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This is very interesting research that has been done on studying how many older adults using technology. Statistically 68% of adults age 75 and older are using internet.Well educated and financially stable seniors adapt internet faster that those with lower education and income. Seniors that not using internet find that they are missing a lot of valuable information. It finds that 35% of adult Internet users now have a profile on at least one social networking site.

We've learned a lot about the importance for children with sensory processing disorders to receive OT in our pediatrics class this semester, but often when those disorders go untreated they persist into adulthood. This webpage discusses the ties that SPD in adults have to higher likelihood of anxiety and depression and overall poorer quality of life. The page discusses the importance of OT intervention in desensitization training, education, and reduction of any negative coping strategies developed by those adults. Very interesting read.

When I saw that we would be talking about RA in class I started looking into it more. My sister who is only 20, was told by her doctor that she may have RA and they are currently doing further testing. At first I thought "there's no way" shes only 20! But then I did some research and found this article. RA is actually fairly common in young adults, especially women. More specifically, there is a 1 in 714 chance for a woman in her 20s to develop RA. This article goes into more detail about these statistics and the cause.

I read in a Health magazine just last night that taking or if you have taken birth control pills, it helps guard against RA.

Who would have thought a National Council on Aging! There are all kinds of resource linked to this sight. I can see how this could be a great resource for those who are aging or caring for those who are. If you scroll down to the section on "I want to stay healthy" you can click on a list of ways to "restart living." This section helps those who may need to re-evaluate their life and provides direction to encourage them to recognize that they still have something to live for

This is a great site for the older adult or caregiver to find numerous resources. From money management, transportation, job searches, fall preventions and much more. I know I will refer to it in my future practices and thought I would share.

Tips from OT practitioners helping families talk to parents and help older adults stay in their homes.

This page from the AOTA website contains links to various topics associated with the aging adult. These are tip sheets that explain different conditions and how OT can help. These include aging in place, living with Alzheimer's, fall prevention, hip replacement, home modification, low vision, driving and stroke. In addition to the tip sheets, there are links to videos for aging in place, home modification and precautions the elderly can take to prevent falls in the home. This is a great place to look to obtain a lot of good information on a variety of problems the elderly can face and how occupational therapy can help this population.

As we age, our needs and interests evolve and change, so our choices of housing should be wide ranging, as should be the spectrum of activities and services. Most older adults wish to remain in their homes and communities as they age.

I chose this article because when I was at Keystone, an adult day program in Oak Ridge, I saw the benefit of this program in allowing seniors with physical and cognitive deficits to remain at home, or in assisted living, for longer periods of time. I liked this article's emphasis on integration of many programs to age in place successfully.

At Atlanta's Washington Park Pool, Anne Dunivin slowly and gingerly makes her way into the water. She says, "My girls get me to the pool, twice a week. And I swim for at least half a mile. I swim laps, from that end to this end and then back."

To go along with the studying on the ageing adult we've been doing. This is proof that slowing down is inevitable, but the healthy adult can be active for many years.

I am sharing this article as a reminder of how important bone health is. This article shares information about how much calcium adults and children need and the importance of calcium and other vitamins and minerals for healthy bones. Eating healthy and exercise is essential in promoting healthy bones. We as COTA's will be treating clients of all ages and I feel it is necessary for us to understnd and educate when we can on bone health. Understanding a lifestyle of eating healthy and knowing what damages our bones is important. Education and being proactive on bone health may prevent us and our clients from distress in our future.

This website also has Technology for parents and adults. Technology can be a great tool for students (and adults!) who have learning disabilities like dysgraphia or dyslexia that affect their written expression. We've personally reviewed these mobile apps and we know they're LD-friendly. They can make the writing process a bit easier and even fun!

Living in a community with ample open space is associated with more physical, occupational and social participation for adults with physical impairments, according to new research. Authors Amanda Botticello, PhD, MPH, and Nicolette Cobbold, BS, of the Kessler Foundation, West Orange, N.J., and Tanya Rohrbach, MS, of Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, N.J., explored associations between community and neighborhood land uses and community participation.

This is a tip sheet I discovered on the AOTA website.  It provides very useful tips for helping your older parent remain at home and age in place safely, as well as ways to approach the topic with them.  I really loved the idea of presenting home modifications as gifts. This tip sheet is of particular interest to me as my mother slowly descends into the world of Alzheimer's disease.

I know we have already went over this topic, but I thought this page was really informative on dysphagia. Usually most pages just list the definition and the symptoms, but it goes on and on about various aspects that are associated with dysphagia. It even explains what you should ask that doctor when you first visit him/her. I just wanted to share this site encase you know someone that suffers from it and this would be helpful!!

I don't know about the rest of you but I have trouble coming up with fun and purposeful activities for older adults. I came across this webpage that has ideas on activities for dressing, activities for cancer patients, arthritis patients, stroke victims, and more. Some of the "toolkit" you have to pay for but a lot of the handouts for home exercises are free and fairly simply to understand. I feel like there is something for almost every topic we have talked about his semester.

The production company behind "Keeping up with the Kardashians" and other reality television staples will debut a new documentary series following young adults with Down syndrome. The six-episode series "Born This Way" will air on A&E Network starting Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. ET.----- I am anxious to see this show! I hope they portray it in a way that isn't dramatic and fake like all the other reality tv shows. I feel this show has to opportunity to show people more into the life of someone who lives with a disability! I know I'll be watching...anyone else?

This semester we had a discussion about older adults and how to help them prevent fells as they age in place. This website gives a detailed list and tips you want to remember to help an older adult prevent falls so that they may age in place safely.

Soft tissue sarcomas and treatments.

What do you all think of it?

This relates to Unit 2 (the aging adult). I was talking with my grandmother and she made a statement, "it's hard to age gracefully". So, I went searching and I came across 10 tips on how to age gracefully. Most of them should be common sense and we've talked about them in class. Maybe we could give these tips to our older clients?