Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Chris. R.
A question has been posed to me reference, should carer's ensure all wheelchair users are "strapped in" prior to being pushed about.
The question has come about due to one of the areas that is used having several hills that can cause the user to be forced forward.
We have been through the process of carrying out risk assessments on the individual wheelchair users. The point is that the carers are concerned about their legal position if one of these users was to fall from their wheelchair.
There is also the case of are we securing them in for their safety or are we restraining them(which is what some of the older clients say)? Emotive subject that is causing some of the carers great concern.
These carers are a special breed of people who spend all their time worrying about the client, giving very little regard to themselves.
If anyone knows of any information/documentation on this subject that I could research it would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Phillipe
I suppose it would depend upon the type of disability would it not. Someone who was constantly "moving about" in their chair may be more susceptible to falling I would imagine rather than someone who is not, hence the requirement being strapped in for their own safety
The type of gradient also would have to be considered. Interesting topic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mark Talbot
If the person in the wheelchair is able to make the decision themselves, why not get the carer to explain the risks and leave them to decide as individuals?
If they are not capable of making an informed decision, the process should be referred to the person's legal gardian in the same way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Merv Newman
We have a very good friend who only has limited use of her right arm. She straps herself in when leaving the house. We have carried her up and down steps a number of times (she prefers to face downhill but with a strong backwards tilt)
My wife spent some time in a wheelchair last year, we even visited the eden project, but the question of strapping her in never came up.
I think "case-by-case". decision will depend on expected gradients and upper-body/arm strength of the person. Should be discussed and offered but not imposed.
You can always go down backwards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Saracen11
Hi Chris, I’d go with Mark on this one.
In my experience, anyone being mobilised outside of their home environment should make full and proper use of a wheelchair-securing strap (restraint) either by doing it himself or herself or by relying on a professional carer to do it for them.
There are folk in this world that will argue this is restraint, but would you give the dependant person a lift to the shops in your car without making sure they wore seatbelt? Of course not! Although the severity of injury is different from falling/being tipped from a wheelchair, the reasons for ensuring the safety of the individual isn’t.
Hope this helps.
Regards
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By J Knight
Hi Folks,
I'd go further than Mark. If the person in the chair is competent to make risk decisions then they absolutely can and must make the choice themselves. Competence can only be determined by a clinician, and there is a presumption in law that a person is competent unless a psychiatrist has determined otherwise. You can reassure your staff that the consequences of somebody else's risk decision about risks to themselves alone won't lodge with them,
John
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.