Declining mobility and VD

RetiredTeacher · May 27

There are so many on this site with much bigger issues than mine and farther along on the journey. DH has VD after several strokes in his parietal lobe. He has executive function issues, receptive and ecpressive language defecits but very little problem with memory. He can still do his ADLs but is declining physically at a faster rate. He smoked for 50 yrs, has emphysema, atherosclerosis and 2 abdominal and one thoracic aortic aneurysm. His legs are very week. Static standing for more than a minute or two is difficult and walking is painful. He does use a walker but struggles to go any farther than is necessary. He can ride an etrike and I was wondering about a mobility scooter. He likes to get out but don't think he would accept a wheel chair. The scooter would allow us to get out, go places and do things we can't now. I'm hoping to still make more memories. I realize as VD progresses He will lose the ability to operate the scooter but it might give us the ability to get out and about. He is glued to his recliner, parked in front of the tv...his choice....

Am i kidding myself about the scooter and more time to make memories or should I just accept this is where he/we are at and accept trying to get out and do anything involving walking is just not going to happen???

Anyone with advice for me??

SDianeL · May 28

If he can learn to use a mobility scooter it might be worth a try with the understanding that it may only be temporary. Maybe take him to a grocery store and see if he can operate one there? Ask the insurance company. Maybe an OT can evaluate him to see if he can use one.

harshedbuzz · May 28

I'd be a little wary of the scooter, personally.

My dad, with middle-approaching-later stage dementia, had similar health issues around weakness and breathing. When I took him to Costco for new hearing aids, I encouraged him to try one. He loved it, but his visual processing and executive function were so poor at that point he was a menace to those around him. Evidently this is common, dad's MCF did not allow scooters even for those folks who'd been using them at home.

Many stores do offer these as a courtesy. Perhaps you could plan an outing to see how he does with one. I used them around my TKR, DH would ride one out to the car, so I didn't have to walk in and find one.

HB

tboard · May 28

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73147/declining-mobility-and-vd

A hallmark of VD and other dementias are loss of executive function. Anyone with questionable executive function will need close supervision when operating a scooter.

RetiredTeacher · May 29

Thank you for your responses. As much as I want to continue outings with him, things involving very little walking will need to do. So many things we used to do, places we went, activities are no longer possible. He has very slow processing and even if he could master the controls, he would not be able to quickly respond in a dynamic environment. I am really working on acceptance of life as it is in the here and now. Ty for your support.

Big Papa2760 · May 31

Hi:

My DW has had VD for 2.5 years. She is sleeping a lot and doesn't have good gripping coordination. She fell again 2 days ago, and both eyes are swollen and black and blue, and her nose is also black & Blue. I have a care giver who is her 3 hour, 3 times a week so I can have some time to do projects around the house or just relax. This site is a blessing for help and understanding, it's also a great place to vent. Take care and if you need to talk about VD issues I'm around. Take care.

Declining mobility and VD

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