Gerontology 130
Working with the Frail Elderly
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Gerontology 130 |
UNIT 16Transferring and Safety Issues |
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In the last stages of dementia, ambulation becomes increasingly more difficult. Individuals can no longer understand the commands you are giving them and may have difficulty walking or sitting. Getting individuals in an out of cars, transferring from a bed to chair, or getting to the bathroom in time, can be next to impossible if caregivers are not aware of proper body mechanics and transferring techniques.
To help caregivers understand the importance of body mechanics, Assistant Professor Donna Schwab, P.T., M.S., of Long Beach California State University, and her students—Chu Lee and Michael Bennett—illustrate how to properly get a person out of bed, assist someone from a sitting to standing position, transfer someone from a wheelchair to a chair, and how to properly use such devices as a cane and walker. Physical Therapists are trained to teach family members the importance of range of motion, mobility, transferring, and safety techniques and help to restore and rehabilitate physical functioning.
General Considerations:
Assistant Professor Donna Schwab reviews general principals when working with elderly individuals. These include the following:
(A special of note of thanks to Professor Donna Schwab, P.T., M.S. and students Michael Bennett, Chu Lee and Diana To for their assistance in teaching caregivers the importance of body mechanics when working with frail elderly adults.)
None.
Assistant Professor Donna Schwab, at California State University of Long Beach, emphasizes the general considerations listed above and proper body mechanics for the caregiver. Additionally, specific instructions on how to get out of bed, assist from a sitting to standing position, and proper techniques for using a walker and cane are demonstrated by Long Beach Physical Therapy students Chu Lee, and Michael Bennett.
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