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This is a great list of energy conservation tips ideas for patients. I thought this was a great reference list since we were discussing cardiopulmonary patients who really need to learn about energy conservation. This breaks down the ideas into: Rearrange Your Environment, Elminate Unneccessary Effort, Planning Ahead, and Priortizing. This is a great reference list for energy conservation.

Actually, I can and in some cases do, use these tips as well! Gotta save that energy.

Since many of the oncology patients an OT practitioner would treat experience fatigue, I thought it would be appropriate to post an article related to energy conservation. I found this one to be particularly interesting because the writer interviewed real people who are incorporating energy conservation techniques into their own lives. I realize it is naïve of me, but I never really thought about the resistance that a patient might have to slowing down and the emotional response this might create. This article gives an interesting perspective.

Helpful list of some energy conservation techniques we can use in our practice

This study explores how effective energy conservation techniques are for three tasks: shopping for groceries with a grocery bag vs. a shopping cart, washing clothes while standing vs. sitting, and hanging clothes to dry at shoulder height vs. waist height. The subjects were divided by age; one group was 60 or < and the other group was over 60. Read this article to find out why two of the EC techniques benefited only the younger group. This study raises interesting questions about considering clients' contexts before suggesting EC techniques.

This video is performed by a PT, but she gives good example of how to conserve energy with daily tasks

Here is a list of ways that you can educate your patient on how to conserve energy throughout the day.

This is a great handout to keep in our tool box. The majority of patient's these days need to be able to conserve energy while they heal. In our fast paced society it is hard for people to slow down. EC techniques are useful for our clients and ourselves at times.

Our occupational therapists aim to make your job easier and better. We define your "job" as anything you do to occupy your time, and which you feel is important to your quality of life.( Cancer Treatment Center of America)

This information is not only important for us as future practitioners, but also useful for those in our personal lives that may be living with arthritis. This is also beneficial for those with conditions where energy conservation is essential to one's well-being and quality of life.

I pulled this from the AOTA website, you must log in to view. I thought this article reaffirms what we have been discussing in class about the role of the OT practitioner in treating patients with COPD. Our main focus is energy conservation (which may include task simplification, deep breathing techniques, and implementing adaptive equipment). This article is not very long and provides a nice WHY we are doing what we are doing.

Occupational Therapy play a very important role with patients dealing with a cancer diagnosis. OT can help with energy conservation issues, pain, weakness, psychosocial, and physical impairments. Quality of life and independence are key. OT can be of service to people newly diagnosed, in cancer treatment, or in hospice. What I needed reminding of was that OT can help those that have survived, especially the psychosocial aspect.

This article discusses the specific areas and goals that occupational therapists may address with cancer patients. I thought the writer did a great job explaining what occupational therapy is and why the field is so important. This would be a good resource for later on if I ever go on to interview for a job in oncology, would be a nice review of how impactful OT can be.

I like the format and content of this article. The format is a chart that is easily readable and useful for both the new therapist starting out and a handy guide to give a patient. It is educational in that it reminds and teaches in a clear concise way. There are many tips for home safety and energy conservation. Enjoy!

Sometimes we can get stuck on ways our clients can save energy. This short list is ideas how every client can improve endurance for other activities by changing the way they eat and get ready.

I know that you are probably wondering what hoarding has to do with OT, but after reading this article on the topic I can see that there is a definite need for OT practitioners. Therapy can include education on increasing home safety by reducing clutter (and tripping hazards) and removing detritus to reduce likelihood of health hazards such as mold and household pests. Since the psychology of hoarding is oftentimes complex, the OT can also work with a team of other professionals to help the client address the underlying issues causing the hoarding. Even the removal of the clutter can be part of therapeutic activity and can be used to train the client on energy conservation as well as frustration tolerance.