{"id":34,"date":"2017-09-13T19:32:39","date_gmt":"2017-09-13T19:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-home-health-aide\/chapter\/working-with-people-with-physical-disabilities\/"},"modified":"2017-10-02T19:16:36","modified_gmt":"2017-10-02T19:16:36","slug":"working-with-people-with-physical-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-home-health-aide\/chapter\/working-with-people-with-physical-disabilities\/","title":{"raw":"Working with People with Physical Disabilities","rendered":"Working with People with Physical Disabilities"},"content":{"raw":"
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Introduction<\/h1>\r\nThis module explores what a physical disability<\/a> is. We begin by defining physical disability and discussing some of the causes of physical disabilities. Then, we examine how a physical disability is different from a developmental disability and the special adaptations people with physical disabilities may need to make. We will explore the impact of a physical disability on a person\u2019s life, taking a closer look at the special stressors<\/a> a person with a physical disability may have. Finally, we will discuss how the Home Health Aide\/Personal Care Aide can best work with a person with a physical disability.\r\n

Unit A: What Is Physical Disability?<\/h1>\r\n

What Is a Physical Disability?<\/h2>\r\nA physical<\/b> <\/b>disability<\/b><\/a> is a disability that impacts a person\u2019s ability to perform physical tasks or function in a physical way. A physical disability may or may not be developmentally related. Some developmental disabilities that we discussed in Module 6 may result in physical disability. For example, cerebral palsy<\/a> is a developmental disorder in which someone has a physical disability. They have difficulty with motor coordination and use of their muscles<\/a>. Other physical disabilities are the result of diseases, accidents, or traumatic injuries.\r\n

Causes of Physical Disabilities<\/h2>\r\nAn injury<\/b><\/a>-<\/b>related<\/b> <\/b>disability<\/b><\/a> is one that is caused from an accident, injury, or trauma. For example, motor vehicle accidents can result in a spinal cord injury and cause paraplegia<\/b> (loss of function of the lower body or legs) or quadriplegia<\/b> <\/b>(loss of the ability to use both the upper and lower part of the body or limbs). A person may also lose a limb due to an accident or as a result of a disease process. For example, due to impaired circulation, a person who has diabetes may have a foot or leg amputated<\/a><\/b> (removal of a limb). Diseases that are progressive<\/b> (become worse) can also result in a person having a physical disability. For example, muscular<\/b> <\/b>dystrophy<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>MD<\/b>)<\/b> is a progressive muscular disease that is inherited and which may become obvious at birth or later in life. People with MD have a gradual wasting away of their muscles<\/a> and have difficulty with physically moving due to muscle twitching, stiffness, or atrophy<\/a><\/b> (wasting away of muscle).\r\n\r\nMusculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis can make a person become disabled. Arthritis<\/a><\/b> means inflammation of the joints<\/a>. A person with arthritis has stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility. Osteoarthritis<\/b>, a common type of arthritis which mainly affects the elderly, occurs when there is a degeneration of the joints. It can make walking and use of one\u2019s hands difficult. Rheumatoid<\/b> <\/b>arthritis<\/b><\/a> is a type of arthritis that can affect people of all ages and often progresses to the point where mobility is greatly impacted. Diseases that occur suddenly and unexpectedly such as a cerebrovascular<\/b> <\/b>accident<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>CVA<\/b>)<\/b> or stroke<\/a><\/b> can also cause physical disability<\/a>. A cerebrovascular accident is when the blood and oxygen supply to the brain is impacted either due to a blocked artery or hemorrhage in the brain. Some people who suffer from a stroke<\/a> may become unable to use their hands, feet, to dress or feed themselves, or even to speak.\r\n

Self-Check Activity m7-1<\/a><\/b><\/h1>\r\n
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<\/a>Self-Check Activity M7-1<\/h3>\r\n1. Which of the following are some possible causes of physical disability?\r\n\r\na). Fractured arm\r\n\r\nb). Spinal cord injury\r\n\r\nc). Muscular dystrophy\r\n\r\nd). Motor vehicle accident\r\n\r\ne). Arthritis\r\n\r\nf). Stroke\r\n\r\ng). War-related injury\r\n\r\nh). Brain injury\r\n\r\ni). Cerebral palsy\r\n\r\nj). Work-related injury\r\n\r\nk). Developmental disabilities\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"128708\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"128708\"]1. All of these choices are possible causes of physical disability.\r\n\r\nFEEDBACK: Physical disabilities may be congenital, as a result of an injury such as a motor vehicle or war injury, or may be as a result of a disease.[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Permanent versus Temporary Disabilities<\/h2>\r\nWhile many of these types of physical disabilities are permanent, there are also temporary disabilities. A permanent<\/b> <\/b>disability<\/b><\/a> is one a person will have for their entire lives. A temporary<\/b> <\/b>disability<\/b> is one a person will have for only a short period of time. A person who suffered a stroke<\/a> may only lose the ability to physically function for a short period of time. With rehabilitation, the person may regain their full or nearly normal ability to function. Another example of a temporary disability would be someone who has had a joint replacement surgery on their hip or knee. A person who has suffered a fractured (broken) limb such as an arm, leg, or pelvis also has a physical disability, but it is temporary. After the period of healing and rehabilitation, people with these types of physical disabilities will likely go on to return to their normal or near normal physical functioning.\r\n
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<\/a>Self-Check Activity M7-2<\/h3>\r\nMultiple Choice:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhich of the following is an example of a temporary disability?\r\n\r\na). Cerebral palsy\r\n\r\nb). Muscular Dystrophy\r\n\r\nc). A fracture of the foot\r\n\r\nd). An amputated arm\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"302748\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"302748\"]1. C\r\n\r\nFEEDBACK: A temporary disability is one that a person will have for only a short time. Fracturing (breaking) an arm or leg is an example of a temporary disability. Cerebral palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and amputations are permanent disabilities that a person will have for their lifetime.[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Unique Attributes of Physical Disabilities<\/h2>\r\nA diagnosis of a physical disability<\/a> is highly individual and unique. Depending on the type and cause of the physical disability, a person may be impacted in different ways. No two people with the same physical disability will necessarily have the same impairments of functioning. While some people may have difficulties with performing activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing and toileting, other people may be able to perform these tasks independently, but may be unable to walk or move normally.\r\n\r\nA person with a physical disability<\/a> may need to use adaptive equipment<\/a> to help them get around. Some types of equipment a person with a physical disability may use are wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. For people who have lost a limb, they may have a prosthetic device, such as a leg or arm.A prosthetic<\/b> <\/b>device<\/b> is a specially made and fitted artificial limb or body part. Prosthetic devices are used to help a person improve their appearance and ability to function (Leahy, Fuze & Grafe, 2013).\r\n\r\nSome people may use adaptive<\/b> <\/b>equipment<\/b><\/a> such as special shoes or boots to help them with mobility. People with vision<\/a> or hearing disorders may use equipment such as glasses, hearing aids, walking canes for the visually impaired or even use guide dogs. The use of adaptive equipment<\/a> such as special plates, cups, eating and writing utensils, and special furniture and supplies can help a person with a physical impairment become independent. Other members of the home health care team such as a Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist can be very helpful in helping the patient and the HHA\/PCA learn about and how to use special adaptive equipment<\/a>. It is important to remember that every person is unique and will have different impairments of functioning, as well as abilities to adapt to their impairments.\r\n\r\nIt is also important to remember that adaptive equipment<\/a> such as a wheelchair is a part of the person\u2019s physical space (Johns Hopkins University, n.d.). The HHA\/PCA should always ask permission before touching or moving a person\u2019s wheelchair. They should take care to not lean on, touch, or push the wheelchair without permission (Johns Hopkins University, n.d.). The HHA\/PCA should ensure that others also respect the patient\u2019s physical space.\r\n
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<\/a>Self-Check Activity M7-3<\/h3>\r\n1. Which of the following is an example of a prosthetic device?\r\n\r\na). Wheelchair\r\n\r\nb). Walker\r\n\r\nc). Artificial limb\r\n\r\nd). Cane\r\n\r\n2. Which of the following is adaptive equipment a person with a physical disability may use to be as independent as possible?\r\n