The February Clinical Care theme will target Standard 2 from the Standard & Guidelines for residential Aged Care Services Manual.
Theme: Standard 2.14 – Mobility, Dexterity and Rehabilitation
Expected Outcome: Optimum levels of mobility and dexterity are achieved for all residents.
Mackellar Care Services Ltd Policy: Mobility, Dexterity and Rehabilitation
For your reference: Active Ageing Australia, 2005, Easy Moves for Active Ageing
Nursing & Care staff are asked to be aware of the following points:
- The physiotherapist/allied health professional is responsible for assessing the functional ability of each resident, including respite admissions
- On admission, residents’ medical history should be noted, as many diseases affect ability to mobilise and transfer, e.g. CVA, Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
- Assessment of the resident by a physiotherapist/allied health professional considers mobility, dexterity and requirements for transfer, balance skills, gait, neurological deficits, coordination, cognitive ability, falls risk and medications that may affect mobility.
- Implement all needs of the residents for transfer, mobilisation and rehabilitation as per physio assessment.
- Ensure that daily ROM programs and attendance to group exercise classes are documented and signed off as appropriate.
- Residents provided with aids, devices and an optimal environment, which encourages every possible degree of independence and assists with functional rehabilitation.
- Report and document all falls, slips, trips on accident/incident form and residents’ progress notes.
- Implementation of programs and equipment/devices should be explained to resident and their families to ensure optimal cooperation desired outcomes.
- Educate staff to check that all equipment is kept in good working order, and any faults or needs for repairs must be reported immediately. Damaged or faulty equipment/devices must not be used.
- Identify the complications associated with immobility and implement appropriate preventative measures.
- Pain on movement will also dictate/indicate residents’ willingness to mobilise and pain assessment is therefore relevant.
- When a residents’ needs change, the RN/team leader (Alkira ONLY) should notify the physiotherapist and Care Manager to request a reassessment.
- Ensure residents private physio document in progress notes and inform the RN/team leader (Alkira ONLY) of any changes.
- Information should be provided to residents and career regarding services/equipment available form external providers, e.g. private physiotherapy services.
All residents’ needs relating to mobility, dexterity, transfers and rehabilitation should be noted in the relevant Leecare progress notes.