RSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

We spend a lot of time sitting at our desks every day, and while it may not look like it, it can wreak havoc with our bodies. Here's how to set up a healthy, ergonomic workspace to keep you comfortable and injury-free.

This article is short, but provides definition for Assistive Technology and the different devices that could be used. Just thought this would be helpful to refer to because there are different levels from low levels to high levels.

I like this….makes a good cheat sheet…will be saving for future reference.

I just wanted you all to see this video what AT has done for many people, including Nick. This video is just so neat.

Loved that video Cadey!

Very inspiring!

This short article discusses that scientist have discovered a new region of the brain that controls a person's motivation.  The tiny region, the dorsal medial habenula has been discovered to control the desire to exercise in mice.  This discovery can have huge implications in the way we treat mental illness.

The Job Accommodation Network put this information together because the number of workers over 65 is going to increase dramatically as the baby boomers age. The benefits for hiring an older worker are listed as well as the laws protecting workers. This is a nice resource for those older workers to know what rights they have and what accommodations are even available. Some accommodations cover ADLs, weakness or fatigue, hearing limitations, vision limitations, psychological issues, to name a few. I thought it was really helpful that a few situations were presented with possible solutions. Also, for the consumer, is a link to products for accommodation options.

I just found these facts, not sure how accurate they are but since we are talking about aging I found them pretty neat. One of the facts that stood out to me was that there was a study that shows people are happiest in early 20's and then again in 70's and 80's.. It states the reason is because by that age we have built social and emotional instincts that keep us from worrying about little things.

This article discusses a study/clinical trial evaluating whether stimulating the brain before rehab could yield greater gains in motor function. In this process called TMS therapy they apply an electromagnetic current to excite the brain, which they believe slows activity in the healthy area of the brain, which can become overly active after a stroke. They want to improve all aspects of the weak arm such as ROM and strength and to see at the end of the study if it would help with ADL's.

Since we have been talking about aging in place, checl out some of these latest gadgets. I always thought of it as remodeling your home and being comfy in your home. There is so much more to it. Check out these gadgets. Everything from monitoring sleeping habits to knowing how many times a day you brush your teeth.

A new study from UC San Francisco is the first to show that while the impact of life's stressors accumulate overtime and accelerate cellular aging, these negative effects may be reduced by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and sleeping well.

This document discusses the risks of falls in the older population and why prevention is so important. It goes on to explain how to develop a community based fall prevention program and the necessary components such as education, exercise, medication management, home assessment and home safety. Great resource with a lot of information about fall prevention.

Does LIfe End at 35? I say not! I enjoyed reading this article about a man who said his career didn't even take off until he was 58. He accomplished many great things later in his life vs earlier in his life. I think people, and I am speaking for myself get hung up on age. I worry too much about my age and what I have not accomplished at my age. This article brought to my attention that age is just a number! You can accomplish many great things at any age!

This was a good article to read about active aging. Active aging is continuing to participate socially, with families and friends, spiritual, economic affairs, etc. Being active as we age can help extend our life expectancy and quality of life. This article was a good reminder to me to stay active in my community, with my family, church family and friends as I age so as not to isolate myself as I grow older.

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.

There are several things in life that we as individuals must face, there is no way to avoid it and that is aging. As we age, some people prepare for it and others don't. This article offers information as to how to live healthier to help avoid the inevitable. It offers information on how to help avoid cancer, cardiovascular problems, and many others. And in our lives it may be inevitable that we get these problems, BUT we can sure start now to try to keep from getting them as we age.

This article is from the AOTA. It explains to the consumer how occupational therapy is beneficial to a person after having a hip replacement regarding what OT will do for them, what to expect from your OT/OTA and how instrumental OT services can help them regain their daily activities.

This article made some great points about growing old and feeling old. Age is relative. Our bodies start to betray us as we age, but that is part of life. However, growing older doesn't mean we should stop living. I believe that when a person begins to put limitations on their selves is when one becomes "old".

I had never heard of a healthy aging program, but found it very interesting! What a great idea. It incorporates all of the activities and education that an older adult could be looking for. I know there's probably not many out there in our more rural communities, but it is an awesome program to keep the young at heart healthy and involved in all aspects of their lives.

I am very passionate about my parents aging in place, so this article caught my eye.

As we age, our needs and interests evolve and change, so our choices of housing should be wide ranging, as should be the spectrum of activities and services. Most older adults wish to remain in their homes and communities as they age.

I chose this article because when I was at Keystone, an adult day program in Oak Ridge, I saw the benefit of this program in allowing seniors with physical and cognitive deficits to remain at home, or in assisted living, for longer periods of time. I liked this article's emphasis on integration of many programs to age in place successfully.

This post is about what some people define as "successful aging" and what can contribute to physical and emotional heath as you age.