Senior keeps on touching furniture, cars, open doors etc out of habit as much as need. You frequently see him reach for an object after he has stood up or completed a step. Keeps on saying "he's trying" and/or leave him alone/shut up. Doctors, therapists and nurses have told him he shouldn't be using furniture etc for balance and that he was capable of strength training of which he completed a few sessions over a one year period. He also over uses his cane at times almost pushing himself with it when he walks. It is hard at times to get consistency out of him when it comes to physical therapy exercising or strength training. Same for nutrition including taking recommended vitamins. Long story short he recently "touched" one of those 2 foot long metal pans at a catered event in which he could've flipped a pan of hot food over. He says he just 'touched' it and gets hyper defensive when we point things like that out. He's touched alot of cars in parking lots lately saying he doesn't care if he trips an alarm. This while using a cane. How can I get this 'toucher' to stop using/touching things he simply does not have to? Is there a confidence problem or is he hiding an injury?
But really, I don’t think your dad realizes how much strength he gained in PT! He’s still worried he’ll fall and damage himself when the reality is he’s surefooted and his balance is good? Give him time to adjust and don’t nag him. That he says shut up shows a good memory there! LOL
I need some PT myself soon. I had it about four years ago and once your confidence returns you feel so sure footed and STABLE. Give dad time. It’s a psychological thing.
Oh! Have his inner ears looked at by his doctor. My dad gets monumental earwax in his ears which in turn causes bouts of vertigo. He’s expressed anxiety about being out in the car or walking in a store and getting an attack of vertigo. Checking the ear canal seems to keep the vertigo in check.
As I understand it, the big toes & the middle ear are the main balance features of the human body so have them looked at first
I would give him credit for sensing that he needs support along the way, and I wouldn't push him as he's going to take his balance issues at his own pace. What I would do is ask him about the things he holds onto, if he needs something at another place along the way, i.e., work WITH him to help him through this stage until he's ready to try a higher level of support.
And, like others, I often do the same thing, especially as it seems that the rooms grow smaller as I age and I have to zig zag more often to get through the house.
The harder part is outdoor work, things like opening the garage door since I'm losing height and have to stand on my tip toes.
To touch something stable (even though it would not hold one up) was helpful for balance.
I did not do that anymore, once I was better.
However, the pain has recently gotten worse, increased when getting up first thing.
I reach for the chair, the door frame, and after a few steps no longer need to do this.
I think it would be very hard, if not impossible, for another person to assess whether or not I need to do this or not or when the pain is worse.
The caregiver CAN accompany the senior, and touch his elbow or learn assistive techniques, I mean, if you are there anyway.....
I still smile when recalling how my hubs was (at my insistance) behind my elderly loved one who had started falling, but refused any help! As LO fell backwards, hubs straightened him up from under his arms, uprighted him, and let go, just as LO was shaking off the assistance. Hubs was a hero that day. One fall averted.
P.S. Hubs was instructed over and over what to do if someone was falling, and what not to do so he wouldn't get hurt himself. At that time, we made a good team.
I remember trying to use a cane when I had a back injury, I never got any real benefit out of it. If I had known about rolling walkers, I would have gotten one the next day.
As for touching things, DafnaS above may have a point, it could be OCD. But if this touching isn't a major problem disrupting his life, then ignore it. Not worth the battle.
Also, has this senior actually fallen at any point? If so, holding on to things could be a protective measure. Sounds like he needs to be using a walker instead of a cane. They provide much more stability.
The problem with this is that he's reaching out for things that aren't necessarily stable which increases his chances of falling.
Pushing himself with a cane is also not the correct way to use a cane. There's a method to using a cane such as what kind if cane does he need (there are numerous types), which side does he need to use it on, is the can appropriate to his height?
I think he could benefit from a few sessions with a physical/occupational therapist. Maybe his doctor can make a referral.