Question

Mr. Ross lives at home with his wife. He has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his wishes are to die at home. You have been assigned to assist Mr Ross with ADL's. On arrival to his home, Mr Ross is lying in bed and looks very uncomfortable. A bottle of Tylenol (acetaminophen) is on the bedside table. Mrs Ross is visibly upset and starts to cry. She says her husband smells and needs to be changed. As the PSW what do you do in this situation?

1. Highlight safety measures to consider in a home setting related to providing assistance with ADLs.

2. List the considerations and steps you would take to assist Mr and Mrs Ross.

3. Identify what supports may be beneficial to support this family.

4. What would you document in this situation?

Answer 1

1.The safety measures which has to be done in the home for to provide assistancr with ADL are

• Ensure the patient is provided with a commode and urinal to meet his elimination pattern
• The patient has assistive devices to walk
• There is an importance of good lighting to prevent falls
• The flood should be skid proof
• Remove medications are out of patient's reach and labelled properly for it's indication

2.The considerations and steps which are needed to assist them are

• Provide psychological support
• Educate Ms.Ross regarding simple techniques for mobilising patient immense out of bed
• Ensure the patient is cleaned and provided an hygienic environment

3.The support which is required at this point is to assist the patient with activities of daily living especially cleaning the soiled linens, clothing, etc., and making the patient clean and comfortable

The patient may require the assistance of a care giver ,nursing aide or a PSW on daily basis at this time

4.The following things has to be documented

• The status of the patient
• The observation made on the patient
• Any abnormalities observed while changing the clothing