Single Caregiver Method to Donning Adult Disposable Briefs for Dependent Patients Out of Bed

There are 2 main type of adult disposable briefs, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Patients would usually purchase the pull-up kind that resembles regular underwear and not have to manage adhesive sticky tabs on the sides/wings. In the hospital, you would often encounter the “diaper” style that does have the sticky tabs. I have come … Read more

Plastic Bag Trick for Compression Stockings – Occupational Therapy

Plastic Bag Trick Featured

Compression stockings can very helpful for people with lymphedema in their legs. Putting on compression stockings by yourself, for a family member, or patient can be challenging. Even for an experienced person, putting on compression stockings requires a lot of flexibility, coordination, fine motor control and strength, and patience. Over time, this can lead to decreased motivation to continue wearing compression stockings. This video demonstrates a much easier way to put compression stocks using commonly found plastic bags around the house.

Additional tips:

Consider your positioning for easier reach and comfort.

If you are putting a compression stocking on for yourself, consider elevating your feet on a footstool or by sitting on the edge of a bed.

If you are helping someone put on compression stockings, have them sit across from you with their feet on your lap. This is much easier than kneeling down on the ground to them someone and also give you better leverage to pull the compression stockings on.

After showers, wet feet can make it difficult to put on compression stockings. Ensure that feet are properly dried prior to putting on compression stockings.

Baby powder or other types of power can help with putting on compression stockings.

If you do not have a plastic bag handy, you can still put on compression stockings by inverting the top part of the sock down to the ankles.

Stretch the stretch out as you put them on.

Remember to smooth out all the wrinkles when finished!

Dorsiflexion Assist Wrap Instructions for Occupational Therapy

Dorsiflexion Assist Wrap Instructions for Occupational Therapy

product image of ace wrap for dorsiflexion with occupational therapy

This video shows how occupational therapists can use an ACE wrap for dorsiflexion assist during gait training and for ADLs.

Benefits

  • Cheap alternative to trial instead of fitting for an orthotic during the trial phase.
  • Easily accessible (found it most supply rooms or rehab shelves).
  • Quick to don/doff on patients, with or without pants (hospital gown on).
  • Works with different or no footwear (socks or shoes).
  • Low risk of skin breakdown or injuries.

Hep2go – Sustainable Workaround for Free Patient Home Exercise Handouts

Tired of drawing stick figures with arrows for exercise handouts? My PT colleagues have shown me a wonderful resource – hep2go.com It allows you to create customized exercises with user-generated images and input the number of reps/sets. It is pretty straightforward and has an easy learning curve. The handouts are meant to be printed out … Read more