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This isn't a long article but I thought it ties into our evidence based papers that we have done for school. This guy thinks in the future that Occupational Therapists AND Occupational Therapy Assistants will have to use evidence-based research to justify interventions. (In other words, it's not stopping once we graduate)! "Michael Graham expects the next five years to bring an even greater focus on evidence-based care. The 14-year OTR believes there will be greater expectations for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants more quickly implement evidence-based approaches into their practice."

A skit from students about occupational based therapy.

cute!

Stress management Occupational therapists aim to assist their clients to achieve stress reduction and improve occupational performance through evidence-based and practical interventions. Research has shown that stress and anxiety management strategies improve quality of life during stressful life experiences such as adjusting to changed life roles (e.g. parenthood or illness).

This type of arthritis affect the joint of the base of the thumb. This joint tends to wear out and is prone to arthritis early on as we age. There are pictures and the article covers surgeries and other treatments. It often affects those with OA.

CarFit is a community based program that sponsors events (as a collaborative effort between AOTA, AAA, and AARP) with the purpose of inspecting the older driver in their own vehicle. "trained technicians and/or health professionals work with each participant to ensure they "fit" their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety". It takes about 20 mins after which recommendations for adjustments and adaptations are provided. The website provides FAQs and videos with a lot of information pertaining to the older driver and driver safety. Those of you interested in driving rehab may be interested in participating in an event such as this as a COTA in the future.

I decided to share this article as I was unaware that there is a specific group to help farmers continue to live and work independently. In the rural area I live in, this information will definitely be needed. Many of the physical disabilities I witnessed in nursing homes and in outpatient settings were direct results of farming injuries. As well, farmers are very self-sufficient and their self worth is based mostly on their ability to maintain their lifestyle.

This is a really good article on OT, work, and workers comp. It even goes into problems of workers comp.

This article is about a study that is being researched on a new type of skin for severe burns. It has not been approved by the FDA, but it was said that mostly like it will be. This new skin is a water based formula called hydrogel. Severe burns do a lot of damage, but "This treatment promoted the development of new blood vessels and the regeneration of complex layers of skin, including hair follicles and the glands that produce skin oil," said Sharon Gerecht. So if this new study is approved, it is going to be one of the greatest things invented!!!

A program designed to help the viewer avoid back pain by demonstrating the correct body mechanics to use when transferring patients. The program discusses how the center of gravity, the line of gravity, and the base of support determine proper body alignment.

Help kick start your SOAP note!

A different prezi on soap notes

This CDC site lists several exercise programs that are geared toward older adults and fall prevention. Click on one of the links and you will get an overview of the study that the exercise program was used in and all the ones I have looked at so far have downloads in pdf form of exercises.

I actually taught this program under a PT when I worked at Greenfield Senior Living. It focuses on strengthening, balance, and walking which decreases chance of falling with the aging adults. Studies have shown that falls are reduced by 35% by using this program.

The mission of the VA Center of Excellence for Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetic Engineering is to provide broad based investigators the opportunity to conduct basic and clinical research and effectively disseminate their findings in an effort to impact the quality of life and functional status of veteran amputees and veterans who are at risk for amputation.

Driving and Community Mobility A medical doctor wrote and asked if we do "driving evaluations," and if so, what exactly it is we do. As the co-editor of a text published by the American Occupational Therapy Association, I was challenged to respond in a brief manner.

I feel this is a great resource for individuals and their loved ones upon initial injury or diagnosis of an illness. It has short explanations about many different common conditions from spinal cord injury and questions one might have to psychological disorders. I feel it could be a great way for people to find out more if they wish to do it in a more private setting. It talks about sports, travel, school, work etc. It is based in Europe. Their ambassador's have disabilities so they have more insight than others might!

UK based website with FAQ about arthritis and the role OT may play.

This document discusses the risks of falls in the older population and why prevention is so important. It goes on to explain how to develop a community based fall prevention program and the necessary components such as education, exercise, medication management, home assessment and home safety. Great resource with a lot of information about fall prevention.

Photo credit: John A. Rogers/University Of Illinois Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois have developed a discreet, wearable device that provides around-the-clock monitoring of both heart and skin health. The skin-like patch measures a mere five centimeters square and is designed to be worn directly on the skin, for example on a user's wrist much like a band aid.

I thought this was a neat idea, based on the lessons recently on cardiopulmonary health.