Remember the information you collected during the assessment? In this topic you will learn how this information can help you to teach the person how to safely use their walking aid.
Difficulty remembering instructions
Question
If a person has difficulty remembering instructions, what could you do to help them to remember how to use their walking aid?
- Teach a family member or carer how to use the walking aid so that they can remind them at home
- Spend more time with the person and repeat the instructions several times
- Ask the person to show you what you have taught them
- Offer to provide written instructions if this would help.
Problems with sensation (feeling)
If the person has reduced sensation on their feet you will need to:
- Advise the person to avoid hopping
- Explain the importance of always wearing shoes to protect the feet.
Tell the person to check their feet daily for any signs of problems, such as red or sore areas.
Remember Ravi?
Ravi is an older man who has diabetes. You told him to check his foot daily for any signs of problems, such as red or sore areas.
Ravi tells you that he can’t reach to look underneath his foot.
Question
What can you suggest to help Ravi check his feet?
- Ravi could use a mirror to check the bottom of his foot
- Ravi could ask a family member or carer to check his feet daily.
Using a prosthesis
A person with a prosthesis may want to walk both with and without the prosthesis. You will need to teach them how to use the walking aid:
- Without the prosthesis: weight bearing on one leg
- With the prosthesis: weight bearing on two legs.
If the person is having difficulty walking, of if they experience any problems, they should be referred to a rehabilitation or prosthetic service.