Facilitating self-care in patients wearing rigid collars

Patients wearing rigid collars often cannot bend over or squat down. This makes self-care difficult. Advise them to get inexpensive (plastic) overbed tables, and put them in the bathroom, dining areas, and areas in which the patient will be reading. These tables can be used to raise utensils and supplies to a height sufficient to support more independence. Furthermore, many have pockets on each side in which supplies such as personal care items and remote controls can be kept within easy reach. - BONNIE FAHERTY, PhD, APRN-BC, Northridge, Calif. (146-19)