Group items tagged

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 is a great website and has pics of different positions for having sex in a wheelchair. I thought it was very interesting and shows stick figure graphics on ways I would never think of but can be used when educating patients. It also has hyperlinks to topics such as body image, relationships, sexual violence and harassment for those with disabilities.

Lisa, I saw that website too :). I liked that it had tabs on info for family, partners and doctors.

When we think about aging in place, or at least when I do, we think about the home. I found this article really interesting because it discusses the driving and mobility in the neighborhood aspect. Driving gives people independence, feelings of freedom, and the ability to participate in meaningful occupations and social roles. This is so important to being able to live life to the fullest!

I posted this video on facebook. Some people left mean comments about it but I still think it is a wonderful invention. It states in the description that it is not meant for highway use. It has given this woman back some of her independence and I think it is worth it. No, you probably do not want to drive down the interstate with it but it;s great for getting around town at a slow and steady speed.

This is to neat! Slow and steady is good, and getting some independence back in a very healthy thing for a person who is wheelchair bound.

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 have a huge problem with being able to delegate tasks and then I get so stressed out because I have 30 million things to do in a day. - This article talks about how we need to learn to delegate things and if we don't ever do it, the responsibilities are going to bog you down. It also talks about 3 ways to learn how to delegate in order to 'master' the process. I think this is a very handy tool that will get rid of some of the unnecessary stress!

This is a article out of AJOT. It is about OT in the and how we can help people reach maximum potential in work environments. It goes through and gives examples of how this can be done. Best of all it is what we just covered today. I think it is very important we understand our role in this area. It is actually something I did not really think about until Teri explained it so well today. Also, everyone was very engaged in the the discussion and it makes it so easy to learn that way. Thanks.

I know this does not have to do with anything we covered in Phys Dys. But I just wanted to make sure that everyone is aware of the advantages of joining AOTA. I think it is important for each of us to take part in this. I have had many tell me that our "fire" will die after a few years in the field, and being members of organizations will not be as important to us as it was as students. I want to challenge all of us, including myself, to break that stigma and make a difference. It has been an honor to be in class with all of you over the past three semesters, and you all have pushed me to become a better student and person. I feel we have a strong class, and all of you are very talented. Hopefully we will all stay in contact over the years, and who knows maybe even plan some reunions at the state/national conferences. I waited to post this until our assignment was almost over so I would not take up the feed. Take a second to make this commitment if you are a memeber, and if not think about joining. Thanks!

Throwing things through a pool noodle. I don't think it was made for OT, but I think it will definitely help with motor planning and visual perception skills.

I think everyone should watch this video that is working with cancer patients. Knowing what our patients might experience will be our biggest tool when treating.

Wow, this video really puts everything in perspective, especially the girl mentioning her still being worried about homework (day-to-day worries still causing her stress). Gives a unique perspective from young survivors of cancer as well. Typically when one thinks of cancer survivors they generally picture people who are older. I would imagine cancer patients that are younger may have some differing needs in terms of a practitioner's psychosocial approach. Great post!

this is a must see u tube video... created by a group of OT Student. It really makes you think of what it might be like if there was no OT in this world! * This may be of some help in writing the AOTA paper! *

What do you all think of it?

I'm sure most of us animal lovers in the program have seen this picture and heard the story, it is a couple of years old. But in my research with aquatic therapy for our papers it made me think about it and I wanted to post it on here for those who haven't seen/read about it. It is about a man who helps his very arthritic dog by taking him into Lake Superior when the water is at a warm temp.

Oh this was too sweet! We all have our lows and this was a simple way of showing someone that there are simple reasons all around us to keep pressing on and continuing in our daily occupations. Love being one of them. :)

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).

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.

Therapists We recognize that each patient you encounter has a unique set of needs. This is why we don't mass-produce anything and instead encourage you and your patient to think of SIRIS™ Splints as a toolkit for creative, thoughtful and sometimes completely original approaches to splinting.

Many people are concerned that if they assert themselves others will think of their behavior as aggressive. But there is a difference between being assertive and aggressive. Assertive people state their opinions, while still being respectful of others. Aggressive people attack or ignore others' opinions in favor of their own.

When facing potential stressors, the way we view what we're experiencing can exacerbate our stress--or minimize it! Reframing is a time-honored, psychologist-recommended method of looking at things in ways that create less stress and promote a greater sense of peace and control. Learn more about reframing techniques for stress management.

I think pinterest is a great place to get wonderful ideas to make your own assistive devices. This is cost effective for us as therapist and for our patients as well.

Looks like we had the same idea. I should have looked before I posted :/

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 :)