Don’t limit assistance to hands-on.
When an OASIS item refers to a patient’s need for assistance, are you certain you know what you should consider?
The OASIS takes a broad definition of assistance. A patient who requires a lift to make a transfer obviously needs assistance. But a patient who needs a verbal cue to take her medication also requires assistance.
In general, when an OASIS item refers to assistance, it means assistance from another person unless the item specifies otherwise.
Physical contact isn’t the only kind of assistance the OASIS tracks. Verbal cues, supervision, standby assistance, reminders, and hands-on can all count as types of assistance.