Walking and Traffic when living with Dementia

[Barry]

I’ve just been trying to make another video recording about “walking and the traffic” but there is so much noise in the house that I just can’t get it right so I will have to try again another day.

What made me want to do the video is that whilst Sumi and I were out for our early morning walk Sumi said that I was becoming extremely anxious, jittery, frightened and losing my balance and especially as any oncoming traffic approached us.

She said that every time a car or motorcycle approached us my walking would start faltering from side to side as if not knowing which way to move and then I would suddenly just freeze on the spot as if waiting for the vehicle to hit me, I said to Sumi (I know) that’s exactly what I am thinking as now I can’t judge the speed of any vehicle so to my mind and my deteriorating reflex action they are all going excessively fast and about to hit me so I get extremely thrown off balance as to which way I should be moving to get out of the way, so I’m starting to get the feeling that not only am I a danger to myself when walking but also to other traffic!

I have very much the same problem when trying to cross from one side of the road to the other side, quiet often after a lot of legs to and fro hesitating movements I get to the middle of the road but then with the traffic whizzing both in front and behind me I just freeze on the spot so much so that in the end Sumi is having to almost pull me across the road.

So if as a person who has any type of dementia you go out alone then take care when walking as our judgment can become extremely impaired…

Barry ©

 

[jan.s]

I'm sorry to read about your "road" problems. Whilst I don't have dementia, I can understand how scary it must be.

I know my husband was scared of many things involving the road. When I was driving, he always thought that the cars coming the opposite way were going to hit us. That must be terrifying.

 

[Barry]

Thank you for the reply (jan s) and yes I also know that problem as I've not driven for the past ten and a half years "BUT" even though I am the passenger my mind, body and limbs still think that I am the driver of the car.

 

[Shedrech]

Barry, as often with your posts I see something of dad's situation in what you write - and it helps me understand his worries. I will not be so dismissive of his unease near traffic and his gasps when I am driving - so much to learn.
He can't explain for himself so it's kind of you to take the time and make the effort to say how it is for you.

 

[Barry]

I'm please that my thread helps with the understanding