Description of a Person Requiring Standby Assist
A person requiring standby assist is someone who needs minimal assistance (cuing, standby) with activities such as dressing and can be categorized as moderately frail on the Clinical Frailty Scale. 1
Understanding Standby Assist in Clinical Context
Standby assist refers to a level of assistance where:
- The individual can perform the activity independently but requires someone nearby for safety, verbal cues, or occasional physical assistance if needed 1
- The person is typically categorized as "moderately frail" (level 6) on the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Clinical Frailty Scale 1
- The caregiver provides supervision without constant hands-on assistance, remaining within reach to intervene if necessary 1
Functional Characteristics of Individuals Needing Standby Assist
People requiring standby assist typically demonstrate:
- Ability to perform most personal care activities with minimal assistance 1
- Need for help with all outside activities and household maintenance 1
- Often have problems navigating stairs independently 1
- May need minimal assistance (cuing, standby) specifically with dressing 1
- Retain some functional independence but require supervision for safety 1
Clinical Assessment and Identification
Healthcare providers can identify patients requiring standby assist through:
- Evaluation of mobility using functional tests such as the Timed Up and Go or the 2-step test 2
- Assessment of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) 1
- Determination of the patient's ability to perform tasks with verbal cues versus hands-on assistance 1
- Consideration of the patient's cognitive status and safety awareness 1
Common Scenarios Requiring Standby Assist
Standby assist is commonly needed in the following situations:
- During transfers from bed to chair or toilet 1
- When bathing to prevent falls 1
- While dressing to ensure proper sequencing and completion 1
- During ambulation with assistive devices like canes or walkers 3
- When navigating stairs or uneven surfaces 1
Implications for Care Planning
When documenting or planning care for someone requiring standby assist:
- Specify the exact activities requiring standby assistance to ensure appropriate care 1
- Consider the home environment and necessary modifications for safety 1
- Assess the availability and capability of caregivers to provide standby assistance 1
- Evaluate the need for assistive devices to potentially reduce the level of assistance required 3, 2
- Document the specific verbal cues or minimal physical assistance that may be needed 1
Distinction from Other Levels of Assistance
It's important to distinguish standby assist from other levels of care:
- Less intensive than "hands-on assistance" where the caregiver actively participates in the activity 1
- More intensive than "supervision" where the caregiver only observes from a distance 1
- Different from "contact guard" which involves maintaining physical contact during the activity 1
- Not the same as "dependent care" where the caregiver performs most or all of the activity 1