Help Harriet

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Harriett needs to be positioned in a “nest” to sleep.

Make sure she alternates which side she is placed on to sleep.

Position a sausage shape between Harriett’s legs and along her back and place a teddy bear between her arms.

Position Harriett on your knee with her legs bent up. For short periods try to keep her head in the middle  then help her to move her head to look side to side by alternately raising and lowering your legs.

Hold her arms out straight and gently pull them alternately to loosen the shoulders. Try to move down the arms to her hands to stretch her fingers out too. Play with Harriett’s hands together

Loosen Harriett’s legs by gently moving them alternately up and down and apart.

Then try stretching her legs upwards towards her with her legs straighter. Always be very gentle and use gentle alternating movements

For short periods see if Harriett can cope with gently being moved into a more curled up position with her head in the middle. Cup your hands behind her head and rock her gently to and fro

Position Harriett across your lap with the leg nearest her head higher up than the other leg.

Keep both of her arms forwards and use your arm to support her head.

Rotate her upper body very gently and slowly by moving her top arm alternately to and fro

SPLINT GUIDELINES

Application-this will take 2 people. One person gently and slowly stretches out the fingers and thumb until the hand is fully open. The other person then can carefully position the splint, making sure the thumb is out and not strapped into the splint. Make sure when doing the straps up that they are not too tight and check that Harriet’s hand has maintained the same colour.

Cleaning- Harriet’s hand is very sensitive and would benefit from gentle cleaning every time the splints are applied. Use a soft cloth or cotton wool bud to clean the hand making sure you get between all the fingers and the thumb. Then use a soft cloth to dry the hands making sure they are fully dry before applying the splint.

How long to leave the splints on for: please check the splint regularly and if the fingers have moved and bent up, please either remove the splint and let Harriet rest or reposition the splint. If the splints are comfortable and Harriet is tolerating them well, she can wear them for several hours a day as long as they are being monitored. The splints are not to be worn overnight at present as they ne ed more regular breaks and monitoring.

TRACHEOSTOMY CARE

SUCTION

OXYGEN

FEEDING

MEDICINE