Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Working with stroke patients is a very common part of Grace’s job. Often the patient must relearn many everyday activities such as dressing, walking, eating, and talking. Grace’s responsibility is to help the patient when there is a problem.

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The physical therapy goal for one of Grace’s patients is to be able to button clothing. The patient has weakness on her left side. Therefore, using both hands to put the button into the buttonhole is hard for her. Grace helps by encouraging and giving advice to her patient.

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Another patient has difficulty talking. The words don’t come out right. Grace waits an extra-long time when she asks a question of this patient. She also tries to ask questions the patient can answer with words that are easier to say.

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A third patient is walking more and more on his own, but he often shuffles his feet. This shuffling is unsafe and could cause him to fall. Grace helps this patient by reminding him to pick up his feet. She also walks next to him in case he becomes unsteady.

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Often Grace’s patients become frustrated because they can’t do what they used to do. When that happens, Grace reassures them that they are doing the best they can. She also reminds them that each day they are doing better.