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3Hotdogs

(14,224 posts)
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:10 AM May 24

I'm 82 and he's 81. We volunteer at the local swamp, fixing boardwalks and stuff. Problem is,

he has fallen off the boardwalk several times in the past months. He said yesterday, that he begins to lose balance and can't recover. It is a swamp and the water is only a few inches deep so no danger of drowning and little danger of hitting something. He also mentions some short term memory loss.

He talked about seeing a neurologist but I doubt that he went. After yesterday's fall off the boardwalk, I suggested he discuss this with his primary physician. Somehow, I don't think he will do this.

The only thing I can think of, he fears a bad diagnosis. I don't know what else to do to convince him to pursue this. He has a girlfriend that I haven't met. I don't think he has any other close relatives.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I'm 82 and he's 81. We volunteer at the local swamp, fixing boardwalks and stuff. Problem is, (Original Post) 3Hotdogs May 24 OP
Try to get him to exercise to improve balance? SheltieLover May 24 #1
It sounds like you care KarenS May 24 #2
Seniorplanet.org offers free exercise classes of all kinds daily. Tai chi is known improve balance SheltieLover May 24 #3
My 85-year-old brother-in-law does tai chi at the VA. greatauntoftriplets May 24 #6
Tai chi is fabulous! SheltieLover May 24 #7
He enjoys it, and it's close to home. greatauntoftriplets May 24 #8
Vestibular Rehab exercises help one regain balance. justaprogressive May 24 #4
can u get a wellness check? mopinko May 24 #5
He doesn't live in my town. The problem is that he is not amenable to a medical consultation. 3Hotdogs May 24 #10
Transient Ischemic Attack VGNonly May 24 #9
I don't know what he eats. I only see him once a week when we are working on stuff at the swamp. 3Hotdogs May 24 #11
TIAs can last a few minutes VGNonly May 25 #12
i have always had poor balance . AllaN01Bear May 25 #13

SheltieLover

(68,901 posts)
1. Try to get him to exercise to improve balance?
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:26 AM
May 24

I'm sure there are DVDs for senior balance issues.

Could be asymptomatic ear infection affecting balance?

KarenS

(4,978 posts)
2. It sounds like you care
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:28 AM
May 24

now let it go. You said what you thought and he can either do it or not. His choice.



SheltieLover

(68,901 posts)
3. Seniorplanet.org offers free exercise classes of all kinds daily. Tai chi is known improve balance
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:29 AM
May 24

mopinko

(72,618 posts)
5. can u get a wellness check?
Sat May 24, 2025, 09:43 AM
May 24

does your town have a dept of aging? not sure who else to call, but in chgo, the dept of aging will come out to check on someone if they get a call.

3Hotdogs

(14,224 posts)
10. He doesn't live in my town. The problem is that he is not amenable to a medical consultation.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:26 PM
May 24

3Hotdogs

(14,224 posts)
11. I don't know what he eats. I only see him once a week when we are working on stuff at the swamp.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:27 PM
May 24

Last edited Sun May 25, 2025, 06:44 PM - Edit history (1)

VGNonly

(8,108 posts)
12. TIAs can last a few minutes
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:57 AM
May 25

sometimes up to 24 hours. Confusion, balance and weakness, vision problems can occur. If you have had a TIA, chances are that you will have a stroke in the near future. If someone is having a stroke, TPA drugs (clot busters) are administered. Time is of the essence, within 3 hours or less, call medical aid immediately.

AllaN01Bear

(25,404 posts)
13. i have always had poor balance .
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:28 PM
May 25

when i was little , my dad made a balance board for me using plans in the back of pop sci. later i got a wii and a wii board. a few years ago , whilst doing physical thearapy i got a balance board and until i got sick again. was able to stand on the board for a count of ten without holding on to anything.
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