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The focus of care in OT is often directly on the client, and rightly so, but it is also important to support and educate the caregiver in ways to reduce their stress and provide them with resources such as the article posted here. This article discusses the importance of caregivers self-care, the benefits of attending support groups, and overcoming personal barriers. Being a caregiver is a very tough job both physically and mentally, so it is important that OT practitioners advocate for caregivers as well as the clients for which they care.

The nature of care-giving can place great physical stress on you as the caregiver. Practicing proper body mechanics will decrease the stress and strain and help to safely manage the mobility of the care-receiver. The primary rule is to maintain the normal lumbar curve at all times.

Thanks for sharing, I used this website in my Pearltrees about PD, it has very helpful info.

Would be a great resource for caregiver education!

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.

Health and Wellness

I found this webpage concerning caregiver stress and burnout. It is an informative article regarding how to recognize stress leading to burnout. When I saw this, it reminded me of our class today and it lists tips on how to deal with our stress. Even if it's not caregiver stress, this could relate to anyone who is dealing with a lot of pressure.

This site provides ideas and assistance to decide which AT is best for your loved one. It also provides funding resources that may help purchase certain equipment.

Amputee Coalition is a national non-profit organization providing extensive resources, peer support, outreach and education to individual amputees, amputee caregivers, limb loss professionals and those dealing with the effects of limb loss.

EKR Foundation website has lots of good info and resources on grief, palliative care, support, and even financial help

Being a man, I often think that if I suffered from a disability that left me dependent on others I might feel a bit 'less than' and this article discusses a study that covers the topic of emasculation in males who are dependent on caregivers. Sexuality is a big part of most people's life and just because someone suffers from a disability doesn't mean that they cease to exist as a sexual being. The article also discusses how the approach to social care is typically asexual and that this approach can come across as patronizing, dismissive, and even disrespectful to a client's sexuality.

Body Mechanics Training. Body mechanics training is the application of proper body movement to prevent and correct poor posture, reduce stress on ligaments, joints and tendons and to enhance physical capabilities. Mechanics studies energy and forces and their affects on bodies. Mechanics derives from physics. Biomechanics is applying mechanics to biological systems, and it...

My friends mother has been diagnosed with FTD at the age of 58. I found this article while helping her research what she could expect. Thought it would be very beneficial to her as the caregiver and also us as students to have a better understanding of the different types of dementia.

Virtual Hip Replacement Surgery is a science game for and early college and patients and their caregivers to take on the role of a surgeon and complete a hip replacement surgery while learning about the procedure, technology, and health risks and benefits. Activity includes photos of real surgery.

Amputee Coalition is a national non-profit organization providing extensive resources, peer support, outreach and education to individual amputees, amputee caregivers, limb loss professionals and those dealing with the effects of limb loss.

I found this website is very interesting because like most of us I have an older parents.The one of the most difficult decisions children have to make is to place his or her aging parent in long term care facility. This website provides different tips on how to keep seniors in their regular place of residence as long as possible. The organization PACE that covered under Medicare or Medicaid provides necessary services, include adult day program, transportation, activities and medical help. As a future OT practitioners we may recommend this website to our clients.

This article talks about an Occupational Therapist role in teaching a client how to manage their lyphedema through complete decongestive therapy. By doing this a client can have independence and can reduce the need of a daily caregiver.

The website of the National Down Syndrome Society offers some valuable information for therapists and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome to understand their sexuality and give appropriate sex education.

Aging in place. A site where you can send pts.

This is a whole website dedicated to Aging in Place. They say it is their "mission is to provide Caregivers, Seniors, and Baby Boomers resources for aging in place." There is a blog that gives valuable advice, information, and support. You can even order AE on this site for convenience. I thought this gave a nice all encompassing look at aging in place.

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

This is a company that provides sexual surrogacy (the topic that Tyler brought up in our class) and resources for those with disabilities to explore and fulfill their sexual needs. This is obviously not a light topic of discussion and some may take offense with what this company offers, but it is a conversation that is worth discussing. Individuals with disabilities may have a harder time understanding and exploring their sexuality. Society has a tendency to desexualize those with disabilities because it is not a topic that most people are comfortable discussing and families/caregivers might even infantilize those that they care for because of their level of dependence.

This infographic can be helpful to caregivers and clinicians alike as it focuses on the psychosocial needs of the client (which can often be overlooked). For health practitioners it is frustrating to see clients not being compliant with their medication or maintaining a healthy lifestyle but sometimes there is more to this than just plain stubbornness. This infographic discusses possible reasons as to why client's are not making the progress we hope for them and it emphasizes the importance of client-centered care. Asking clients WHY and working with them to adjust and adapt their care to reach the best fit for them as individuals is very important.