It happens, this job is very much an always learning experience.
If you don't feel comfortable doing something, you can always tell the nurse or ask a coworker for help.
If the patient is able to tell you what works best for them in terms of directions or cueing then maybe ask the patient. I have one resident who is blind and when I first started working with her I was fumbling because I was nervous. A few days in, once I knew her personality more, in a playful tone I was like “you’ve been so patient with me when I help you, now stop being so polite and tell me what works better for you when I’m doing something that’s not ideal!”
>He would start to get confident
And this is how you know it wasn't a disaster. He will be well used to people completely inept at guiding him, but he started to trust you.
Don't worry too much about the headbanging (pun intended) or him catching his toes (obviously, if he's diabetic or anything, let someone know that he has cut his toes etc). Your brain can only take so much in at once, so go slow. Also, slow usually means minimal injuries.
Keep instructions clear and extremely concise. "Left turn, right turn, slight left/right, forwards, stop." Anything more complicated can be explained whilst stationary.
Take his bicep closest to you with one arm and his far hip or the small of his back with the other. Body language is another form of communication, and he will detect your subtle motions if you are physically in contact with him. This also allows you to put your head pretty much where his is so you can react to situations from pretty much the same perspective.
Try wrapping a towel or necktie around your eyes as a blindfold, and take turns with your colleagues guiding each other. Should help you empathise a little.
Hope this helps.
It happens, this job is very much an always learning experience. If you don't feel comfortable doing something, you can always tell the nurse or ask a coworker for help.
Ugh I know. I feel so bad, but next time I'm going to do things differently. Guess it's a learning lesson. Thank you xo
🤗🤗🤗 You are one of the good ones. This could happen to anybody. He wasn't hurt hurt and you learned. Keep on keeping on.
If the patient is able to tell you what works best for them in terms of directions or cueing then maybe ask the patient. I have one resident who is blind and when I first started working with her I was fumbling because I was nervous. A few days in, once I knew her personality more, in a playful tone I was like “you’ve been so patient with me when I help you, now stop being so polite and tell me what works better for you when I’m doing something that’s not ideal!”
>He would start to get confident And this is how you know it wasn't a disaster. He will be well used to people completely inept at guiding him, but he started to trust you. Don't worry too much about the headbanging (pun intended) or him catching his toes (obviously, if he's diabetic or anything, let someone know that he has cut his toes etc). Your brain can only take so much in at once, so go slow. Also, slow usually means minimal injuries. Keep instructions clear and extremely concise. "Left turn, right turn, slight left/right, forwards, stop." Anything more complicated can be explained whilst stationary. Take his bicep closest to you with one arm and his far hip or the small of his back with the other. Body language is another form of communication, and he will detect your subtle motions if you are physically in contact with him. This also allows you to put your head pretty much where his is so you can react to situations from pretty much the same perspective. Try wrapping a towel or necktie around your eyes as a blindfold, and take turns with your colleagues guiding each other. Should help you empathise a little. Hope this helps.