Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. BLIND PERSONS, AIDING THE FOLLOWING POINTS SHOULD BE REMEMBERED IN DEALING WITH THE BLIND PERSON: 1. In acting as the blind person's guide, offer your arm and let him hold it. Walk slightly ahead of him so that he can notice when you step up or down in time to be warned himself to be sure, you might tell him that he has to step up or down and see how well he manages, and then indicate by a slight hesitation that a step will have to be taken. 2. If you want a blind person to sit down on a chair, place his hand on the back of the chair and he will sit down by himself. Also, if he enters a car, put his hand on top of the door frame and he will do the rest. 3. In taking with a blind person, use your ordinary voice, the can hear all right. Also, relax and do not hesitate to use your regular vocabulary. Including "see" or "look", which to them and in most cases to you also, substitute for "understand". 4. In entering or leaving a room, speak to the blind person so that he knows whether you are present. Also, do this when you sit down so that he knows where you are sitting. 5. Keep doors either closed or wide open flush with the wall. Half-open doors are serious obstacles. 6. If he smokes, give him an ashtray either into his hands, or tell him that there is one on the desk in front of him. Don't move the ashtray or other things he is using since he will count on having them in the same place for his use. 7. If you want to shake hands with a blind person, you may have to take hold of his hand since he cannot see you move toward him. On the other hand, you can see if he stretches out his hand to shake yours. 8. Be natural, kind, and thoughtful, and do not hesitate to ask the blind person himself when in doubt about what would be the right thing to do. He will be glad to inform you about his preference, and both of you will feel greatly at ease. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-43