Do think my mil's clumsiness is anything to worry about

[pud1]

my mil is 64 and has always been clumsy but she has had a lot more accident of late. In the last few months she has slipped on the kitchen floor and hit her back on the open dishwasher door and Fell off her bed and hurt her hip. Then this week she tripped up whilst walking down the street and grazed her face and hurt her arm, the day after her arm was hurting so when she was opening her loft hatch she did it with her left hand, when she pull the ladders down they slipped and hit her on the eye. She has got a very black eye. As I said she has always been clumsy but it does look like it's getting worse. She has dementia in the family but shows no other signs.

Does anyone know if it can be a symptom of any other illnesses

Bumping

inner ear problems? Sorry, no expert but bumping.

Definitely worth getting her to the GP. Is she complaining of feeling dizzy or unsteady? Two things spring to mind - postural hypotension - blood pressure dropping as she stands, or proprioception difficulties. With the latter it can make people feel unsteady when they look up or down or round. I'm not medically qualified but do work in a falls clinic hence a bit of knowledge I'd ask the GP to refer her to a falls clinic. They can assess to see if there's a medical reason for all this and can assess for memory problems if there's any concerns. Hth.

Could it be something as simple as needing glasses? Get her to have a test at an optician to be sure.

Another vote for eye test .

Thanks for the replies. I bumped then fell asleep. She does wear reading glasses and has had new recently so I am guessing she has had an eye test. I think I will talk to her about seeing a gp.

Arthritis can make you slip or trip if it is in your knees because you tend not to life your feet properly. If you have it in your hands you may tend to use the hand that is is not so stiff or hurting as much even if it not the hand you would normally use. Plus it can make you drop things.

Does she have any other symptoms? eg muscle weakness, loss of sensation, pain anywhere?

I would agree, go to see the GP