Speaking of.....OT

Re-Admits Yesterday was a tough day at work. Two of our patients who were discharged a few weeks, were readmitted due to another fall at home. This made me wonder about the safety of elders after they are discharged to return home. The patients are assured with the prospects of home health services or a caregiver, however neither those resources are everlasting. Without family support or the inability to hire a full-time caregiver, the patient is eventually left to take care of themselves. As much as we promote independence in our patients and teach them compensatory ways to increase safety awareness, ultimately they require ongoing attention. A typical patient will spend a few days at the hospital, then approximately another month at a rehab facility where they're provided with a structured schedule and more importantly, a safe environment. Most of the patients I have seen in my short time as a therapist, I have noted that as  much as they look forward to being in their own hom...

..And I'm back!  Sincere apologies folks for not having updated the blog in a long while. There are a few great topics I have been working on to post, however before we get to that I just want to give everyone an update on what's happening in the world of Occupational Therapy. Below are some very important events taking place in the near future. Please get invo lved and help spread our profession of OT! National School Backpack Awareness Day - September 19, 2012 Join AOTA in helping others Live Life To Its Fullest by avoiding the pain and injury that can come from heavy backpacks and bags. Learn safety tips to stay protected from back pain throughout life and teach others how to properly choose, pack, lift, and carry various types of bags. Falls Prevention Awareness Day  - September 22, 2012  According to AOTA, falls are a leading cause of decreased independence, disability, and even accidental death among older adults. Occupational therapy practition...

One of the very first lectures I attended when I started graduate school was on falls and fall prevention. Since then, we have had numerous lectures on the topic. I’m starting to think the topic might just be something to make note of as OTs.   So, here’s a little synopsis on what I’ve managed to retain from those lectures, followed by a list of appropriate Assessments (click on the name to direct you to the website). Definition of fall: “A subject’s unintentionally coming to rest on the ground or on some other lower level, not as a result of major intrinsic event, for example, stroke or syncope or over whelming hazard that would result in a fall by most young, healthy persons” (Tinetti, et. Al., 1988). 33% of community dwelling elders, age 65 or older, fall at least 1 or more times a year, and the frequency increases with age. Falling leads to loss of mobility and independence; it affects all body systems. As occupational therapists, some things to take into considera...