We found for certain stages of the disease that a bean bag chair was helpful and then a Broda chair later in disease process.
-----Original Message----- From: M. Wilson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, December 04, 2003 6:22 AM Subject: Re: Care plan issue - Falls >In another facility I worked at a few years ago, we >had a heck of a time with a young, >stubborn/independent-minded resident with Huntington's >chorea. Multiple approaches we tried to keep her from >falling/prevent injury included: >checking labs for abnormals (like lytes, UTI, >infection), referrals to therapy for gait & balance >training, restorative walking program, frequent >medication reviews, toileting plans, personal alarms >on bed & wheelchair, weight sensitive sensor pads on >bed & w/c, seat belts (both velcro & auto-type), >falling star program (star over bed to alert staff >that she is a fall risk), frequent bed checks, lap >buddy, merry walker, padded helmet, soft elbow & knee >protectors, mats on both sides of the bed, & extensive >care planning. We even carpeted the walls & floor of >the bathroom and padded the sink, & removed towel >racks and other protrusions that she could injure >herself on. I'm sure there are many other options out >there, but maybe these will give you a few ideas >anyway.---Mike > >--- "Holly Sox, RN, RAC-C" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >wrote: >> Hi Michelle, >> We have a couple of frequent fallers, and here are >> some of the things we have done: >> **Hip protectors. These have been a godsend for a >> couple of our little old ladies. We have one who >> absolutely refuses to wear them because they make >> her butt look big. (Her words) For the most part, >> they are well received and the literature seems to >> support their benefit. >> >> **Soft mats on the floor. These are more for >> nonambulatory folks who roll or climb out of bed. >> They can be more of a hazard if the person is able >> to ambulate and then trips on them. >> >> **LEAF program, which identifies the person as a >> high fall risk. The entire staff is inserviced >> regularly and in orientation about what the little >> green leaf means, and our staff are really good >> about watching these folks. >> >> That's all I can think of right now. I will send >> more if it comes to me. >> >> Holly F. Sox, RN, RAC-C >> Clinical Editor, Careplans.com >> www.careplans.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Michelle Witges >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 2:41 PM >> Subject: Care plan issue - Falls >> >> >> This is not MDS related but I need some idea's for >> a patient who continues to fall. I have a lady who >> has had a CVA with paralysis on right side. She is >> in a Merry Walker as she is very unsteady on her >> feet. She also has a personal alarm on. She is >> able to get around safely in the Merry Walker and >> the personal alarm is to notify if she tries to get >> up without assist. Now comes my problem, she is >> able to open the Merry Walker and take off her >> personal alarm there by up without staff assist. >> She has fallen numerous times doing this. Luckily >> she has not hurt herself seriously. She has fallen >> again today and has a lovely shiner and goose egg >> below her left eye. Is there anything else that we >> can do to keep her safe. I am out of ideas. Any >> help is greatly appreciated. Thank you. >> Michelle >> This message is confidential, intended only for >> the named recipient(s) and may contain information >> that is privileged or exempt from disclosure under >> applicable law. If this message contains protected >> health information (PHI), it should not be forwarded >> to any other recipient without the authorization of >> the original sender and should be encrypted when >> possible. If you are not the intended recipient(s), >> you are notified that the dissemination, >> distribution or copying of this message is strictly >> prohibited. If you receive this message in error, or >> are not the named recipient(s), please notify the >> sender at either the email address or telephone >> number above and delete this email from your >> computer. >> >> Thank You. >> >> Michelle Witges > > >__________________________________ >Do you Yahoo!? >Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now >http://companion.yahoo.com/ >/---------------------------------------------------------- >The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" >Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org >-----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
