Group items tagged

This is a very interesting and informative article on the pre-prosthetic treatment OT gives a client. The client will be assessed by OT for things like ROM, scar management, pain, phantom pain and sensation, and desensitization. Client interview helps the practitioner choose a correct prosthetic. Always consider the psychosocial aspect. There are different things to consider if the amputation is unilateral or bilateral. The OT will help prepare the limb to wear the prosthetic. Mirror therapy can be used as a treatment option for phantom pain. The OT will help in ADL training, stump care, prosthetic care, and psychosocial care.

Be approachable, open-minded and non-judgmental. This is a great checklist to read over before talking with your clients about sex. Included is how to provide an environment that the client feels safe speaking of sex, key areas that should be covered, some barriers that are faced by minority populations, and many reminders to be open minded, non-judgmental, and to keep your personal beliefs out of the discussion.

this is a neat interactive tool that you can use with senior (or any age) clients to help educate them about what safety hazards to watch out for and avoid in their home. It is a fun, visual way to show and tell the client about what to look for in the different rooms (living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom) in order to reduce the risk of falling. Something different besides a checklist.

just click on the "hidden hazards house" link to help Harold find the 26 hazards

This is a really interesting study that I read,"An Occupational Therapist Perspective on Sexual Health." This particular study is about how confident they are when OTs are talking to their clients about sex. If the client ask a question pertaining to sex, how many don't think twice about answering and do they answer the question correctly. Another thing that I found interesting in this study is that health professions were surveyed: Thee professionals were asked and about 90% of the surveyed population said sex talk was holistic, but only 6% reported that they discussed it. So, if OT knows that it is an important aspect. Why don't we talk more often? - Well, read and see!! ; )

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 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.

This blog posting talks about the importance of pacing your interactions with those who have dementia. Not all people suffering from dementia will have the same level of cognizance but it is important for us as future OT practitioners to understand that no matter their level of function, clients should always be spoken to as if they are able to respond. The focus in most healthcare settings is to be as efficient with your time as possible, so striking a balance between efficiency and giving your client adequate time to communicate their needs is one of the demands of our client-centered form of care.

Being able to motivate a client will be an important skill for us to learn and strengthen. This article discusses some great tips to use. Undoubtedly, we will need them one day! ;)

No doubt this will be needed! Motivating a client is another vurtue we will have to master. Maybe our southern charm will help? :)

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 may be a short article, but it is packed with good information. It answers the question "what can OT do for the cardiac patient?". A good reference for clients and a good reference for practitioners.

I learned about this cool, FREE app, at the TNOTA conference during our students presentation. You basically download it and it allows you to choose a vision impairment (from the list provided) and you can then experience how the client w/that particular vision impairment sees. You can scan your surroundings using your camera feature. It even allows you to control the severity of the symptoms. This tool is not only great for educating yourself, but can be an extremely beneficial tool when educating family members on what their loved one is experiencing on a daily basis.

you can also download using itunes for ipad or i phone as well. (i just happen to have an android)

This AOTA article defines "restraint", provides information on the role of OT in regards to providing restraint reduction or elimination, and lists common environments where this type of intervention takes place. By assessing what client-centered modifications, as well as environmental modifications, can be made, occupational therapy looks for ways "around" the use of restraints in order to enhance the client's engagement and participation in meaningful occupations.

This article gives a case study of a patient and imformation on different types of meds taken if someone has a cardiopulmonary disease.

I found this article to be very interesting. It supplies tips on bathing for patients that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. These patients tend to be resistant to a bath but I feel many clients are. When you think about someone bathing you it takes away all your dignity and privacy. This article gives us tips to make this a more comfortable situation for 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.

Although not curable, RA symptoms can be alleviated by the same relaxation and breathing techniques we have already learned. Cold and warm compresses can be used to help with inflammation and pain. Mind/body therapies have been shown to be of great help to those with RA. Progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, and biofeedback are all good techniques to teach our clients when traditional medications are not enough. Also, these techniques can be used in many other areas.

This website from the American College of Rheumatology provides fast facts re: appropriate exercises for those who suffer from arthritis. What exercises are helpful and safe, who should exercise and which exercises are best, when to exercise and how to get started. Good info to know and share with potential clients in the future

This is the website that our Phys Dys book provides regarding the ROM Dance Program. It incorporates medically recommended joint exercises and gentle movement and is used with clients with arthritis as well as other physical impairments as a warm up or cool down for more involved therapy. It appears you must be certified to teach the dance.

This is an interesting association called Adaptive Design Association that works with PT, OT, and parents to help make your own adaptive equipment out of cardboard and other resources.  You can design specific and client centered equipment that is very cost effective.     Truly amazing!