harder to move on than the flat bit in between the steps but who knows it might be dementia - I can't remember what she did before.
 

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