If a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury and requires medical assistance, consider the benefits of hiring a special needs at-home care provider. While some spinal cord injury patients are able to maintain their independence, others are profoundly disabled. Here are some special needs interventions an at-home care provider can offer to spinal cord injury patients.
ROM Exercises
Spinal cord injury patients can develop painful muscle spasms that can interfere with the person's quality of life. The special needs at-home care provider can assist the person with range of motion (ROM) exercises to help improve flexibility and reduce pain. If the patient is unable to move their limbs as a result of paralysis, then the caregiver will intervene with passive range of motion exercises, also known as PROMs.
During a PROM session, the caregiver actually manually moves the patient's arms and legs without any assistance from the person. This is why it is called the passive range of motion. Limb movement can help prevent pain and stiffness caused by muscle spasticity and may help prevent disfiguring contractions of the limbs.
Hygiene Assistance
The at-home care provider can also help the special needs patient with their hygiene needs such as bathing and oral care. People who are bedbound or who have mobility problems as a result of spinal cord injuries are at risk for skin breakdown especially if the person is incontinent of urine and stool. If the skin is not quickly cleaned after an incontinent episode, it will start to break down, causing decubitus ulcers.
During incontinent care, the special needs at-home care provider can also massage the skin to boost circulation, while monitoring the patient's skin condition for any signs of breakdown, inflammation, bleeding, or bruises. If any dermal abnormalities are found, the caregiver will notify you, the family member, or call the patient's physician.
Spinal cord injury patients may also be unable to brush and floss their teeth and if oral hygiene is neglected, the risk for gum disease and cavities increases. The patient's medications may also play a role in developing oral problems because certain drugs such as muscle relaxers and pain medications can cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk for gingivitis and dental decay.
If your loved one has a spinal cord injury and needs assistance, consider hiring a special needs at-home care provider. When the patient feels as though their needs are being met, they may cope better with their diagnosis and limitations
Learn more about special needs at-home care services.
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