Elderly mother kees tripping.

[janelecarre]

My mother is in her early 80s, in good physical and mental condition and leads a totally independent life. Unfortunately she has a tendency to trip and fall when out walking, particularly on uneven pavements. These falls are becoming more regular and potentially more serious as she gets older. So far, no broken bones, but she has needed stitches in her face before. I think it is highly likely, if not inevitable, that one day fairly soon she is going to have a more serious fall and break a bone.

She believes the problem is that she doesn't (and has never) picked up her feet enough when walking. She wears flat shoes. She is a long way off needing a stick or a walking frame.

Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks

If she doesn't want a stack or walking frame which would help with her balance, what about a shopping trolley you can push in front of you?

Does she wear specs? it could be something as simple as changing her glasses - one of the difficulties with varifocal lenses is that they can affect depth perception, so she has difficulty assessing how high to lift her feet ifswim?
Alternatively if you look on your local council website under health, a lot of places have falls prevention teams who can offer advice and interventions to help keep your mum mobile and upright.

Also make sure that her shoes are fitting correctly. My grandfathers shoes weren't as good fit as they used to be and when we sorted them out he tripped a whole lot less.

Thanks pudcat. Other than the tripping, she's really in very good physical shape - you wouldn't know she was 80 if you watched her walk 99% of the time . She's also fiercely proud and rather elegant. I think she'd strangle me if I suggested a trolley, although I might have to.

Thanks eyestightshut and wonkylegs. Some good ideas. Her last fall happened on a not very good bit of pavement, in poor light. I don't think the shoes were a factor, but I suspect the light was. But she's not ready to stop walking in the dark.

PS she wears contacts - but I'm not sure if they are varifocal - I'll check.

I sympathise - my mum took a tumble over a manhole cover back on Friday (in the dark) and dislocated her shoulder. Luckily she's the 'robust' variety of older lady and not the frail kind, but it's a worry.

A stick really would help - my DH has a disability but has fallen far less often since trying using a stick.

If your mum dislikes the idea (it sounds like she doesn't think of herself as old yet, which is great) would she consider something like a hiking pole? It gives more of an 'energetic lady striding out independently' vibe rather than 'frail and elderly', but gives an extra point of contact with the ground, making it easier to recover from a minor slip.

Thanks AMumInScotland - hope your mum gets better quickly.