Working with a Non-Mobile Patient

Working with a Non-Mobile Patient Depending on a patient's size, it can be a very big challenge to work with a patient that is unable to walk or gain proper mobility, such as moving themselves in bed. You may have to roll the patient to change bed linens or to tend to hygiene needs, which can be very difficult physically. In addition, you must have a level of concern regarding the patient's skin, and the high possibility of skin breakdown. For very heavy patients, you should consider using a lift to assist with moving the patient. Encourage bedridden patients to lie on their sides multiple times per day in order to give the back and buttocks a rest.

Dangers of Immobility The human body is not meant to be stationary. When someone is in bed 24/7, there are several things you must consider, and keep a watch out for. 

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Skin breakdown is a common condition with bedridden patients, the individual is in bed at all times, and the skin has continuous pressure on it at all times. This can create a literal breaking down of the skin, it may tear and create wounds. Skin is left fragile, and sore. The optimal way to avoid skin breakdown is to have the patient be mobile.

Many patients resist physical therapy, or physical activities, due to the fact that it's uncomfortable. It's difficult to look forward to doing physical exercise when there is the anticipation of pain. The patient should be reminded, that for numerous reasons, the physical therapy is essential.

Bed sores are another concern. Bed sores can develop, and often do, because of the continuous pressure on the skin, mainly in the same area can often create sores that go inward on the skin, instead of remaining on the surface. This can create severe infections that are difficult to cure. Encourage your patient to be mobile, however, if they are not mobile, make sure they turn often to allow skin to breath. It may take propping pillows behind them in order to help keep them on their side, whatever works to give body parts a break from the pressure. If the patient is very large, you may find a lift beneficial to use for turning purposes.

Blood clots can be very dangerous, and in fact deadly. Blood clots are a hazard of lying in bed and not moving legs regularly. Most physicians will order medication to prevent blood clots, and may also prescribe blood thinners to ensure clots do not develop.

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Reasons for Lack of Mobility There are a variety of reasons that a patient may not be mobile. The after effects of a surgical procedure can make walking, standing, or even sitting up painful. Older patients may simply be tired, and not have the ambition to consider rehabilitation therapy. Continue to encourage the patient to walk, stand, and sit. If the patient is opposed to walking, sitting in a chair with feet on the floor can help keep joints and muscles flexible, and can help prevent blood clots as well.

Pneumonia The longer the patient lies in the bed, the worse it is for their breathing.

Have the patient use the breathing device to measure their breaths. This will develop good breaking techniques, and possibly become a habit. If the patient is not mobile, at least work to have them sit on the edge of the bed with legs hanging down.

Patients that lack the ambition to move may need strong encouragement to become mobile. Many insurers, including Medicare will deny payments after a time unless the patient shows regular improvement. If no progress is being made, the patient may need to be transferred to a long term care facility. This sometimes motivates patients to begin physical therapy, it's difficult for a bedridden patient to be cared for at home. It can be a burden on loved ones, and difficult to secure home health care.

The fact is, the body should be mobile to some extent, regardless of condition. It may mean medical staff turning and repositioning the patient on a regular basis, however, it is essential for the patient's health. If the patient will be returning home to family members, be sure they are properly trained to offer necessary supports. A hospital social worker should be able to provide assistance in securing home health care if deemed appropriate.

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on a patient's size, it can be a very big challenge to work with a patient that is unable to walk or gain proper mobility, such as moving themselves in bed.

You may have to roll the patient to change bed linens or to tend to hygiene needs, which can be very hard physically. In addition, you must have a level of concern regarding the patient's skin, and the high possibility of skin breakdown. For very heavy patients, you should consider using a lift to assist with moving the patient. Encourage bedridden patients to lie on their sides multiple times per day in order to give the back and buttocks a rest.

Dangers of Immobility The human body is not meant to be stationary. When someone is in bed 24/7, there are several things you must consider, and keep a watch out for. 





Skin breakdown is a common condition with bedridden patients, the individual is in bed at all times, and the skin has continuous pressure on it at all times. This can create a literal breaking down of the skin, it may tear and create wounds. Skin is left fragile, and sore. The optimal way to avoid skin breakdown is to have the patient be mobile.

Many patients resist physical therapy, or physical activities, due to the fact that it's uncomfortable. It's difficult to look forward to doing physical exercise when there is the anticipation of pain. The patient should be reminded, that for numerous reasons, the physical therapy is essential.

Bed sores are another concern. Bed sores can develop, and often, due to the continuous pressure on the skin, mainly in the same area can often create sores that go inward on the skin, instead of remaining on the surface. This can create severe infections that are difficult to cure.

Encourage your patient to be mobile, however, if they are not mobile, make sure they turn often to allow skin to breath. It may take propping pillows behind them in order to help keep them on their side, whatever works to give body parts a break from the pressure. If the patient is very large, you may find a lift beneficial to use for turning purposes.

Blood clots can be very dangerous, and in fact deadly. Blood clots are a hazard of lying in bed and not moving legs regularly. Most physicians will order medication to prevent blood clots, and may also prescribe blood thinners to ensure clots do not develop.

Related: Top 5 New Year's Resolutions for Nurses Reasons for Lack of Mobility There are a variety of reasons that a patient may not be mobile. The after effects of a surgical procedure can make walking, standing, or even sitting up painfully. Older patients may simply be tired, and not have the ambition to consider rehabilitation therapy. . Continue to encourage the patient to walk, stand, and sit. If the patient is opposed to walking, sitting in a chair with feet on the floor can help keep joints and muscles flexible, and can help prevent blood clots as well.

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