Assuming that she has good mental abilities outside of her stubbornness which is probably leading to her impulsivity. I would investigate how she fell the 2 previous times. If she claims that she was "furniture walking" during those accidents, you should attempt to rationalize with her that "her way" left her with 2 broken hips and she should try it your way. I know it sounds direct, but maybe that is the only way to convince her. If you think otherwise, use tact, but the same message.
Arley Johnson MS, OTR/L Operations Manager Rehabilitation Services Pennsylvania Hospital P: 215.829.5018 B: 215.422.0174 C: 215.828.0050 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Christi Vicino Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 12:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [OTlist] Functional Mobility Training The things that she is grabbing hold of may not be stable enough to provide assist in sustaining her balance. She may not always make appropriate choices of what to grab onto especially when a loss of balance occurs. "Furniture Walking" alters her center of gravity when ambulating and does not encourage the muscles that need to be strengthened by walking with the appropriate posture to strengthen and make her a safe walker. Christi -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:38 AM To: OTlist Subject: [OTlist] Functional Mobility Training Hello All: I've been working with a geriatric friend/patient who is asking me a question that I can not convincingly answer. This 90 y/o patient is about 6 years s/p CVA with residual visual / balance deficits. She has fallen twice this year fracturin both hips. She previously walked without any AD put had difficulty with balance. She is very determined to return to functional mobility with a cane. She has progressed from a 4-wheel walker (which is unsafe because she used it incorrectly (very impulsive)) to a cane. But needs additional mobility training. Here's the problem. When she walks, she continually grabs doorways, handles, cabinets, etc. She does NOT need these but feels more stable with them. I have stressed that she needs to be consistent with her mobility and walk in the same manner. But she asks me "why not use them if they are there"? I need help trying to explain to her that it's best if she not rely on cabinets, doorways, etc for mobility. But I can't provide a satisfactory answer as to why? Any suggestions? Thanks, Ron -- "... as a profession that offers unique services that are ideally suited to meet the health, participation, and quality of life needs of people of all ages, occupational therapy is well-positioned to succeed and flourish in the 21st century." [Fred Somers, AJOT, April, 2005, p. 127] "The part of convalescence that I found most profoundly humiliating and depressing was [OT]... I was reduced to playing with brightly colored plastic letters ... like a three-year-old..." [AJOT, April, 2005, p. 231] -- 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 ************************************************************************ ************** -- 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 ************************************************************************************** The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail, and delete the original message. -- 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 **************************************************************************************
