Question

I have a patient who is blind and uses a stick. He has an unsteady gait. Is there a device that can do both tasks: feel objects AND provide support?

Put "curb feelers" on a walker. You know, the spring antenna looking things on old caddys. If you put them low enough on the walker they would hit objects on the floor.

did you consult with PT and OT as to what products are around?

Thanks. I did, and they suggested a walker. The curb feelers idea was one they got a kick out of! Maybe hang furry dice off the thing too!

A few racing strips, bumper sticker and furry dice, man we are set to roll!

Does your patient live alone? I would think if his gait is unsteady, he should probably use a walker, but also have someone there with him. They would be his eyes...

Wanna story?
I have an outpatient who comes in once a week for an injection. She is blind... totally. So, of course, she has to get a ride to the hospital. She gets a ride to the hospital with her friend. Her friend doesn't walk very well, so after parking the car... the friend gets her wheelchair out of the car, and lets my blind outpatient push her into the hospital.

What a sight!

when I did home health I had a 107 yr old pt, her 80+ yr old daughter was also my pt and their main caregiver was the 60+ blind grandaughter who was diabetic. They did take the cane away from the 107 yr old (took it when she was about 102 because she'd trip the blind grandaughter with it so she'd have to use the furniture to walk with..there was plenty to hold to with just a path through the house. The grandaughter was diabetic also and had a talking glucose monitor.

Geez, talk about the blind leading the blind.

Unfortunately that is what it comes down to in some households.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com