By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or
[email protected] to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our
Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our
Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
I'm wondering if your doctor could find a reason to approve some physical therapy, for balance, and then after join a gym. I think it would help you with strength, and then confidence.
Nothing at all wrong with a cane , I think that is a good idea to have with you most of the time, and give you some confidence, as long as it's not used as a crutch.
You may very well need it.
I think you're putting undue pressure on yourself for wanting to be careful so you won't fall. To me that's called being smart and not a coward.
If you feel safer using your rollator and walking stick when out and about then so be it.
Quit beating yourself up over something that may very well be keeping you safer than you'll ever know.
I mean would you rather use your walking stick and rollator and be safe, or risk falling and breaking multiple bones and need surgery and risk not ever being the same again?
Just some food for thought.
There are programs offered by hospitals, some senior centers that focus on strength and balance and how to avoid falls.
Now do understand one thing...falls happen no way you are going to prevent every fall but hopefully you can improve balance and strength so that you will be less hurt by a fall.
You could also try sessions in Yoga that is supposed to help with balance and strength (more core strength that helps the body rather than physical strength)
All that said if you have a genuine fear of falling until you feel more comfortable continue to use the rollator. Fancy it up, there are decals, there is painted ones I have seen. But please also have an evaluation by PT to make sure that you are using it properly, it is adjusted to your height. I see so many people walking hunched over looking at the floor. I think the best walkers I have seen are the "upright" ones that actually allow you to walk in an upright position, looking forward.
There is noting to be ashamed about using a walker. I bet you feel better using a walker than using a wheelchair!
Once we know more information, it will help us gauge our suggestions :)
Please stop calling yourself a coward and instead realize you're wise to take precautions to avoid getting a broken hip or neck at 74 yrs old. Its ok to admit we need help.
I am assuming when you say "I have been to therapy" you do not mean mental therapy of a psychologist? It might be worth considering if ALL OTHER reasons for your dependence are FULLY explored.
As we age we lose balance from those portions of our brain that control balance. I always say that at 82 I weigh (at about 145) more than ever I have in my life; yet on the buses now, if I don't hang on, I float about like a feather in the winds. And yeah, it's SCARY because we full well know IF we go down it can be broken hips, can be lifechanging.
Many who start to use a walker or sticks for a while become "dependent " on them. You aren't alone and you aren't unusual. And as someone myself aging I can assure you "terror-R-us".
I would ask for another physical therapy consult, concentrate on balance exercises and do them religiously; they DO help. Be easy on yourself. And meanwhile learn to love that rollator and those sticks as you try to work your way out of them.
Good luck.
I could be wrong, but I think you won't see me or Ham in a helmet soon. Tho you may see us down on the ground wishing we had heeded your advice.
She looks so dignified, and strong .
Almost makes me want a cane.
I am trying to think how you can walk outside and be distracted, but not so distracted that you can still pay attention to what is around you. Can hubby go for a walk with you, if he walks the same speed as you do? Can you listen to music as a distraction? Is there a shopping center/mall nearby where you can walk? Window shopping is a good distraction.
Even though you're done with therapy, you can and should keep working on your strength. To get stronger, you need to slowly but surely do more and more to improve your strength. Being stronger and more stable should give you an opportunity to get back to walking on your own again, if it is possible. I agree with someone else's suggestion to join a gym. Planet Fitness is cheap and open great hours and most if not all have classes to show you how to use the equipment and help you put together a training program.
Good luck! While you work on getting stronger, there is NOTHING wrong with using a walker or cane. Do what you need to do to feel confident.
About 2 weeks prior to fall, I was diagnosed as having sciatica caused by Piriformis syndrome ( Piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve and results in inflammation) I have pain from left buttock all the way down to ankle. My left leg also felt weak so doctor recommended using cane which I did until ….. 10 days, later was walking thru parking lot to Post office, when I stepped up on the curb with left leg and my leg gave out. I fell backwards hitting the back of my head on pavement and yes, I Forgot My Cane! I was taken by ambulance to trauma center. I never lost consciousness, no fractures, just a few abrasions, including one on my head. So like you, I’m afraid of falling again. I’m keeping my cane close at hand from now on and added reminders on my phone.
Stay safe!