Hi Ron - to be very directive: In a situation where you can walk on a straight flat surface with no turns or obstacles -offer her your arm on the opposite side from the one for optimal use of the cane. Let her take your arm, then affectionately lay your other hand over hers and hold her solidly with your forearm against your side. (Close human contact and trust to deal with fear while retaining physical control of self) Follow her lead for starting and pace and have her simply touch the cane down at the point of stepping forward with the foot closest to you so she has practice managing the cane in her hand without needing to depend on it. Have her play with the cane as a walking stick, walking slowly but upright with a flourish. (I hope it is an elegant, fashionable, well fitted one where the point of contact with the ground is directly under her hand.) After several 'happy walks' you will begin to feel her hand resting more lightly on your arm and ........ well you can take it from there but don't be in a hurry. Most of all - have fun. (Think about escorting a duchess in to dinner) She sounds like such a great person. Seems like you've moved from expert to client-centred enabler with this. What a case history this would make! One more thing - don't ever again talk with her about mobility and safety when she is sitting down at which point her sense of her physical abilities reverts to what she used to be able to do. Actually try to stop talking about it at all especially in negative terms of disastrous outcomes. There are a lot more recommendations I've been thinking about. This is enough for now. Blessings, Joan
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 10:34 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 **************************************************************************** ********** No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.8/993 - Release Date: 9/6/2007 3:18 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.8/993 - Release Date: 9/6/2007 3:18 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 **************************************************************************************
