ScenarioBeth has dementia and has come into the residential service after a bad fall at home, resulting in a hip fracture and a long hospital admission with complications. She is frail, very weak and unsteady and has been advised to use a frame to walk. Beth forgets about the frame, and whenever she wants to go to the bathroom, she gets up impulsively and tries to rush there unaided. She has had two near-miss falls in the service. The staff decide to sit her in a recliner chair to prevent her from walking unaided and falling. The chair is very comfortable, but she is unable to get out of it without assistance. This is a form of mechanical restraint as Beth is being prevented from moving freely, even though the motivation is safety. It requires assessment, documentation and informed consent according to the principles and the relevant state and territory legislation.f. What proactive strategies/approaches could be used to eliminate the need to use this restrictive practice with Beth?
Question
ScenarioBeth has dementia and has come into the residential service after a bad fall at home, resulting in a hip fracture and a long hospital admission with complications. She is frail, very weak and unsteady and has been advised to use a frame to walk. Beth forgets about the frame, and whenever she wants to go to the bathroom, she gets up impulsively and tries to rush there unaided. She has had two near-miss falls in the service. The staff decide to sit her in a recliner chair to prevent her from walking unaided and falling. The chair is very comfortable, but she is unable to get out of it without assistance. This is a form of mechanical restraint as Beth is being prevented from moving freely, even though the motivation is safety. It requires assessment, documentation and informed consent according to the principles and the relevant state and territory legislation.f. What proactive strategies/approaches could be used to eliminate the need to use this restrictive practice with Beth?
Solution
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Regular Reminders: Staff could remind Beth frequently about the need to use her frame when walking. This could be done verbally or with visual cues placed around her living area.
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Physical Therapy: Beth could benefit from physical therapy to strengthen her muscles and improve her balance. This could reduce her risk of falling and increase her confidence in walking unaided.
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Personal Alarm: Beth could be given a personal alarm to use when she needs to go to the bathroom. This would alert staff to assist her, reducing the risk of her attempting to walk unaided.
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Environment Modification: Making modifications to Beth's environment could also help. This could include removing tripping hazards, installing handrails, and ensuring the path to the bathroom is well lit.
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Scheduled Bathroom Breaks: Staff could implement scheduled bathroom breaks for Beth. This would reduce the likelihood of her needing to rush to the bathroom, thus reducing the risk of falls.
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Training: Staff could be trained in techniques to assist Beth in moving safely. This could include safe lifting techniques and how to properly support Beth while she is walking.
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Medication Review: If Beth is on any medications that could be contributing to her unsteadiness or forgetfulness, a review of these could be beneficial.
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Use of Assistive Devices: Besides the walking frame, other assistive devices like a wheelchair or a walker with a seat could be considered.
Remember, any strategy should be person-centered, respecting Beth's dignity and autonomy, and should be regularly reviewed for its effectiveness.
Similar Questions
Linda, who uses a wheelchair, begins to slide down in her chair in a slouched position. She asks if you are able to assist her. You have been trained on how to support Linda and know that this is part of her care, as documented in her addendum. Which permitted action are you using?Allow a licensed health care professional to safely conduct a medical examination or to provide medical treatment ordered by a licensed health care professionalAssist in the safe evacuation or redirection of a person in the event of an emergency and the person is at imminent risk of harmPosition a person with physical disabilities in a manner specified in the person's coordinated service and support plan addendumUse of adaptive aids or equipment, orthotic devices, or other medical equipment ordered by a licensed health professional to treat a diagnosed medical condition do not in and of themselves constitute the use of mechanical restraint
Less than 15 seconds time interval when an elderly patient is asked to rise from achair without using armrests, walk and return back is considered indication of highfall risk. *(-/1 Point)10.False
Beth was noted to be incontinent in the recliner during periods of restraint. What additional support strategies could be used to assist Beth?
You just returned from a walk with Sally. Sally has a history of falls due to an abnormal gait. You gently hold her arm as she walks up the stairs to her apartment building. Which permitted procedure are you using?To calm or comfort a person by holding that person with no resistance from that personTo protect a person known to be at risk of injury due to frequent falls or as a result of a medical conditionsTo facilitate the person’s completion of a task or response when the person does not resist or the person’s resistance is minimal in intensity and durationTo block or redirect a person’s limbs or body without holding the person
transferring a patient from a bed to wheelchair with weakness
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