U54 - provide support for mobility PDF

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Unit 54: Provide Support for Mobility 1. Understand the importance of mobility 1.1 Define mobility Mobility is the ability to move or be moved freely and easily. Mobility means the movement of individuals from a one place or position to another, ensuring that their independence is maintained e.g. moving from a wheelchair to a bed or transferring from the bed to a chair as well as bed mobility – changing positions from one to another.

1.2 Explain how different health conditions may affect and be affected by mobility Strokes, fractures and dislocations, muscle weakness due to deconditioning or stiffness due to arthritis may make mobility more difficult. Person with a stroke may have their balance affected and be at risk of falls. Also, stroke sufferers experience a partial paralysis on one side of the body which affects their mobility and independence. Hemiparesis on one side of the body can affect person’s ability to eat/drink independently as they can’t hold cutlery properly, or to dress up do buttons ect. A fracture of a bone usually requires a period when person is not allowed to put weight on the broken limb. Pain, positioning of the cast on the affected part of the body may affect their mobility. With fractured upper limbs, individual may have problems with holding cutlery or being able to eat as the pain reduces their ability to move affected arm. Elderly patients are at more risks of infections which may prolong the recovery time. Osteoarthritis results in stiff, painful, swollen and inflamed joints and can greatly restrict movement of the joint and person’s mobility.

1.3 Outline the effects that reduced mobility may have on an individual’s well-being Reduced mobility can affect an individual’s wellbeing in several ways. Physical wellbeing: reduced mobility can result in muscles weakness, deconditioning, stiffness of the joints, swelling in the ankles and feet, blood clots (DVT). Individuals with reduced mobility are at the high risk of developing pressure sores - these can be very painful for the individual. Emotional wellbeing an individual may feel angry and low in mood due to independence loss. This can lead to depression when individual is unable to see a quick improvement and is forced to be dependent on other people with the simplest activities. Reduced mobility can alienate individual socially if they are unable to go out. Reduced mobility could mean losing the touch with friends and being unable to social events (if they are in a place i.e. wheelchair inaccessible).

1.4 Describe the benefits of maintaining and improving mobility Maintaining and improving mobility can improve muscular strength and physical health, can allow greater independence as it becomes less necessary to rely on others. By improving mobility person has a chance to increase quality of life and self-esteem, socialise with friends, and have more opportunities to attend interesting events and gatherings.

NVQ2 – Unit 54 – Understand Health and Safety in Social Care - 06/05/2021

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2. Be able to prepare for mobility activities 2.1 Agree mobility activities with the individual and others Agree mobility activities help identify the best and safest way for the individuals to keep mobile. Health care professionals are assessing persons needs during the initial visit (interview), and together with the person and the family members are able to create personalised cantered care plan defining the goals to be achieved and listing what kind of activities will be necessary, how staff and the family will be able to support the individuals during prescribed activities and instructing how to monitor the activities and the individual’s mobility progress over time. Agreement – care plan can includes other persons like physiotherapist or an occupational therapist, support workers, carers who can carry out exercises with the individual or the person can be offered group activities.

2.2 Remove or minimise hazards in the environment before beginning a mobility activity It is imperative to carry out a risk assessment of the environment before the beginning of a mobility activity. This is to ensure the health and safety of the individual and ourselves and prevent any accidents or injuries that could happen. We need to carry out a risk assessment in relation to both the activity and the individual. In the risk assessment, we need to focus on the environment – whether the surroundings are safe and free of trip hazard (i.e. carpets on the floor, slippery floors, wires, lose steps, faulty rails). We need to look at the equipment needed, numbers of carers required to assist the person. We need to check the equipment if is not faulty and in good working condition and the aids are being used properly and have been individually ordered and measured per persons’ size. It is also very important to risk assess persons mental state (if the person is aggressive due to frustration, depressed and at risk to themselves) and if the person has capacity to make decisions (important when following or declining to follow the instructions and putting their wellbeing at risk).

2.3 Check the suitability of an individual’s clothing and footwear for safety and mobility The individual should be wearing comfortable, easy wear clothing to allow for mobility and unrestricted movement. Shoes should be comfortable, well fitted and firm and offer good support and with non-slip soles. The correct type of clothing is also important to ensure individual's dignity when moving and handling or practicing transfers.

2.4 Check the safety and cleanliness of mobility equipment and appliances

NVQ2 – Unit 54 – Understand Health and Safety in Social Care - 06/05/2021

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Any equipment used should be checked to ensure it is functional, safe and clean before use. Any walking aids should be measured and be the correct size for the individual. Any equipment to be used by the person or the family should be ordered / recommended by a health care professional such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Individual and the family or carers should be demonstrated of how to use the equipment by the HCP in order to use the equipment/ aid correctly and in a safe way.

3. Be able to support individuals to keep mobile 3.1 Promote the active participation of the individual during a mobility activity Active participation is an approach that enables individuals to be included in their care and have a greater say in how they live their life in ways that matter to them. The individual is regarded as an active partner in their own care or support, rather than a passive recipient. It empowers individuals to in their activities leading them to live as independent as possible. The benefits of active participation can be divided into primary benefits (i.e. physical benefits including increase in activity level, increased independence, increase in self-confidence, self-esteem and general well-being) and secondary benefits (decreasing the likelihood of abuse and vulnerability).

3.2 Assist an individual to use mobility appliances correctly and safely Assist an individual to use mobility appliances correctly and in a safe way is important to encourage active participation of the individual during a mobility exercise through encouragement and support. Provide positive encouragement and the advice to individuals. Correct their technique when needed in a sensitive manner. Reinforce persons’ independence by carrying out the activities with the person not for the patient. Provide support as per provided care plan. 3.3 Give feedback and encouragement to the individual during mobility activities Encourage and support an individual during mobility activities. This will help to build the trust, will increase their confidence and improve the way the individual carries out the activity. Supporting staff must ensure that the mobility activities or exercises do not cause any pain or discomfort and are not too difficult for the individual as this might make them reluctant to participate. It is important to communicate any concerns regarding pain level or ability to carry out specific exercises to the leading HCP or line manager.

4. Be able to observe, record and report on activities to support mobility

4.1 Observe an individual to monitor changes and responses during a mobility activity Health care workers are in a privileged position to be able to observe and monitor changes and responses to an individual's mobility activity. Observations are vital when planning the care an individual need. If a staff observes any difficulties or improvements in persons mobility this

NVQ2 – Unit 54 – Understand Health and Safety in Social Care - 06/05/2021

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should be reported, recorded and discussed with the leading HCP. We need to use the same principle if an individual complains of pain or suffers the loss of confidence. 4.2 Record observations of mobility activity All the observations and activities must be recorded adequately and in appropriate language. We need to carry out an exercise program exactly as specified in the care plan and record /report the outcomes and any problems at each step. We need to take a note of the strength, alertness, general level of fitness, mental state, wellbeing, increased/decreased level of mobility and the number of the repetition person was able to carry out. We also need to document any conversation or concerns voiced by the individual or members of the family. Sharing the information / outcome is essential as the HCP i.e. physiotherapist or OT will need to review what progress the individual is making, so that the exercise programmed can be adjusted as if needed. 4.3 Report on progress and/or problems relating to the mobility activity including: Choice of activities – patient might have a type of the exercise or mobility practice they enjoy or dislike more than others. This should be handed over and recorded in patient notes so other health care professionals are aware of this. Any change to person’s mobility – decrease of increase – must be reported to the person in charge, so the care plan can be adjusted according to the persons’ current needs. Care plan must be tailored around person’s needs, likes and dislikes. Equipment and appliances - items provided by HCP to assist an individual’s mobility and independence. This includes walking sticks, crutches, quadrupeds and walking frames, transfer boards, wheelchairs, mobility scooters etc. It is important to monitor and regularly check how an individual is progressing when using any type of mobility appliance or equipment. If their mobility changes so might the aid they need for support. If an individual has been using mobility equipment or appliance for support, whilst recovering from an injury or illness, it is important to encourage them to slowly try managing without it, before they become too dependent on it. If we feel an individual is not managing to use an appliance or piece of equipment correctly or safely, we should report this immediately. The support provided – we need to immediately report any problems in relation to the support provided. As HCP carrying out the prescribed home exercises program or running the groups, we are able to observe whether the support is inadequate or excessive. I.e. the patient is discharged home from the hospital with the rotastand for transfers and assistance of two carers to move the aid. However according to our observations and assessment individual has a potential and ability to safely transfer with the rollator frame and an assistance of 1 carer, as from the time in the hospital to the present day person was able to progress and increase strength and mobility. We should always report accurately any observations we make regarding an individual’s support needs.

NVQ2 – Unit 54 – Understand Health and Safety in Social Care - 06/05/2021...