| Knowledge |
Action |
| One simple test to check gait and function is the “Get Up and Go test” The patient is observed standing up from a straight backed chair without using his arms, walking 10 feet, turning around, and returning to his original sitting position in the chair. |
- Do the “Get Up and Go test”
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| TA simple maneuver to check balance is called “functional reach”. This test is done with a leveled yardstick secured to a wall at the height of the acromion. The patient stands with shoulders perpendicular to the yardstick. The patient makes a fist and extends the arm forward as far as possible along the wall without loosing balance. If the patient cannot reach at least 6 inches it indicates poor balance and increased risk of falling. |
- Check balance with the “functional reach”
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| Patients that have problems with balance and gait are at risk of falls and may benefit from an exercise program. In the acute setting, refer the patient to PT, or kinesiotherapy (KT), for balance and gait training, and recommendations for the most appropriate assistive devices, such as walker, cane etc. When the patient is ready to be discharged, he can be referred to home health to continue PT and OT if he/she is home bound. |
- Refer to PT for balance, gait training, and recommendations for assistive devices
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