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3Hotdogs

(14,472 posts)
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:10 AM May 2025

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 2025 OP
Try to get him to exercise to improve balance? SheltieLover May 2025 #1
It sounds like you care KarenS May 2025 #2
Seniorplanet.org offers free exercise classes of all kinds daily. Tai chi is known improve balance SheltieLover May 2025 #3
My 85-year-old brother-in-law does tai chi at the VA. greatauntoftriplets May 2025 #6
Tai chi is fabulous! SheltieLover May 2025 #7
He enjoys it, and it's close to home. greatauntoftriplets May 2025 #8
Vestibular Rehab exercises help one regain balance. justaprogressive May 2025 #4
can u get a wellness check? mopinko May 2025 #5
He doesn't live in my town. The problem is that he is not amenable to a medical consultation. 3Hotdogs May 2025 #10
Transient Ischemic Attack VGNonly May 2025 #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 2025 #11
TIAs can last a few minutes VGNonly May 2025 #12
i have always had poor balance . AllaN01Bear May 2025 #13

SheltieLover

(73,064 posts)
1. Try to get him to exercise to improve balance?
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:26 AM
May 2025

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

Could be asymptomatic ear infection affecting balance?

KarenS

(5,050 posts)
2. It sounds like you care
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:28 AM
May 2025

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



SheltieLover

(73,064 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 2025

mopinko

(72,890 posts)
5. can u get a wellness check?
Sat May 24, 2025, 09:43 AM
May 2025

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

(14,472 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 2025

3Hotdogs

(14,472 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 2025

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

VGNonly

(8,234 posts)
12. TIAs can last a few minutes
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:57 AM
May 2025

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

(27,201 posts)
13. i have always had poor balance .
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:28 PM
May 2025

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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