ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Please be reminded to still follow:

1. Reading the patient’s chart for doctor’s order.
2. Handwashing.
3. Preparing equipment needed.
4. After care.
Ambulating with a Walker

Safety considerations:
- Complete assessment for safer patient handling such as ROM, contractures, muscle strength, etc.
- Ensure proper fitting footwear is used.
- Rubber tips should be in place to prevent the device from slipping.
- Remove any clutter and make sure room is well lit.

1. Ensure proper footwear is on patient and let the patient know how far you will be ambulating.
2. Proper footwear is non-slip or slip-resistant footwear.
3. If in acute care, check physicians order for any activity restrictions related to treatment or surgical
procedures.
4. Measure patient for walker height.
5. Explain and demonstrate how to walk with a walker.
6. From a sitting position, instruct patient to push up from the chair’s armrest to a standing position.
7. Firmly grip both sides of the walker.
8. Lift the walker place it forward about 6 inches then step ahead with the injured or weak leg, taking
the weight through both hands then followed by the stronger leg. Repeat until the desired distance is
covered.
9. To turn, advise the patient to take small steps while also moving the walker and turning to the
stronger side.

Ambulating with Crutches

Safety considerations:
- Complete assessment for safer patient handling such as ROM, contractures, muscle strength, etc.
- Ensure proper fitting footwear is used.
- Rubber tips should be in place to prevent the device from slipping.
- Remove any clutter and make sure room is well lit.

1. Ensure proper footwear is on the patient, and let the patient know how far you will be ambulating.
Proper footwear is non-slip or slip-resistant footwear. If in acute care, check physician’s orders for any
activity restrictions related to treatment or surgical procedures.
2. Ensure crutch height is correct.
3. Explaina dn demosntrate how to walk with crutches.
4. From a sitting position, advise patient to push up from the chair’s armrest to a standing position.
Stand to gain balance. Advise the patient to not lean on the underarm supports.
5. Advise patient accordingly:

Ambulation method #1: 3 Point gait

- Establish balance.
- Move both crutches forward slightly.
- Move injured leg forward.
- Push down on the crutch hand grips.
- Step the good leg forward.
- Ensure balance is maintained.
- Repeat.

Ambulation method #2: 2 Point gait

- Establish balance.
- Move the crutches and the injured leg forward simultaneously.
- Push down on the crutch hand grips.
- Step through the crutches with the good leg.
- Ensure balance is maintained.
- Repeat.

Ambulation method #3: Swing through

- Establish balance.
- Move both crutches forward simultaneously.
- Lift both legs and swing beyond the level of crutches.
- Repeat.

Ambulation method #4: 4 Point gait.

- Establish balance.
- Ask the patient to move right crutch forward followed by the left leg.
- Then move left crutch forward followed by the right leg.
- Repeat.

Ascending stairs:
- Stand close to and facing the bottom step.
- Step up with the strong leg.
- Ensure balance is maintained.
- Move both crutches up the step while the the weight is on both hand grips and strong leg.
- Move the weak leg/injured leg onto the step.
- Repeat.

Descending stairs:
- Stand close to and facing the bottom step.
- Move both crutches down the step keeping weight on the hand grips.
- Step down with the weak/injured leg.
- Ensure balance is maintained.
- Step down with the good/strong leg.
- Repeat.
 Ambulating with Cane

Safety considerations:
- Complete assessment for safer patient handling such as ROM, contractures, muscle strength, etc.
- Ensure proper fitting footwear is used.
- Rubber tips should be in place to prevent the device from slipping.
- Remove any clutter and make sure room is well lit.

1. Let patient know how far you plan to ambulate.

2. Ensure cane height is correct.
3. Explain and demonstrate how to walk cane.
4. Encourage patient to get to a standing position.
5. Advice patient to move the cane forward about 6 inches anterior and 6 inches lateral holding the
cane on the stronger side.
6. Ask the patient to step with the injured leg while putting the weight onto the cane handle then step
the stronger leg.

Ascending the stairs using cane:

- Stand close to and facing the bottom step up.
- Step up with the strong leg.
- Ensure balance is maintained.
- Step up with the injured leg.
- Bring cane up.
- Repeat.

Descending stairs using cane:

- Stand close to the top step and face the stairs.
- Place cane down onto the next step.
- Step down with injured leg.
- Ensure balance is maintained.
- Step down with good leg.
- Repeat.