Thismorning I lost my balance while opening the door for my early morning care call. Luckily I only hit the wall and not the floor, broken glasses and a bruise.
Haveing to be ultra carefull now as my balace seems to be worse.
On a brighter note I had a letter agreeing to 'Attendance Allowance'........
The journey continues.
Patrick.
Rats! That's not a good thing.... Do you work with a neuro physiotherapist at all, Patrick? I was always cheered by their unending optimism: They knew better than most that degeneration is inevitable, yet they fully believe in the brain's capacity to build and generate at the same time! A two-way street: Brain is degenerating - and Generating - at the same time! We worked on balance, coordination, strength etc. It was a push to get G to do the exercises at home, but he loved his physiotherapist and would do anything she wanted him to 
Yes, he has passed, but he had reasonable mobility until the end 
Hugs to you XXXX Anne G.
I am very glad you were not hurt. Hugs, Patty
Hi Patrick
I echo Anne G exercise is really important for your cure stability ( and to get up if you fall) If you have not seen a physio recently ask GP to refer you
Has an Occupational Therapist been to your home recently??
We have grab rails near doorways which are really helpful - it is so easy to overbalance whilst opening a door or going through it !!
Another thought is a key safe - I hated the idea initially actually it is really useful for the whole Family. The carers can then
let themselves in - they always call out as they come through the door so should never take you by surprise.
There are Lots of things that can help the situation- we never know about them until we need them but your OT and physio can be a huge help
Love Tippy
Last time I enquired about a neuro physiotherapist I got " we only have physiotherapists" I will try again !
I am going to call the entryphone company and ask about WI-FI options.
Maybe your local physiotherapists could be inspired to try to begin to practice a new specialty by looking for neuro-specific exercises for you..??? All of them had to start somewhere, right? They didn't come out of high school knowing neuro physio!!
Anyway, I know you get exercise and know the value of it: You and my hubby are/were the same age and more or less in to CBD about the same amount of time - yet you are doing much better, my friend, and long may that last!
xx Anne G.
Oh Patrick bless you you are amazing, please take care of yourself, maybe you need a key safe? You are in inspiration to everyone xxxx
Yes............. to the key safe.
Awwww Pat!! Bloody hell, you never ever moan, you just seem to soldier on, totally inspirational however let this be a warning my darling! Do you have a walking frame? Keep strong, we all love you x
Patrick do as everyone else has told you. Make sure you have everything you need in place. Also tell the hospital you need to see a neuro theraphist. In fact get in touch with the PSPA and ask where the nearest one to you is?
Hugs to you Patrick.
Marie x
Hi Patrick, thankful you didn't hurt yoirself badly and end up in A&E. W is falling more frequently now so today OT advised wheelchair for his safety and we spent most of this afternoon at our wheelchair assessment centre.
By the way congratulations on getting Attendance Allowance.
Take care, nanny857xxx
Very sorry to hear this, Pat!
Agree with all the suggestions!
And wonder - which way does your door open? Left hand hinge or right hand side hinge? Can see you having difficulty opening the left hand side hinge door with your right hand, holding your stick and trying to balance, all at the same time! Is that how it happened?
A grab rail could certainly help to steady yourself, before opening the door.
Know you will give it some studied thought and come up with an ingenious idea!
Meanwhile, strength to you with the long list of phone calls!
And congratulations on getting the Attendance Allowance!
And at continuing to be so darned independent!!!
Hugs
Jen XXX
What an interesting analysis, Jen...that makes so much sense! (what side door opens..) A.G.
It's good the Allowance came through! I have to agree with Jen, look at some type of solid handhold next to the door knob on the door frame. I am thinking the handhold would be something to easily grab after opening the door to steady yourself before transitioning back to the cane. If the person on the outside has to wait a moment before entering, so be it
Ron
This balance thing is a real pain. I hope you heal quickly. I do worry about my FIL and his balance but I can't wrap him in cotton wool and neither would he want me to. You keep on keeping on stay strong. Xx
Hi Bargiepat, these darned illnesses always have a trick or two up their sleeve. My husband was not able to cope with hospital physio due to his poor cognition but we were put under the care of our local community neuro team and had a fantastic neuro physio come out to see him. Speak with your neurologist or GP asap and get the right support in place. I wish you well. HilsandR
So sorry to hear this Patrick. My balance got worse in May,my physio gave me exercises to do but is so hard to motivate at times. I have a rollator with four wheels and it really helps me get around, when my legs aren’t like jelly! Probably no good if you can’t use your left hand- mine is weak but still controllable.My mother in law had a key safe and it was very good for the family and carers while she was bed bound. She still has it so if any problems we can get in. Do you have an alarm? I keep getting advised to get one as they hang round your neck so if you fall you can summon help if you can’t get up.
Best wishes to you from fellow sufferer. Jx
Ruth saw a neuro-physiotherapist but whilst it was helpful it was not really any different from regular physio from what I could see. The exercises she was given she was already doing with her yoga. To which end.... see if you can do some Iyengar yoga (or any type I am just biased). Do it against a bed / sofa so you do not need to balance. It will help with balance and make you more flexible and less likely to injure yourself when you fall. There are probably courses on youtube. You need to do it every couple of days to be effective - little and often.
Richard
My balance problems might be related to a worsening head cold....?
oh yeah, a head cold can do it! I hope that's all it is and you get over it soon!, but just by the way, I've mentioned this before, but the LSVT Big exercises, which are designed for Parkinson's patients, really helped my guy's balance and energy level. The appointments were fun and we enjoyed doing the exercises together at home. For a time he regained his ability to walk unaided; it was the only significant reversal of the progress of his symptoms we ever experienced.
Hang in there, Pat. We are all rooting for you!
Peace, Sarah
Hi Pat, install handles and grip to it before opening the door...!. My sister has also a handle near the fridge (it helps when she open the door). The walking stick , could be itself a problem if you have balance problems. Perhaps a walker with 3/4 wheels and adapted to be driven with your right hand, coold be a better tool.
I find the stick usefull when standing still and when waking inside I hold it out in front at 45 degrees above the floor and it gives me extra stability.
No room in my flat for any motorized walker I am sorry to say.
So pleased you got your attendance allowance granted Patrick, did you get the mobility part of it? (Ben had PIP payment but I think that's when you are still working age, is that what yours is?) also pleased you didn't hurt yourself too seriously. It's a wretched disease so please take care when doing even the simplest task.
Love Kate xxx
Pleased u have got attendance allowance , about time. Hope you got the higher rate.just take care when moving about you are doing so well. Pauline x
Oh my goodness Patrick. I hope your ok. I remember this happening to mum when she first moved in with me it got to the point where she couldn't open it at all and because I was at work she was on her own. I had extra keys cut for regular visitors and then once carers were needed we had a key safe fitted. I was reluctant to have one fitted as I thought it would be a security risk but it's been great. Mum also has a pendant which is connected to a monitor very handy the day she fell backwards into the bath and couldn't get out. If you don't have one please consider getting one . I hope your cold is a bit better today. I have been catching up today with all posts and I see that you are going on holiday soon you need to be well for that. Please take care
Love and hugs Lynda x🍄
Hang in their take one day at a time . please be carefull and go to a PT FOR BALANCE
Loss of Hope
Where's hope?
Losing Hope
Holding on to Hope
