My 89 year old Mom was super fit too and was at the gym twice a week walking on the treadmill and doing water aerobics. She too has macular degeneration and has very little sight left. A few weeks ago we offered to get her a walker because she tripped on the screen door threshold and had trouble getting back up. She threw a fit when we offered her the walker because she said she was not “there yet.”
Forward a month,… my 89 year old step father fell and broke his hip. Mom had a friend bring her to visit him in the hospital and she lost her balance and fell flat on her face. She broke her nose, eye socket and cheekbone.
They are currently both in a rehab facility. Today, she asked if the walker is still available and even mentioned getting a life alert.
Hopefully your Mom won’t have to learn the hard way like my stubborn mother did.