Has Covid ended mobility training?
The short answer is no. Here are some easy to apply tips on how to keep up your mobility training and routines during lockdown. It is so important to keep your skills honed. This will also help your physical and mental health.
However, training will need to be adapted to ensure that safety of both the client and Vision Rehabilitation Worker (‘VRW’). The risk is of Covid-19 infection to the client or the VRW or the public.
How best to mitigate the risk?
- Prior to the training assess the client’s vulnerability to infection.
- Decide what elements of the training session can be done at a distance.
- Decide what elements of the session can be done at a distance and whether technology assist in any preparation.
- Consider whether a family member or someone in the same bubble can assist at the direction or the VRW.
- Agree how the socially distanced session will run.
- Where the two metre distancing cannot be guaranteed, discuss what precautions may be needed e.g. the use of PPE and hand sanitisers.
- Check on the day of the visit that the client is still free of COVID-19 symptoms.
- As much of the session as possible should take place in open space where there is a free flow of air
- Wear non-surgical face coverings during outdoor training whenever possible and always if you are not able to maintain the 2 metre distance or are working in confined outdoor spaces or on public transport.
- The trainer should walk behind the client wherever possible
- Use a tandem-bar be used to remove the need for hand-over-hand technique for clients who might require this.
- Using cars to transport clients should be avoided.