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I really thought this article was interesting and thought I would share it with you all. It's about understanding the natural changes that come with aging and what we can do to improve these issues. I also think that reading this, other individuals see that these issues that they are having themselves are common and they are not alone. I think that helps them to see a different light about it and they are able to accept these problems more easily,

This website offers resources for emotional and psychosocial issues, rehabilitation, sexual health, social issues, support programs, etc. for breast cancer survivors. Many of these areas fall under the occupational therapy domain.

This was written for college students with disabilities as a resource for instructors. It can be used for any age classroom. It covers the areas that are difficult to students with mobility issues or other disabilities and how to interact. A number of devices are listed that can be helpful. I really thought the list of injuries or diseases and their characteristics that will be of importance was great to include. A nice resource for the classroom.

The Job Accommodation Network put this information together because the number of workers over 65 is going to increase dramatically as the baby boomers age. The benefits for hiring an older worker are listed as well as the laws protecting workers. This is a nice resource for those older workers to know what rights they have and what accommodations are even available. Some accommodations cover ADLs, weakness or fatigue, hearing limitations, vision limitations, psychological issues, to name a few. I thought it was really helpful that a few situations were presented with possible solutions. Also, for the consumer, is a link to products for accommodation options.

A lot of times, when people do not think an issue involves them, it is harder for to sympathize with those it does affect. This video showed me how this issue could just as easily involve me or someone I love deeply. As it has been said, "there but for the grace of God, go I."

Hospice care and palliative care are very similar when it comes to the most important issue for dying people: care

Super interesting! This article gives insight on those patients who have incontinence issues and helpful hints on how to get them to therapy even though they are afraid of having an accident! This could be super helpful one day!

This video was very insightful! They talked about different terms used such as "chair chaser" (look that up on urban dictionary), spinal cord injuries and sex, drugs that can be used to assist with sex, assisted devices such as a love wedge (helps with movement) and toys used for individuals with sensation issues. They also indicated that for some people sex is therapy. It can help alleviate pain.

An issue that an individual with an amputee might have is moisture control. I searched for products available that might help with this. I came across this you tube video and they talk about how they developed a sock specifically for individuals with amputees. However, since then they now products for anyone (athletes). Here's a link to their webpage http://www.swiftwick.com/valor-liner-socks-60-ctg.htm If we were working with someone that had this problem, we could possibly offer this as a solution.

At my last fieldwork placement I got to watch a couple of driving assessments. Driving brings a person much freedom. Taking away the privilege can be devastating to some. This article gives some good tips on to talk with a loved one about their ability or non-ability to drive. I think the tips would apply to those of us who find ourselves working in situations where we would have to talk with client's about this subject.

This is a tough issue. I used to worry about my grandmother so much. She started having little fender benders. It is good for us to be aware as COTA's how significant driving or not driving can be to our clients.

The conversation regarding when someone should no longer drive could be quite hard. I found this website that gives advise on how to have this conversation. It discusses how to plan for it, how to bring it up, how to handle objections and the environment in which it should take place. It also talks about how to help the individual with the transition (finding other means of transportation, etc).

I was just talking to a friend that works as a COTA on the home health setting yesterday about adaptive equipment. She was telling she is always having to fabricate adaptive devices for her patients because there are just certain things they need but cannot afford. Poverty is a huge issue especially with our elderly who are living on a fixed income. We will have to work with the supplies on hand. If we can't think of it,I am sure we can find it on Pinterest :)

This sight has some great ideas for those who know they or someone they love will need assistive devices in the future. It shares ideas for planning and recognizing needs that may arise. It even has info and links to various suppliers that could help with all kinds of adaptive equipment.

I love this sight because it explains children's occupations, and the need for children to receive OT in plain terms that all can comprehend. If you click on the word occupational therapists in the definition, it further defines OT. Thank you Kids Health for promotion occupational therapy! This sight has all kinds of answers for families with questions about illness, OT, age related concerns etc. It has everything from puberty issues by gender to what is a coma. You even have the option to listen to their examples and explanations instead of just reading them.

Suggested info when talking to young people about sexual issues.

As the population ages many of use will have to face sexuality issues with our own parents. Two extremes are represented here, one home where the man was forced to move after found having sex with another resident and one where sexual relationships are considered natural.

This appendix discusses two issues that arise when translating scientific evidence into physical activity guidance for the public: In scientific terms, total weekly physical activity in the range of 500 to 1,000 MET-minutes produces substantial health benefits for adults. How should this finding be simplified and translated into Guidelines that are understandable by the public?

Although we seldom think about them this way, most American communities as they exist today were built for the spry and mobile. We've constructed millions of multi-story, single-family homes where the master bedroom is on the second floor, where the lawn outside requires weekly upkeep, where the mailbox is a stroll away.

I found this really interesting as we're discussing ageing in place and accessibility in housing. One wonders how society as a whole will handle this issue as a huge demographic ages.

This article is short, but provides definition for Assistive Technology and the different devices that could be used. Just thought this would be helpful to refer to because there are different levels from low levels to high levels.

I like this….makes a good cheat sheet…will be saving for future reference.

This article addresses "health-related issues...appropriate sexual behavior...reproduction and pregnancy" related to sexuality and people with disablities.