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/otlist@otnow.com ************************************************************************ ************** 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/otlist@otnow.com ************************************************************************************** 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 **************************************************************************************
