RSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Even though we don't deal a lot with our patients medications. I did think this was an interesting tool. You type in the drug and other common medications to see if their is an interaction between the drugs. My grandmother currently has issues with interactions between certain medications and this will be a great tool for my mother to use.

I have actually seen this on Zulily as a white elephant gift for Christmas. However, its a lot more realistic then drinking out of the same cup everyday. These grips can be put on almost any drink. The design makes it even easy to slide in your purse or maybe even your pocket.

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!

I think teaching someone how to tie shoes is one of the most complex things ever! Here is a step by step instructional page on how to tie laces with one hand. This even gives written and visual instructions! :)

I like this handout cause it doesn't look like a medical handout! It looks fun and those that just had an amputation need a good laugh. The handout is a cartoon which makes it a little more interesting.

Neuro- sensor in the brain helps woman control prosthetic hand. This was posted years ago but the idea of this is pretty neat. The monitor seems fairly large to be comfortable though.

Here is a sheet that shows what area of the hand is affected with certain arthritic dx. I am a visual learner and this makes it easier to understand what movements are limited.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 conclude a no-restriction protocol does not increase the incidence of early dislocation after primary THA."

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!

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.

Wow, I love this program and its philosophy! I wish there was one like that in the Knoxville area. Have you seen my post about dance and occupational therapy?