Final answer:
Assisting a patient with a walker involves ensuring their safety by adjusting the walker's height, maintaining a wider base of support, monitoring their gait, and staying close to assist with balance. Positive reinforcement is equally important for the patient's confidence and progress in physical exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assisting a patient in using a walker, the most important action is to ensure the patient's safety and stability at all times. Firstly, check that the walker is adjusted to the appropriate height for the patient, allowing their elbows to bend at a slight angle when they hold the handles. Encourage the patient to step inside the walker, rather than to the sides, to prevent it from tipping. As they move forward, advise them to advance the walker first and then step forward with one leg at a time, ensuring that both feet are within the walker before the next step.
Maintain close proximity to the patient to assist if they lose balance, as they might experience ataxia or unstable gait. Monitor their footing to prevent trips and falls, especially upon encountering uneven surfaces. Remember that maintaining a wider base of support and a lower center of gravity increases stability, similar to the concepts of balance outlined in figure 23.5.11, which describes a child using a push toy for support.
It is also valuable to encourage the patient and provide positive reinforcement to boost their confidence and facilitate progress in their mobility. The goal is to support the physical and emotional health of the patient by combining safety with encouragement to engage in physical exercise.