As a Home Health Care Provider, caring for a spinal cord injured client can be very challenging, yet at the same time even more rewarding. When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, the brain is unable to communicate with the rest of the body leading to paralysis. There are different degrees of paralysis depending on where on the spinal cord the injury occurred. The three main terms used to describe the severity of the injury are Quadriplegia or Tetraplegia and Paraplegia.
Quadriplegia or Tetraplegia
These two terms are interchangeable. They refer to a spinal cord injury that is above the first thoracic vertebra, which leads to paralysis of all four limbs.
Paraplegia
This term refers to when the spinal cord injury is below the first thoracic vertebra. The amount of paralysis caused by this type of injury varies depending on where on the spinal cord the injury occurred, and how severe the nerve damage is.
In any case, a spinal cord injury is always a life changing event not only for the injured, but also their families. Spinal cord injuries are non-discriminating, and can happen to the nicest most undeserving person. As Home Health Providers we must have the highest degree of empathy when caring for these clients. We can never really put ourselves in the injured person’s position, but regardless we must try.
There is hope! As technology advances and scientists and doctors continue to research spinal cord injuries, it is likely that a breakthrough is right around the corner. In the meantime, as Home Health Providers, we can help the spinal cord injured and their families improve the quality of their lives.
Not every Home Health Provider has the capabilities, resources, and staff to care for spinal cord injured clients. Caregivers should have special training to manage the special needs of these clients. This training should include bladder and bowel control, skin sensation and care, passive physical therapy, circulatory control, blood clots, respiratory problems, Autonomic Dysreflexia, muscle tone, spastic muscles, fitness and wellness, sexual health, pain, and depression.
Recent Comments