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Falling and Mobility

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Submitted By uloaku
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Falling and Mobility
Grand Canyon University
NRS 433V
Falling and Mobility
Individuals with stroke are at risk for falls. Patient safety and their general wellbeing in all areas of health care setting is worldwide concern. The major cause of medical hurdle following acute stroke are falls, and it constitutes a significant health concern throughout the post stroke lifetime. Age, chronic disease or sudden disability like stroke puts the elderly people at risk. However, stroke survivors are at greater risk of falling specifically while walking or with activities of daily living. The use of assistive devices such as walker, cane, and wheelchair to increase their function also puts them at risk when not used correctly (Nazarko, 2012). Stroke survivors and their caregivers have several ideas with regards to mobility and fall instances. The experiences of stroke survivors and their caregivers towards fall and mobility is critically analyzed using a qualitative study in this paper (Kelley, 2010).
According the reviewed article falling and Mobility Experience of Stroke Survivors and Spousal caregivers’, the clinical problem leading to this study as identified by the authors is the stroke survivors’ high risk for fall while performing walking or performing activities of daily living. Complete or partial disability as a result stroke has been linked to high risk for fall. The authors noted that limited studies exist about stroke survivors and caregivers issues of falling or general mobility. They also added that when the stroke survivors and caregivers opinions concerning mobility were well comprehended, that there will be a reduced rate of fall while carrying out the activities of daily living. Concurrently, this will reduce fall risk, and avoid additional disability with enhanced prognosis post stroke. The authors showed that balance and gait deficits are the leading cause of falls .Impaired walking ability is the main cause of falling following stroke. About 51% of fall rates reported were amongst individuals with acute or chronic stroke. Similarly, about 78% of stroke survivors stated near fall of which 29% experience several fall.
In addition, stroke survivors with falls are at risk of developing right hemispheric damage as well as depression. However, among those who fall the author revealed that 41% reported injuries that necessitates medical care. Falls may have adverse effects both physiologically and psychosocially. The purpose of the study as recognized by the author was to explore stroke survivors and spousal caregivers’ lived experience about falling and general mobility. The study promotes healthcare providers understanding of the difficulties of falling and mobility in survivors’ stroke. The authors specified the research questions as follow: A, What is the lived experience of falling and general mobility of survivors of stroke and spousal caregivers? B) How do these experiences about falling and mobility change from hospital discharge to 1 year post baseline testing after stroke. C), how many stroke survivors report falling or sustained a fall related adverse event during I year study period. This is directly related to the purpose of the study and the clinical problems addressed.
Qualitative approach method was used to study the experience, concerns, and opinions of the stroke survivors and their spouses. The loss of strength is relatively sudden according the survivors of stroke (Lake, 2010).The first research questions with regards to the stated perspectives about falling and overall mobility of stroke survivors and spousal caregivers developed from qualitative data analysis through small general and semi structured dialogues. The stroke survivors conveyed great apprehension over their loss of independence. .They commented on the assurance they have in their spouses on their ability to deliver care and encouragement needed to deal with their situation. They also showed concern on the difficulties their spouses had to deal with in providing care to them.
Thee quantitative and qualitative studies relevant to the focus of the study was not stated by the author .General approach of qualitative care were used in the study. More so the scripts first numerical data composed not of a particular observable value. The art of written works by the authors was sourced from different medical fields. The references are recent where as other references dated 1991 and 2002 were included in the study. The authors pointed out weakness from the preexisting data.
More so, the participants asked questions which were more encompassing. The work composed of complete knowledge in accordance with laid down established principles. The literature review comprised of sufficient evidence. The writer established that greater attention would have increased the greater consideration to the care of stroke survivors. This study was established from the perspective of stroke survivors and caregivers. The grounded theoretical method was used by the researcher. The writer employed diagram representing responses concerning the study question.
Recognizing physical, clinical, and social factors that affects stroke survivors to falls may decrease added disability and life threatening complications and improve overall value of life.
In conclusion, falling and general mobility are major problems of stroke survivors and their spousal care givers, as more than half of stroke survivors do fall at least once following stroke. This work assists healthcare workers to develop better awareness into stroke survivors and spousal experience following hospital discharge. Secondly, caregivers are better equipped with various ways of preventing potential problems such as falling and its prevention while performing the activities of daily living with keep stepping and keep trying attitude and continued hope for physical and cognitive recovery. References Kelley, C. P. (2010). Falling and Mobility Experience of Stroke Survivors and Spousal Caregivers. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 28(3), 235-247.
Lake, E. S. (2010). Patient Falls: Association with Hospital Magnet Status and Nursing Unit Staffing. Research in Nursing & Health, 33, 413-425.
Nazarko, L. (2012). Falls: Environmental Risk Factors. British Journal of Health Assistants, 6(3), 111-115.

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