Steps

[poliphilo]

My mother is having increasing difficulty negotiating steps. I don't think it's entirely physical- though it's that as well; I think it's that she's lost the unconscious motor skill and is having to think about how to do it- and when she thinks she panics and totters. Ailz suggests we stop eating in the kitchen where the steps are most challenging 

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

The downstairs at my MiL's place was all on one level so it wasn't too much of an issue once we'd had a stair lift fitted but this sounds awful familiar.:o(

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

This is a 19th century house with bits added on- and wherever there are additions there are steps; it's mad.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Yes...the unsureness is what's worst. I've had a bit if trouble going down steps the last few years ever since my knee problems started. Going down makes me feel like they may give out and I hesitate which makes me feel a bit tense and panicky. Physical + mental...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Going down is much worse than going up, isn't it?

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Absolutely and especially when you're going down steep stone stairs in medieval towers...as we did a few days ago.
:)

[faunhaert.livejournal.com]

might be one eye is worse than the other
might be messing with what little bit of depth perception she has.

one the things i found handy is to create songs/ditties
to describe what mom needed to do
usually its with knitting
but i used it with walking for a while

look up not at you feet you go where your eyes go..

put foot out and lift you up
put foot out and lift you up

one step two step 3 to the floor

sounds like an interesting place
all mottled together

here the center piece going across is sagging
we tried lifting it up
and it sinks in to the floor when the rains come
or squished in to the beam. old beam rot i guess.