Safety Education Plan for Direct-Care

SAFETY EDUCATION PLAN 1

SafetyEducation Plan for Direct-Care

Falls can cause persons with dementia to suffer severe injuries. Theensuing fractures decrease the quality of life (Rochester, Lord,Yarnall, &amp Burn, 2014). Changes in cognition, sensory input, andphysical function enhance the risk of experiencing falls. It isimperative for practitioner to adopt techniques aimed at fallprevention (Rochester et al., 2014). An occupational therapist canuse environmental adaptation and task modification to prevent fallsand injuries in persons with dementia.

It is critical to evaluate the patient’s cognitive abilities andfocus on what he or she can do (Bunn et al., 2014). An OTpractitioner can utilize such information to help the clientparticipate in meaningful occupations such as leisure and self-care(Bunn et al., 2014). Admittedly, a patient with dementia mayexperience difficulties while performing instrumental activities ofdaily living. In this regard, an occupational therapist can modifythe patient’s tasks based on the latter’s cognitive level. The OTpractitioner should ensure that tasks are simplified into achievablesegments (Bunn et al., 2014). Care partners such as family memberscan provide appropriate support to help the person perform certainactivities. Task modification allows the individual to maintain asemblance of independence (Bunn et al., 2014). Hence, an occupationaltherapist can reduce the risk of suffering falls and injuries.

A person with dementia progressively loses the ability to evaluatehis or her environment. The desire to maintain independence whilemoving freely within one’s environment enhances the chances ofsuffering falls (Rochester et al., 2014). An occupational therapistcan use the client’s cognitive level to determine the extent ofenvironmental adaptation. In this respect, several interventions canbe implemented. For example, the environment can be decluttered tomake it easier for the patient to move without toppling over items.Slipping and tripping hazards must also be eliminated to protect theclient (Bunn et al., 2014). The rooms should be fitted with adequatelighting to compensate for the patient’s poor vision. Grab barsshould be fitted along the pathways to facilitate movement. Itemsthat are frequently used can be placed in the proximity of theclient’s seat (Bunn et al., 2014). Consequently, the risk of fallsand injuries will be minimized.

References

Bunn, F., Dickinson, A., Simpson, C., Narayanan, V., Humphrey, D.,Griffiths, C., … &amp Victor, C. (2014). Preventing falls amongolder people with mental health problems: A systematic review. BMCNursing, 13(1), 4.

Rochester, L., Lord, S., Yarnall, A. J., &amp Burn, D. J. (2014).Falls in Patients with Dementia. In Movement Disorders inDementias (pp. 45-60). London, UK: Springer.