RSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

I choose this article because it is about gerontology (study of aging) which describes two theories of aging: one is natural aging that programmed in our body and the other one says that aging is a result of damage which accumulated over time. In this article we also can find information on how to take care of our body as we age, how to prevent age-related diseases and ilnesses.

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.

CDC's public health activities to prevent and control disease include a substantial focus on chronic disease management. Advance care planning can be a gift you give yourself and your family. It is about doing what you can to ensure that your wishes and preferences are consistent with the health care treatment you might receive if you were unable to speak for yourself or make your own decisions.

This is very interesting research that has been done on studying how many older adults using technology. Statistically 68% of adults age 75 and older are using internet.Well educated and financially stable seniors adapt internet faster that those with lower education and income. Seniors that not using internet find that they are missing a lot of valuable information. It finds that 35% of adult Internet users now have a profile on at least one social networking site.

I found this website is very interesting because like most of us I have an older parents.The one of the most difficult decisions children have to make is to place his or her aging parent in long term care facility. This website provides different tips on how to keep seniors in their regular place of residence as long as possible. The organization PACE that covered under Medicare or Medicaid provides necessary services, include adult day program, transportation, activities and medical help. As a future OT practitioners we may recommend this website to our clients.

I found this website when I was looking for ideas on adaptive equipment project. There are a lot helpful tips that anybody can use to assist themselves with daily activities, such as preparing food, hygiene, computer use, bathing, etc.

This article, on the University of Georgia's University Health Center website is geared toward students, however I believe many of the principles listed can carry over in other areas of life, not just academic. The article addresses mindset, nutrition, exercise, spirituality, and other aspects of lifestyle that can affect how we deal with stress.

Reduced mobility has "profound social, psychological, and physical consequences." Some simple tests and questions can indicate a senior person's level of mobility.

I found this article, from 1998, that compared the "responsiveness" of the FIM and the Barthel Index in patients with MS and patients who had experienced stroke. The authors state that "he aim of this study is to compare the appropriateness and responsiveness of the BI and the FIM in patients with multiple sclerosis and stroke patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation."

We have talked quite a bit in our classes about types and uses of Assistive Technology. I came across this website that gives an overview of laws and how they provide for assistive devices. While the website is geared toward families of children, the information can also be beneficial in educating adult clients of their rights as well.

Note- in order to view this article online, you must be a member of AOTA. This article talks about how different people may define the word "home" differently and how that definition can impact someone's ability to safely "age-in-place" and how a person's home environment can impact a person's engagement in meaningful occupations.

This article talks about independent aging and living at home for as long as possible is always preferable to residing in a rest home, where you are away from what is familiar and existing in a hospital-like environment. But, you may have some natural fears to being home alone, just in case something happens. Just thought this article tied in to the upcoming home assessments

Neurological Disorders Many illnesses target the nervous system, affecting mobility, speech and skill, just as in stroke. Rehabilitation plays a key role in providing treatment and improving symptoms. Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research across the country to study neurological disorders.

"Getting old doesn't have to be a drag, if you keep these simple facts in mind." Thought this was cute and to funny not to share. I meant to post it a couple of days ago, but I only put it on fb and forgot to add it to here! Enjoy : )

Cadey, I can't stop laughing! That was awesome!

This was written for college students with disabilities as a resource for instructors. It can be used for any age classroom. It covers the areas that are difficult to students with mobility issues or other disabilities and how to interact. A number of devices are listed that can be helpful. I really thought the list of injuries or diseases and their characteristics that will be of importance was great to include. A nice resource for the classroom.

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,

I thought this article described ergonomics in the workplace very well, along with being short and to the point. I would recommend it to someone who had not heard of the term before and just wanted to get an overall better understanding of it, without doing a lot of research.

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 an awesome video narrated by an OT student who is a paraplegia.  Nicole gives a look into the adaptive equipment she uses to get around in her daily occupations.  This video shows car adaptations, standing machine, wheelchair cushions, and how she travels via airplane and taxi.  Nicole gives a good explanation of these devices.

That was an absolutely great video Kellie!