Taking care of blind patients can be challenging for nurses. Most blind patients can function independently at home but when they become hospitalized and be in an unfamiliar environment, they are at risk for falls and injuries, although most will not admit to needing help. This course intends to look at the unique challenges of taking care of blind patients.
Learning Objectives Taking Care of a Blind Patient
- Recognize that patients with visual impairments need special care.
- Recognize that patient safety is of utmost importance for visually impaired patients.
- Recognize the importance of completing the whole sensory experience, what is causing the smell, taste, or noise when assisting a blind patient.
- Learn the role of service dogs.
- Recognize that some blind patients may want to be as independent as possible, to give them a sense of some control of their situation.
- Recognize that blind patients are at risk of social isolation which could lead to depression.