Newbie here. Q about COPD and loss of balance

[macinthekitchen]

Hi everyone. I'm writing this post on behalf of my father who's a bit too stoic to ask for help

He's 80+ and has recently been diagnosed by his GP as having COPD. It's hard to get much info out of him (see above ) but I do know he's been given an inhaler to help him with his breathing.

My question is more to do with his loss of balance. He's taking regular falls and it not happy about asking his GP for help on this subject. I've read that balance issues can come alongside other COPD symptoms so wanted to ask if anyone has experience of this and is there any recommendations you could offer about lessening his falling?

Thanks in advance

John

[Hidden]

Hi John I think the balance thing is more to do with age myself.

Perhaps if you can persuade your father to check in with his doctor and if you can be involved. At his age he should be checked out after a fall and especially if he is unable to get up on his own, you could call the paramedics ambulance service, then he would be properly assessed.

I've not heard of balance being connected with COPD directly at all and only indirectly if a person has become unconditioned so ill wilh lung infection or pneumonia and have lost their balance trying to reach the bathroom in the middle of the night etc.

You may be able to access physio services for balance training, that is something else to investigate.

[cofdrop-UK]

John I am sorry your dad is having falls. I hope you can get him to see the GP. Sounds as though he would benefit from a referral to a Falls Clinic. I have been personally and they are quite thorough. My feelings of passing out, although not actually falling are due to an already low BP dropping dramatically from sitting to standing.

Independence is a good quality but being stubborn is not. Let’s hope he will go to the docs for you if not himself, knowing how concerned you are.

Good luck.

Cx

[SORRELHIPPO]

I would recommend a referral to a Physiotherapist. In the Rehab Team I worked in, we did all our work in peoples homes, this meant we could check for dangers and type of furniture etc. Older people who had had a couple of falls, were referred to us (in some areas a Falls Clinic), this happened because it costs the NHS less to prevent falls, than deal with hip fractures, also much better for the older person. My job as an Occupational Therapist, was to check heights of chairs/beds etc, safety around the home (loose rugs etc) Visual field, just in case someone is seeing as if they were wearing blinkers. The Physio. after a full assessment, teaches all the balance exercises, not hard to do, but well worth it. The Physio could recommend and in some cases supply the correct walking aid, if needed. In all the areas I worked, the GP did the referrals for this, and once people were known to us, they could contact us themselves, if more problems in the future.

[Caspiana]

Hello John, 👋

Is he light headed? That sometimes happens with breathing issues. But to be honest at his age, I think falling becomes quite common. My mother is 76. She has had two tumbles in recent months. She does not have any health issues at all. Just a lack of coordination that comes with age. You may have to be more hands on with attending his doctor's appointments with him or else you will be kept in the dark as he seems not to want any fuss.

Have a lovely week.

Cas xx 🙋

[Ergendl]

Check out You Tube for videos about strengthening muscles to lessen risk of falls. That might be something you could do with your Dad to help, even if he doesn't want to involve the GP.

[MoyB]

I am 69. I have COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis. I also have Menieres Disease with a history of vertigo. Back in December I had an instance of suddenly falling backwards for no obvious reason. This repeated in early March in a supermarket and so I made a GP appointment the next day. The GP made a referral to the Department of Elderly Care at a nearby hospital. The appointment came quickly and I should have been seen just 2 weeks later. Then came the lockdown and I got a text telling me I must not leave my home for any reason, although I could open a window for fresh air! My appointment was due two days later so, naturally, I phoned the consultant's secretary, explained the situation and said I wouldn't be attending.

Since then, I have had two telephone consultations regarding this problem and during each one, on hearing that I have had several further instances of falling backwards, I have been quite forcefully told I must NOT go out alone, use sharp knives or put myself otherwise at risk. I was told that falls are taken seriously and should always be investigated as there can be many different reasons for them. At best they can be stopped by appropriate treatment. In other cases they need to be managed.

I have had blood tests, a neck x-ray and am awaiting a cardiac test (delayed due to COVID). I have been told that if none of these shows a possible cause, I will be referred to a neurologist.

Now, it may be that they have been quick and thorough because they haven't been as busy due to the virus, but I sincerely believe they are taking this all seriously, and I think your father should too. It may be that, as some have already said, he may benefit from a referral to a falls clinic, a physiotherapist or some other service. However, now that I know there can be so many reasons why people fall, I would urge anyone who has more than a couple of falls to seek medical advice.

I do hope you can persuade him to contact his GP.

Meanwhile, the kitchen might be a hazardous place for him. I am fortunate to have my husband living with me who is fit and well and he helps me. Therefore I do not climb step ladders to get things from the high shelves, I do not get things out of the oven if they contain liquid or fat, I do not lift pans off the stove if they contain boiling water (eg, to get potatoes out, I take a plate to the cooker and use a slotted spoon to get them out one at a time - same with other veg), I use small amounts of water in the kettle and take the cups to the kettle. It may be worth chatting with your Dad to see if there are any small changes he can make to keep himself a bit safer. Obviously, loose rugs are a hazard and, if he has stairs, make sure the hand rail is well fixed. The bathroom is a place where accidents can happen and grab rails can help, along with non slip flooring.

I know that falls can be common in older people but they shouldn't just be accepted as inevitable. I'm sure you'll keep trying to get him to seek help. If he still won't do it, perhaps a word with his GP from you may be worth a try. They are unlikely to discuss his case with you but may be able to add to his notes that your concern has been raised and, maybe follow up with him at a future appointment.

All the best, xx Moy

[macinthekitchen]

Hi everyone. Wanted to drop in to say thanks for the advice. The good news is that my dad is acutally accepting that he needs some help and he's actually called his GP (although they won't see him at the moment as he's high risk and it's not classed as an emergency) . He's lucky that he still has my mum with him, but it seems like theres a good chance that with some help he can lessen his falls and make life for my mum a little easier and, fingers crossed, prevent something serious.

Thanks everyone!

[Ern007]

Just seen this, maybe his balance problems have nothing to do with COPD - he is over 80 and falls are not than unusual. Is he ill with his heart for example, or has prostate problems? I know only to well - Tamsulosin for prostate and say Nicorandal, or nitrate drugs can cause people to be light light headed

If his COPD is causing low oxygen levels, again that could cause stumbles, has he had his O2 stat's checked by his GP.

The fact he is over 80 not helped by COPD could well be the answer. if he lives alone, maybe sleeping downstairs is a good idea, I fell headlong down the stairs, I ended up living on one level in a bungalow and I am 75, not in my 80s.