Sudden issue with weakness & walking

joferg12 · June 4

I am caring for my mom who has memory loss due to dementia/alzheimers. Her memory loss became noticeable about 7-8 years ago. In the past several weeks she has suddenly become very weak when walking. She used to walk a lap or two at the track every other day and now struggles to walk a short distance around the house. I'm having a difficult time figuring out if she has grown weaker or if her brain is just not communicating with her legs. When you remind her to stand up straight when she walks, she will and takes a few steps without issue. Then she will begin to bend her knees and stoop over like she almost falls to the ground.

She also has become incapable of understanding instructions a lot of the time. For example, when helping her wash her hair or getting dressed, she appears to be listening to us but does not understand what is being said.

When she first started showing signs of weakness in her legs we were told to get a chair cycler to help her strengthen her leg muscles (she sits and peddles like on a bicycle)

Is this normal progression?

Thank you so much. I want to give her the best care that I can but don't know whether to be concern that it's something physical causing her problems or with her mind.

towhee · June 5

It could be something physical, or progression, or both. I am not a physician, but for the physical side if they have checked bloodwork, checked for an infection, and done a review of medications (anything new for example, or dosage changes) then that is probably all you can do there.

As the disease progresses there are all sorts of changes. Peripheral vision starts to be lost, and the person does not realize it, so they keep bending over when walking trying to see the floor. They start not comprehending all the words someone says, so they do not get meaning. Sometimes you can compensate by giving them visual clues. (This site seems to have changed the way it does links from when I was last on- so try searching youtube for Teepa Snow vision hearing)

SDianeL · 5:19AM

welcome. Yes it could be progression. Many dementia patients progress to a walker and then to a wheelchair then become bedridden during late stages of the disease. They become fall risk so make sure someone assists her. They make caregiver assist belts the person with dementia wears and you hold onto to help them in case they fall. I doubt exercise will help. Ask the doctor to rule out any medical issues to be sure. Read the book “The 36 Hour Dat” which really helped me after my husband’s diagnosis. Also Search for Tam Cummings videos online.

SDianeL · 5:21AM

Found this online: A stooped posture, or walking bent over, is a common symptom observed in individuals with dementia, particularly those with Lewy body dementia (LBD). This posture can result from a combination of factors, including slowed movements, muscle rigidity, and weakness, which are often associated with LBD and other types of dementia. It's important to note that dementia posturing is a progressive symptom, meaning it tends to worsen over time.

Sudden issue with weakness & walking

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