Thanks for ALL the feedback. I think I've been moving in the wrong direction. On my last visit with the patient, we discussed raising the bed height so that it is even with the wheelchair. This WILL make slide-board transfers much easier but I think it's going to make it even more difficult for the patient to control getting her weight forward.
Joan, does your husband use his trapeze to move down the bed? Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Joan Riches <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] On-line Colloboration (5/29 Update) JR> Hi Ron JR> This collaboration is great. I'm so enjoying Susanne's coaching. I've JR> checked out the videos and will pass the link on. There's nothing like JR> living with a disability to understand how to work out the wrinkles. As I've JR> said we deal with a different mobility difficulty but we are making JR> accommodations all the time. >>From susanne JR> "Don't stem (press) on flat hands, but on fists or knuckles." JR> Joan adds - It's a lot easier to learn to press up with closed fists if JR> there is something in them (tubi-grip or rolled washcloth?) It seems to JR> stabilise the wrists and helps if fingernails are not trimmed short. Don't JR> worry about her having to keep track of two more pieces she'll be able to JR> discard them after a while. JR> My husband uses a tension pole with a trapeze and a grab bar for bed JR> mobility. His is a commercial product but rope, PVC pipe and a skyhook make JR> a good trapeze. A single point of attachment rather than two is easier to JR> change direction with. Short lengths of PVC pipe threaded onto rope make an JR> effective D handle. A rope tied to a bed leg or to both legs on one side can JR> sometimes help. Knots tied in a long strip of old sheets can be easier on JR> the hands when you need to pull hand over hand. Railings, grab bars, handles JR> - get them thinking where they would help and then checking out garage JR> sales, junk stores etc. JR> Remember that all our commercial equipment started out with someone solving JR> a problem and most of the someones were the ones with the problem or their JR> families. JR> Have fun, Joan JR> No virus found in this outgoing message. JR> Checked by AVG Free Edition. JR> Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.7/830 - Release Date: 6/3/2007 JR> 12:47 PM -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
