Wheelchair Bound

Like night and day. Mum looking so much happier and healthier just days after graduating from her stint in the wheelchair.

Mum had a great year in 2019 up until the autumn when she got her first taste of being wheel chair bound. We still don’t know exactly why and with Mum being incoherent it was difficult to ascertain what the issue was.

She could not walk without collapsing and following a consultation with the GP they thought it may have been a urine infection which can impact a person’s balance. In addition being prescribed antibiotics can have the same or added effect.

My Mum was clearly pretty miserable and frustrated at not being able to walk. All the care staff were sad for her as she is normally constantly on her feet and likes walking the corridors.

On the first week I tried to encourage her out of the wheel chair just to shift her into a more comfortable arm chair, however it was impossible. The second week I had more success and was able to get Mum into the arm chair. By this stage she had completed the course of antibiotics and the doctor said it could take a few more days for her to be up on her feet. By the following week I was concerned that she would become too reliant on the wheel chair and forget how to walk. So I made her get out of the wheel chair and take a few steps. I could see she was in pain and limping on one side but I was determined to get her moving. I could also tell she was pleased with herself. By the fourth week I had her up again and attempting a longer stretch. It was clear she had a weakness on one side.

I’m not sure if it was a case of a urine infection in the end. I wonder if the mobility has been affected by her dementia. Potential activity from the brain.

After five weeks she was no longer reliant on the wheel chair. It made such a difference to her mood. She was much happier and more engaging. Her sense of humour was back, more willing to want to have some fun and a laugh.

Five months later she is doing really well. Her mobility is not what it used to be since the wheel chair. She has had a few falls and when I take her out for a walk I need to take her by the arm or hold her hand so that I am able to catch her when the weakness on the one side gives way. I am determined to keep her mobile for as long as possible.