Which position should a Personal Care Assistant adopt while assisting a patient with right-sided weakness to walk?

When assisting a patient with right-sided weakness to walk, the Personal Care Assistant should position themselves on the patient's left side. This positioning is crucial because it allows the assistant to provide support on the patient's stronger side, which is the left side in this case. By standing on the left, the assistant can effectively help maintain the patient's balance and facilitate movement.

Positioning on the left also minimizes the risk of falls, as the assistant can offer immediate support if the patient begins to lose balance. Utilizing the stronger side for assistance not only boosts the patient’s confidence but also encourages them to engage more actively in the walking process.

The other positions—being in front, on the right side, or behind—do not provide the same level of support during the walking process. Being directly in front can obstruct the patient's view and hinder communication. Standing on the right side, where the patient may have weakness, could increase the risk of falls. Being behind the patient may lead to a lack of immediate support if the patient falters, as the assistant would have limited capacity to catch or guide them safely. Thus, the best practice involves standing on the side where the patient has greater strength to ensure safe and effective assistance.