RSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

Who would have thought a National Council on Aging! There are all kinds of resource linked to this sight. I can see how this could be a great resource for those who are aging or caring for those who are. If you scroll down to the section on "I want to stay healthy" you can click on a list of ways to "restart living." This section helps those who may need to re-evaluate their life and provides direction to encourage them to recognize that they still have something to live for

This is a great site for the older adult or caregiver to find numerous resources. From money management, transportation, job searches, fall preventions and much more. I know I will refer to it in my future practices and thought I would share.

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!

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.