Mom's mobility has been declining since September 2022. She is now at the point where she has to use a walker to maneuver around the house. The home health Physical Therapist comes once a week to do exercises with her which, even though she complains and gripes about it, she still performs the exercises. However, when the therapist leaves, she refuses to do the exercises that the therapist recommends she do twice a day. Should I force her to do them and listen to her gripe and complain? I usually remind her of them and offer my help but most of the time she will say that she is in pain from arthritis and doesn't feel like doing them today.
The thing about knees, as explained to me about arthritis, when you don't move that joint (or others) through out the day, it's similar to having glue on your joint and the next time you bend it, you are breaking the glue loose. Offer Tylenol (acetaminophen) in the AM and PM to help with some of the pain and tell her while sitting, just lift your legs up and down from the floor to keep the joint bending throughout the day. A water bottle lifted up and down from the elbow joint keeps that one moving.
Let her know that it's her decision on how her life plays out, but you'd prefer for it to be with her being able to get around as long as she can. Then stop the conversation and let her think about it.
You might want to buy a tens unit - Walmart or drug stores carry them. Adjustable electrical pulses seem to ease the pain. Ask dr for lidocaine patches - you wear them 12 hrs and off for 12 hrs. These helped my parent a lot. Also, before exercising there is a cream at drug stores called arnica that helps as well as a spray called Biofreeze - check the can - you want the one with 10% menthol. Some have much less.
If she watches a lot of TV, tell her she can be reminded if she does a little something each time a commercial comes on.
Another way to get it done, don't tell dr she refuses to do them, but do ask him if she could get it twice a week for legs (Phys therapy) and when that is no longer approved by Medicare to order OT (occupational therapy/upper body) in order to keep some kind of exercises going longer. Some drs try to order them both at same time, but then the approval gets used up at the same time. Leaves you with nothing for a couple of months until dr can start it again. If you can't get more days via Medicare/home health, then (if financially able), hire someone to come 1 or 2 other days per week and work with her doing same exercises that your PT person does with her. You may be able to call a college where they train phys therapists and ask if they have a student who needs the work credits. Mom doesn't have to know this person and the home health person don't come from the same place, Just tell her dr concerned that she is about the same and he thought more in home work with her would help...he wasn't sure she was doing enough on her own when PT folks weren't there. Yes, a little white lie, but for your sanity and keeping her moving it's worth it.
I've observed any movement is better than none, For her, there are bigger battles to be fought.
I found this link helpful, good luck!
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/chair-exercises-and-limited-mobility-fitness.htm
Play kid games with her in the sense that for instance putting your feet in her feet together as you’re sitting down and pedal a bike together. That way you’re helping her do her exercises.
try using Voltaren to ease arthritic pain or the offbrand. You can find them in the OTC pharmacy and check with her doctor first. I’m not advertising either it just work for someone I know. Good luck.
If it is something you can and want to do with her would that help?
Going for a walk either outside or through a store.
YOU can not motivate anyone to do anything that they do not want to do. (if that were the case no one would be over weight or lacking exercises themselves)
Do what you can
What she choses to do is on her.
When it is more difficult for her to get around and she has to stay home rather than go out then she might be motivated if it is not to late.
If there are places she wants to go but can't due to mobility problems you could remind her of that it might motivate her but probably won't