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.

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.

This video shows a novel technique for addressing deficits in clients with Parkinson's disease. Although not OT specific, utilizing dance and movement in therapy is of course something that we can be doing in therapy, especially if dancing is an occupation that the client finds important. Groups like the one in this video are not only good for increasing endurance, strength, and concentration, but being connected with other individuals with Parkinson's is beneficial as well.

A Taiwanese designer named Sha Yao began her project in creating tableware for Alzheimer's patients due to her grandmothers deteriorating condition. She based her designs and color usage due to a study finding that the use of bright colors increased the amount of food and liquid consumed by patients. Every piece of the tableware is designed with dementia patients in mind. Some of the adaptive silverware and plates with lips should look familiar from our pediatrics class!

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.

We've learned a lot about the importance for children with sensory processing disorders to receive OT in our pediatrics class this semester, but often when those disorders go untreated they persist into adulthood. This webpage discusses the ties that SPD in adults have to higher likelihood of anxiety and depression and overall poorer quality of life. The page discusses the importance of OT intervention in desensitization training, education, and reduction of any negative coping strategies developed by those adults. Very interesting read.

Although this is basically a commercial for this specific brand of conversion kit, the idea behind converting an existing tub into a walk-in shower for those who struggle to get into their own tub is a good one. Using a method similar to this is more cost-effective than installing an entirely new shower and is much safer for individuals who don't have the flexibility or strength to step into a traditional tub.

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 is not from an OT-specific source, but rather is a posting from a movement/dance coach who offers a unique perspective on the specific sensory needs of aging men. Reading this posting reminded of something my dad has always said about the importance of men having a space where they can work and be "themselves." Whether or not you agree with that sentiment, I think that it is important to remember that men/women/people all have different needs and oftentimes it takes different approaches to meet those needs.

This webpage has a simple and easy-to-read infographic that covers a lot of problem areas around the house for post-surgery ambulation for individuals with joint replacement. My father recently had a L TKA and I sent him and my mother this link so that they could make any changes around the house that were necessary for safety.

I know it may be a faux pas to post an article from a PT website, but the article offers a lot of cool advice regarding house features that are beneficial for individuals with less muscle strength and endurance (whether they be seniors or otherwise physically disabled). The article goes through all areas of the house and highlights common problem areas and how they've been adapted. OT plays a big role in home safety evals, and this site offers a lot of wisdom on the topic.

This infographic offers information on apps that would be beneficial for an aging population. Two apps that stuck out to me were the "Pillboxie" app that helps with medication management and "Silver Surf" which is an adapted web browser that includes larger navigation buttons and white-on-black graphics which allow for better viewing in all lighting situations.

This is an image/handout from Pinterest that helps to explain some ways that a client can self manage symptoms of COPD with basic breathing exercises.

Having recently learned more about end-of-life care and the psychosocial elements that come into play when treating people with fatal illnesses, this site offers advice that could help family and caregivers to communicate in a way that is sensitive to the situation of the client.

This article discusses a novel way of treating burns that will allow patients to use stem cells taken from their own marrow to heal their wounds. Before this method, skin grafting was the main way to address serious second degree and third degree burns and often led to more extensive recovery and limited ROM when placed over joints. This treatment could allow for deeper healing and better recovery for burn victims.

This article discusses the ways that cold therapy can not only be used as a modality for healing but also recovery of muscle after working out. Thermal modalities can benefit people from all walks of life and diagnoses that range from extreme to everyday soreness and breakdown of muscle. Discussed are full cold water immersion, contrast therapy, and using swimming as recovery.

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.

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.

After reading about desensitization I was interested in learning more and, lo and behold, our favorite Amputee OT had a great video on the topic! She talks about the importance of massage, tapping, and using different types of fabric to help with hypersensitivity (desensitization) of the residual limb. She also touches on some exercises that are used to help prepare a residual limb for weight-bearing during use of prosthesis.

There has been a technology boom in wearable fitness trackers lately and I was curious to see if there was anything available to individuals who use a wheelchair as their main mode of transportation, whether due to LE amputations, spinal injury, etc. I came across this company who has created a fitness tracker specially designed for those who use a wheelchair. It not only maps incline, speed, heart rate and distance, but also aggregates data used for terrain mapping. This info can be used to give options for routes based on ease of maneuverability and safety.