While you’re a caregiver you’re going to notice some things changing for your senior. One such change might be that she moves from her normal way of walking to a more shuffling method. This is a bad sign, because it means that there’s something else happening for her that you need to investigate.
She’s Experiencing Pain When She Walks
If your elderly family member is experiencing pain, from arthritis or from other causes, when she’s walking, that may cause her to change her gait. Dealing with the underlying issue, such as finding solutions that help her arthritis pain, can eliminate the shuffling gait you’re seeing. If that doesn’t work, you may need to investigate other options.
Her Leg or Hip Muscles Are Weakening
When your senior starts to lose muscle tone and muscle mass, the larger muscle groups are often harder hit. That could mean that the muscles in her hips and legs are becoming weaker and it’s more difficult for her to use them. Under her doctor’s guidance, an exercise program can help her to rebuild those muscles, thereby improving her strength and her gait.
She Can’t See Well
Problems with vision can create problems that your senior doesn’t even notice at first. When your senior isn’t seeing well, she’s more likely to be hesitant as she’s walking. This can result in the shuffling gait that you’re noticing her using. Improving her vision can solve that issue.
Her Balance Is Off
Balance issues can also create a shuffle while your senior is walking. If she’s uncertain of her balance, she’s going to be less likely to lift one foot even for the time it takes to take one step. Exercises that improve her balance are going to help her to feel more secure while she’s walking.
She’s Afraid She’s Going to Fall
Fear of falling is an incredibly common fear for older adults and it’s a valid one. If your elderly family member is very afraid that she’s going to fall, she may even subconsciously take smaller, shuffling steps. This gives her the illusion that she’s got everything under more control than she actually does. Helping her to improve anything that might be contributing to her fall risk is the best way to cope with this.
Shuffling when walking is definitely something to be concerned about. Talk to your senior’s doctor if you’re noticing your elderly family member doing this so that you can start to try to figure out what’s behind the symptom. The sooner you get an answer, the sooner you can put a solution in place.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring caregivers in Saratoga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.