Other Support Given To The
Client With Disabilities
**Support workers can sustain injuries while assisting clients with exercise and
activity.
AMBULATION
- The act of walking, helps prevent deconditioning if done regularly.
Encourage the clients to use handrails along the wall for additional support.
Before beginning to walk, remove any obstacles in the path.
Place a chair nearby in case the client needs to rest.
Make sure that the client is wearing non skid footwear.
Clients who have weakness on one side and are using a cane or handrails use the
strong side for support while the support worker should walk on the weak side of
the client to assist, walking slightly behind the client’s side.
Encourage personal choice in walking.
After helping the client with ambulation, report and record the
following:
1. How well the client tolerated the activity
2. Any complaints of pain or discomfort
3. The distance walked.
HELPING THE CLIENT TO WALK
PRE-PROCEDURES:
1. Ensure that YOUR own muscles are warmed up. Practice good posture and
body mechanics throughout this skill.
2. Identify the client, according to employer policy.
3. Explain the procedure to the client.
4. Perform hand hygiene.
5. Collect the following supplies
a.
b.
c.
Robe and non skid shoes
Paper or sheep to protect bottom linens
Gait (transfer) belt if used in your agency.
6. Provide Privacy.
Procedure
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Lower the bed, lock the bed wheels and lower the bed rails.
Fan-fold top linens to the foot of the bed.
Place paper or sheet on the bed. Put the clients shoes while sitting on the bed.
Help the client to dangle the legs
Depending on your employer’s policy, apply the gait belt.
Help the client stand up.
Stand at the client’s side while the client gains balance.
Encourage the client to stand erect with the head up and back straight.
help the client walk. (check the care plan regarding how to safely provide support.
Encourage the client to walk normally.
Walk the required distance if the client can tolerate the activity.
Help the client return to bed
Help the client to the centre of the bed
Remove shoes if they were not removed when the client was sitting on the side of the
bed.
POST-PROCEDURE
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Provide for safety and comfort
Place the call bell within reach
Follow the care plan for bed rail use.
Remove privacy measures
Return robe, shoes to their proper place
Perform hand hygiene.
FALLS
- Fall may happen when the client is standing or walking.
- They may feel weak, lightheaded, or dizzy, fainting may occur.
- May be caused by slipping or sliding on spills, waxed floors or throw
rugs or simply wearing improper shoes.
**Your instinct is to try to prevent the fall. --- However, you could injure
yourself and the client as you twist and strain to stop the fall.
What would you do if the client falls in a facility?
Focus on Home care
Use the following guidelines:
After the fall, check for the following:
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Pain and tenderness
Swelling or bruising
Inability to move a limb or difficulty moving a limb
Bleeding
Client report of having felt or heard a bone snap or pop.
**If you observe any of the above, if you suspect the client has a head, neck, or
back injury. DO NOT MOVE THE CLIENT. Call 9-1-1 and then your supervisor.
If the client is unhurt and is able to assist, help her up.
1. Place a chair beside the client.
2. Support the client’s hips and assist her into a kneeling position. Facing the
chair.
3. Have the client rest the forearms on the client
4. Tell the client to lift one knee and place the foot on the floor.
5. On the count of three help the client push up, stand, and pivot into the chair,
while holding on the armrests.
6. Once the client is in the chair, let her rest before assisting the client.
**Report the fall to your supervisor. Complete an incident report according to
employer policy.
Report and record
Include the following:
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How the fall occurred
How far the client walked
How activity was tolerated before the fall
Any complaints before the fall
The amount of assistance needed by the client while walking.
** This is done for legal purposes
Walking aids
- Support the body and are ordered by the physician, nurse or physiotherapist.
Crutches
Used when the client cannot use one leg or when one or both legs
need to gain strength.
LOFSTRAND crutches - made of metal.
AXILLARY crutches - made of wood or metal
** client who needs crutches must learn to walk, climb up and down
the stairs, sit and stand using crutches.
Client using crutches is at risk for falls.
Safety measures:
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Check the crutches tip.
Check the crutches flaws
Make the client wears well-fitted, flat, non-skid street shoes.
Ensure the client’s clothing fits well.
Practice safety measures to prevent falls
Keep crutches within reach of the client when not in use.
Canes
Used to help support a weak side of the body to provide balance.
SINGLE TIP
FOUR POINT
**4 point gives more support but are harder to move.
Cane is held on the strong (unaffected side) of the body.
walker
Four point walking aid gives more support.
Wheeled walker has wheels on the front legs
and rubber on the back. - back legs prevent
walker from moving while the client is walking
or standing.
DEMO: PROPER USE OF ASSISTIVE DEVICES
Braces
- Apparatus - metal, plastic or leather - worn to
support or align weak body parts or to prevent or
correct problems with the musculoskeletal
system.
- This should be kept clean and dry to prevent skin
breakdown, any complaints of pain and
discomfort.
** The care plan tells you when to apply and remove
the brace.