IHM contra-indications and "One off clients"

[Mr. Football]

Please can I have some advice? I am due to start working as an IHM Therapist for one morning per week at a local hotel for the blind and partially sighted. How do others working for hotels cope with the consultation and possible contra-indications....there is not always time to consult the clients doctor as the guests are only there for one or two weeks and many are getting on in age and on various medications and several are diabetic. This could cut down drastically the number of possible treatments and just result in consultations only at no charge - so no earnings for me!

Thanks for reading - look forward to your replies.[sm=wave.gif]

 

[aZootSabeReado64]

Hiya
For me it would definitely depend on which IHM course you have done and what type of therapist you are...there are many therapists that do not treat people with anything out of the ordinary....i am not one, i do lots of rehab work and have never had to turn anyone away.

If you have only do the one day course and have no knowledge of A&P and medical conditions and the possibles reactions they may experience I would be cautious, however if you have done A&P and have a good understanding of illness etc then go for it, at all times follow your feelings. The only one I would treat with real caution with IHM is epilepsy where i would only do gentle tapotment and soothing moves but yes i would still treat. In terms of medication as a general rule of thumb if a client has been medicated on the same drugs for 3-6months and has been stable all this time again I would be inclined to treat.

If you are treating diabetics and why not make sure you have some dextrose tablets (any chemist or supermarket), they will know if they are going hypo and this will only happen if they are insulin dependent. I generally try to ensure if they are injecting that the insulin has been taken at least an hour before treatment.

I do a small consultation and yes the sign the forms.....i do not see why this could still not be the case...most blind people will be able to put the sig. down if you show them where. Make sure you explain the treatment thoroughly and ask if they want guidance anywhere, surprises are not nice at any time.

Hope that helps
T
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[Gleek!]

Hi TigerBee,
Thank you so much for your reply, which I found very encouraging and very much the way I would like to do treatment (I am also interested in approaching Rehab Centres close by to offer my services).
I am VTCT Diploma trained very recently so this is my first opportunity for paying customers. I have had some experience in nursing several years ago and hold a recent emergency aid certificate. It is an excellent thought of yours to have Dextrose on hand so will remember to do that. I am going to go for it and rely on my gut instincts and common sense as suggested.
I would love to know more about the rehab work you do - how much you charge and how often you attend etc. are you self-employed or employed by the centre etc.
Once again many thanks for your comments and advice.

 

[Psycho-psych]

Hello again
I work from my own clinic and do various therapies....some of the work is paid for and some i do free of charge however a lot i do for a nominal charge in terms of the rehab work...if you do have any questions just email, send a pm and I will get back to you as soon as possible....

T
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