There are four issues, in particular, that should automatically spring to the mind of any healthcare professional looking after those with poor mobility. These are to endeavor to provide patients with a sense of freedom, to preserve their dignity, to look out for their safety and wellbeing, and to have the patience of a saint.
Providing A Sense of Freedom
The essence of restricted mobility is the restriction of self-autonomy and freedom. This is why it is critical to keep individuals with poor mobility moving regularly, both for the sake of their physical fitness and for the sake of their mental health. Consider, for instance, a patient recovering from spinal surgery. This represents a fairly nightmarish scenario in terms of restricted freedoms while they are recovering from this. A simple way to empower such an individual is to accommodate the ability to adjust a lying position without compromising the stasis of the vertebrae by systems that adjust the angle of tilt, also known as Trendelenburg. This allows for a bed to be raised so that the head is in a higher position than the feet while keeping the back straight, which, among other simpler features, is a common theme you will see when looking at suppliers like medical-supermarket.com. The function also allows users to achieve an upright position with normal seat angles, allowing them to engage in activity, which was previously unachievable, including the ability to eat and drink more easily, interact with loved ones, or watch TV.
Preserving A Patient’s Dignity
For many, the use of a hoist or a wheelchair can be an undignified experience, and so if the procedure or the equipment is necessary, then it should be used promptly and without undue delay or fuss. Cleanliness is another critical factor in preserving a patient’s dignity, as poor mobility creates challenges in basic toiletry functions, and asking for help can often be extremely embarrassing. Again, emphasis on empowering the patient to take care of themselves by providing access to resources that make this possible go a long way to preserving dignity. This can be something as simple as having the ability to shower without having to stand up, something easily achievable with the simple use of a commode.
Constant Vigilance
It goes without saying that those with poor mobility are generally those who are in a particularly vulnerable set of circumstances. One cannot necessarily ask a disabled person to move away from danger, and there are other considerations more sinister that can easily lead to unnecessary complications from a healthcare point of view, such as a lack of movement in bed leading to bedsores and pressure ulcers.
Having The Patience of a Saint
At this point, you might be wondering why anyone would want to be a healthcare professional taking care of people with poor mobility. It sounds like a very thankless job and very one-way in terms of who’s needs are prioritized, but it is rewarding. One cannot necessarily justify this by saying that the pay is great. This is, ultimately, where having a clear sense of what it is that one is doing is very important, as well as why one is doing it. The reality, though, is that without the healthcare worker, healthcare would cease to function, and this is not something that should ever be forgotten, especially by healthcare workers themselves.
