Hopscotch Stairs
Intervention Summary
Goals: Stair training, leg strength
Patient task: Walks up stairs to retrieve dropped bean bag, then back down stairs
Dog task: Drops bean bag on random stair
Scale: Climbing direction, stair sequencing
Equipment needed: Bean bags
Intervention Overview
Gotta get those steps in! This activity will have your patients walking up and down the stairs repeatedly, which will address your stair climbing and leg strengthening goals. The facility dog goes up the steps first, dropping a bean bag on a random step. Your patient will then climb the steps to retrieve the dropped bean bag, and then come back down. And repeat!
Patient Instructions
Patient starts at bottom of the stairs
Climb the stairs to retrieve the dropped bean bag
Dog’s Role
Dog carries a bean bag and drops it on a random step
Interaction level: active
Scaling
Make it easier:
Sequencing: “up with the good, down with the bad”
Use your practice wooden stairs to limit number of steps needed to climb (usually 3-4 steps)
Use bilateral railings for support
Have patient only going forward direction
Make it harder:
Sequencing: “up with the bad, down with the good”
Use full flight of stairs for max number of steps
Limit to unilateral railing or no railing
Add ankle weight resistance
Have patient ascending or descending stairs backwards
Additional Notes
Equipment: bean bags
