I agree with you Ron...we only overcome our fears by attempting the task and succeeding. As for balance control, the same holds true and also one must "fall" to learn how to regain balance control.....so, maybe use a "secure" environment (i.e. things to grab on or mats to fall on, and give challenges while she walks with cane (i.e. changing positions, shoving her, people walking in front of her, etc)...also, maybe she will do better without a cane - maybe the cane just adds more complexity to the task
David A. Lehman, PhD, PT Associate Professor Tennessee State University Department of Physical Therapy 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, TN 37209 615-963-5946 [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email and any files transmitted with it may contain confidential information and is intended solely for use by the individual to whom it is addressed. If you receive this correspondence in error, please notify the sender and delete the email from your system. Do not disclose its contents with others. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 11:34 AM 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 ************************************************************************ ************** -- 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 **************************************************************************************
