Dad has no balance
So a little background on my dad. He was a competitive triathlete for about 30 years he was in tremendous shape and ate really well. So kind of a surprise. He got Parkinson’s at 70. He’s actually held it off pretty good with only a slight tremor, but about two years ago he fell, and was never able to balance again. He can work fine. It’s just that if you let go, he has no balance and will fall over. A doctor said about 50% of Parkinson’s patients who fall are never able to walk again. Does anyone know if this is true? I feel like something acute happened that has nothing to do with Parkinson’s that hasn’t been diagnosed. Thank you.
how is the moving around, in a wheelchair? kind of confusing 
, Thank you for your question. If you haven't done so already, please contact your dad's movement disorder neurologist to ascertain if that doctor's "50%" rule is true or not. I personally do believe that this is a true statement. However, I would advise that it may be beneficial for him to be re-evaluated by a movement disorder neurologist if this has not been done so recently. Best, Marc M., Moderator, parkinsonsdisease.net This is NOT true. Do you have a gait belt? A U-step walker? My husband has used both for years and in January added a wheelchair. Each day is different. Do you have access to a PT? Good wishes to you and your husband.
What is not true? My dad has a gait belt and can walk fine if someone’s hold the belt. If you let go he will fall over. He lost ALL balance right after his fall. They said it’s the Parkinson’s but to me since it was an acute thing I think his loss of balance is something less.
by not true I meant that statement that 50% of people with PD who fall will never walk again is not true. My husband has been a fall risk for 2+ years. His is caused by ortho-static hypotension due to PD. When he stands his BP drops and he falls. He takes medicine to keep his BP up but daily dizziness periods effect us. He uses a gait belt (and walks short distances in a long hallway without it sometimes. A U-Step walker designed to help people wit PD he uses a lot (it is a different walker designed for people with PD) if I can find a link I will post it. Recently he had a very small stroke and now we also have a wheelchair. He really moves from wheel chair to walker to gait belt throughout the week to support travel needs. Best wishes!
I fall backward, so i walk forward with my walker
