Walking works

[wightdancer]

Wandering is a normal activity for Alzheimers/Dementia sufferers, so basically they cannot be left alone.
The moving about is actually a great help in stimulating the blood through the brain so if they are mobile, accompanied walks as often as possible are to be recommended. My wife was diagnosed in 2013 and has been in an advanced stage for several years but she walks 4-5 hours per day and although she cannot communicate except by smiling she is happy smelling flowers and enjoying life as much as is possible. KEEP WALKING.

 

[Grannie G]

It`s good advice @wightdancer if someone is always available to accompany the person with dementia on their walks.

Many carers do not have the physical fitness to walk so many hours in the day

My husband initially didn`t want me to walk with him because I wasn`t quick enough. Later as he slowed down, he held on to me and this resulted in severe back pain for me after taking his weight on one side for a few months.

Well done for keeping your wife fit. I`m glad it has been possible.

 

[wightdancer]

Thank you Sylvia.
Up until 2018 I gave my wife prescribed medication that generally made her calm and restful which was good except that she would spend a lot of the day sitting sleeping or staring into space. She has been unable to communicate since 2019 and has to be fed, washed, dressed and of course is incontinent. With the support of our doctor I 'tuned' her medication, ie tried different doses at different times to get the best result..............and for the past 6 months with an arm for support she is mobile and smiles lots when she goes for a walk and does not sleep during the day except for the odd short nap. I have seen many advanced Alzheimer's sufferers in a far better mental shape than my wife but none so happy.

 

[Agzy]

My partner, Pauline is almost addicted to ‘her’ walk which she/we complete up to three time a day. It is only just over half a mile and is a circuit around the block so when she goes on her own there is not much to get confused about and in any case lots of people who don’t know her by name know her by sight as she trundles around and would help I just know. A new lease of life for sure @wightdancer .

 

[wightdancer]

My partner, Pauline is almost addicted to ‘her’ walk which she/we complete up to three time a day. It is only just over half a mile and is a circuit around the block so when she goes on her own there is not much to get confused about and in any case lots of people who don’t know her by name know her by sight as she trundles around and would help I just know. A new lease of life for sure @wightdancer .

it's great that your partner still has the wherewithal to go for walks alone. It has been many years since my wife could do that. She used to walk the dog alone and I felt comforted that the dog knew his way home if she ever got confused. Unfortunately she became incapable of picking up the dog doings on the walks so needed escorting.
Walking and not sitting all day is definitely a benefit to the health of our loved ones.

 

[RosettaT]

My OH and I used to walk 3 times a day, up 2 miles each time, we both enjoyed it and it did my OH wonders, calmed him, tired him, made him more content so I could get with other things in between times. However it came to an abrupt stop when he was admitted to hospital and lost his mobility.
Makes me sad he can no longer do what we both enjoyed.

 

[maryjoan]

My OH loved his walks, but after 13 weeks in hospital, he still tries to go for walks but keeps stumbling and falling and needs a wheelchair. It has become impossible for the nursing home as they haven't got the staff to go with him

 

[Agzy]

My OH loved his walks, but after 13 weeks in hospital, he still tries to go for walks but keeps stumbling and falling and needs a wheelchair. It has become impossible for the nursing home as they haven't got the staff to go with him

So sorry to hear this @maryjoan as walking is such good therapy. I remember Pauline going through the falling and stumbles and having to haul back onto her feet at the risk of damaging my back. I did buy a ‘push along’ wheelchair but she hated it and so it was donated to someone who will use it. From those experiences I can well understand a Care Home not having the staff or means to do it which in the long term is detrimental to your loved one.

 

[wightdancer]

Rosetta T, Maryjoan and Agzy you are stars, you did the best you could as long as you could; that is set in stone and the memories of your happy walks will stay with you and hopefully give you deserved comfort.
Sadly, Care Homes cannot possibly offer the one to one dedication that a spouse demands of themselves in taking care of a loved one, but perhaps and hopefully by the time the love of your life needs that specialist care, they have calmly and happily accepted the changes to their routines without it upsetting them anything like it was bound to upset you.