My dad absolutely refuses to use a walker or a cane and if we threaten him or tell him we won't take him out if he doesnt he gets violent. He lives in an apartment by himself because my sister who is his guardian won't put him in a nursing home. I know its just a matter of time before he falls. Does anyone have any suggestions? I threatened him with social services once to get him to use his cane and it worked but now he won't use anything and nothing I say will change his mind. HELP!
Your dad is at risk of falling. Maybe correctly using a walker would reduce that risk, but it won't eliminate it. It is hard for someone with dementia to remember how to use the walker "correctly" even if they are willing to use it.
Personally, I wonder if it is worth the stress in your relationship to keep fighting this. (Mine is very likely a minority opinion in that regard.)
Will Dad use a medical alert device? Would he remember to use it if he fell?
I'm sorry but I do not believe that elderly persons with dementia can safely live by themselves without a LOT of support and then only for the very early stage.
The solution here is not to make him use a walker -- I don't think that is going to happen -- it is to get him into a safe environment.
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