Sleep Hygiene Tips Screen time: Turn off TVs, computers, tablets, smartphones, and game consoles one hour before bedtime Caffeine: Avoid caffeine 6-8 hours before bedtime Nicotine: Avoid nicotine before bedtime Alcohol: Avoid alcohol after dinner Sleeping Pills: Use sleep medications sparingly, their long-term effects are still unknown Exercise: Get regular exercise Shower/Bath: Take a hot … Read more
Occupational therapy still has a long way to go compared to other disciplines. During a discharge planning meeting, I had a patient on my caseload who would have benefitted from home health occupational therapy services. I believe they were Medicare. However, they were walking more than 300′ with an assistive device and would have been … Read more
Occupational therapists can consider intervention for sleep disturbances with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on modifying unhealthy sleep habits, decreasing autonomic and cognitive arousals, altering negative beliefs and attitudes about sleep, and educating patients about sleep hygiene. Research has supported the use of CBT as a nonpharmacologic treatment to sleep disturbance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy … Read more
Melatonin May shorten the amount of time it takes to fall asleep by 12 minutes. Does not appear to improve the percentage of time that a person actually spends sleeping. Overall considered “safe”, side effects may include: headache, feelings of depression, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, stomach cramps, and irritability Risks: bleeding disorders, depression, diabetes (effect … Read more
Upper Extremity Callus formation: 2-3 weeks Union: 4-6 weeks Lower Extremity Callus formation: 2-3 weeks Union: 8-12 weeks Union has indications for weight bearing Check for MD orders prior to mobilizing Terms: Stable: clinical union vs. Unstable Displaced: long axis does not align Open vs. closed: whether bone breaks skin Bookmark
Amputation is identified by which joint or long bone has been amputated. Above knee (AKA): transfemoral Below knee (BKA): transtibial Below ankle: transmetatarsal Above elbow: transhumeral Below elbow: transradial Below wrist: transmetacarpal Disarticulation: across a joint such as hip, wrist, elbow, or shoulder OT Dude Rant: A lot of old school doctors, nurses, therapists may … Read more
Etiology Most common mechanism of injury is a fall on an outstretched hand. The wrist usually lands in extension and the forearm in pronation. Facts Most common injury to the wrist May result in limited wrist flexion, extension, forearm pronation & supination External fixation may be used vs internal fixation Educate patient in active ROM … Read more
MoCA or Montreal Cognitive Assessment is an easy to administer screening tool for early detection of cognitive dysfunction. Conditions that the MoCA are commonly used for include Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and Stroke. Currently, any clinician, health professional, or worker can administer, score, and interpret the MocA should be trained and certified. Many practitioners may currently be using … Read more
Products listed are advertised by Amazon for paid affiliate product linking. Be sure to conduct your own research prior to recommendation. An assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Assistive technology services include the … Read more
Interventions for left neglect/inattention “The Dynavision is a large, computerized light board containing 64 small red square target buttons that light up randomly one at a time. The client searches the board to locate the lighted button. Once located, the client touches the button to extinguish the light. The target button beeps when it is … Read more