Another reason is that she may be in a place where she can not rely on furniture for stability.
I would also wonder about visual/vestibular problems or issues Joanne -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Carson Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:42 AM To: Joan Riches Subject: Re: [OTlist] Functional Mobility Training Joan, I should have mentioned that she does have new learning issues. But this is not a learning issue. She is very smart and very set in her ways. If things don't make sense she won't do them. And I respect that about her! Like I said, she is a good friend and I know he well. She will only NOT use furniture if it makes sense to her. Does that make sense? <smile> Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Joan Riches <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 To: OTlist@OTnow.com <OTlist@OTnow.com> Subj: [OTlist] Functional Mobility Training JR> Hi Ron JR> Do the ACLS. This description screams cognitive deficit to me JR> massively complicated by physical disability. I would venture a JR> guess based on your description but I don't want to set you up. Joan JR> -----Original Message----- JR> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On JR> Behalf Of Ron Carson JR> Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 9:38 AM JR> To: OTlist JR> Subject: [OTlist] Functional Mobility Training JR> Hello All: JR> I've been working with a geriatric friend/patient who is asking JR> me a question that I can not convincingly answer. JR> This 90 y/o patient is about 6 years s/p CVA with residual JR> visual / balance deficits. She has fallen twice this year fracturin both hips. JR> She previously walked without any AD put had difficulty with balance. JR> She is very determined to return to functional mobility with a cane. JR> She has progressed from a 4-wheel walker (which is unsafe because JR> she used it incorrectly (very impulsive)) to a cane. But JR> needs additional mobility training. Here's the problem. JR> When she walks, she continually grabs doorways, handles, cabinets, etc. JR> She does NOT need these but feels more stable with them. I have JR> stressed that she needs to be consistent with her mobility and JR> walk in the same manner. But she asks me "why not use them if they are there"? JR> I need help trying to explain to her that it's best if she not JR> rely on cabinets, doorways, etc for mobility. But I can't provide a JR> satisfactory answer as to why? JR> Any suggestions? JR> Thanks, JR> Ron JR> -- JR> "... as a profession that offers unique services that are ideally JR> suited to meet the health, participation, and quality of life JR> needs of people of all ages, occupational therapy is JR> well-positioned to succeed and flourish in the 21st century." [Fred JR> Somers, AJOT, April, 2005, p. 127] JR> "The part of convalescence that I found most profoundly humiliating JR> and depressing was [OT]... I was reduced to playing with brightly JR> colored plastic letters ... like a three-year-old..." [AJOT, April, 2005, p. JR> 231] JR> -- JR> Options? JR> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com JR> Archive? JR> www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com JR> ******************************************************************** JR> ******** JR> ********** JR> Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science JR> for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. JR> www.otdegree.com/otn JR> ******************************************************************** JR> ******** JR> ********** JR> No virus found in this incoming message. JR> Checked by AVG Free Edition. JR> Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.5/988 - Release Date: JR> 9/4/2007 JR> 9:14 AM JR> JR> No virus found in this outgoing message. JR> Checked by AVG Free Edition. JR> Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.5/988 - Release Date: JR> 9/4/2007 JR> 9:14 AM JR> -- 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 **************************************************************************************