Ron: It sounds like this person was graduated to a cane too early. Proper training should have included a bridge from a walker to a cane. At this point, it may best serve her to go back to a walker to work on her confidence with techniques to graduate to a cane. Some techniques include using her fingers or heel of her hand to advance the walker as oppose to putting her weight thru her palms. I hope it helps!!
Arley Johnson MS, OTR/L -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 12:34 PM To: OTlist Subject: [OTlist] Overcoming Fear During Mobility Hello All: Any great suggestions for helping someone overcome fear with using a cane? The patient really wants to be independent but she is scared of falling. She is physically and mentally able to use the cane with only occasional cueing, but she is just fearful. But, she wants to learn to safely and effectively use her cane. Suggestions? I've told her that all that I know to do is give her the opportunity to be successful with her cane but she must internalize this success. I likened it to someone learning to walk a tightrope. They are at first fearful but after proper instruction and successful engagement, their fear subsides. But, not everyone would be able to control their fear in such a situation. I am considering that this patient will not be able to find balance between confidence and fear. 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 ************************************************************************************** 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 **************************************************************************************
