Walking with a forearm support frame requires two people to maintain balance and guide the movement of their legs. A consistent schedule for walking may be learned in 2 or 3 weeks and reduces the yelling and efforts to stand. After that occurs, sitting and moving with hand-over-hand assistance may be more effective.
Walking with a forearm support frame should be scheduled for the morning and afternoon to meet the need to stand up and walk. They can help determine the length of the session by telling carers when they are tired, which is usually about 30 minutes.
With hemiplegia, a third person seated on a rolling stool is required to move the impaired foot.
A regular schedule of walking with a forearm support frame is not timed by the clock but is timed by the sequence of observed events. When a schedule is finally learned in a few weeks, troublesome efforts to try to walk and yelling may be reduced. Skipping the anticipated opportunity to walk will also be noticed and protested. The protest to a skipped session is usually persistent yelling for several hours, which may be a change of shift, which means that different staff members listen to the consequences with animosity.
When needed, most people appreciate the sense of security provided by the feel of the carer's firm, solid, lingering hands and trunk support straps. Cushions while seated in a regular wheelchair will also be noticed and appreciated.
When moving from bed to chair, or back to bed, the person will attend to verbal or gestural cues and assist with the movements. Assistance will be required to guide the motion, which will be slow.
Most people need to be out of their bedroom and walking or sitting upright 2 or 3 hours a day to prevent yelling. Walking and sitting upright also prevents unnecessary pressure sores, poor circulation and skin deterioration.