Caregiver by Design

Are you thinking that you are stuck in pediatrics because it is all you know? Do you think that the transition to working with adults is too far of a stretch for you? This episode reviews 5 reasons that pediatric therapists are exceptional with the adult rehab population. You may find that you are exactly what your adult patient has been waiting for.

1. Developmental progression focus: your eye and clinical mind are in tune with the foundations that you need for advancing your patient to meet the goals. A holistic perspective of the patient and their quality of movement is something that is often missed but makes an amazing difference.
2. Creativity: thinking quickly with creatively to be able to change your initial plans for treatment to suit the environmental and clinical needs of the patient,
3. Patient driven sessions: a pediatric therapist is accustomed to flowing with activity directed by the child's interest and energy levels. This is a refreshing approach for adults who are often treated with the same activity session after session.
4. Progression of activity: A pediatric therapist has had the ability to work with their patient longer which gives them a better long-range perspective that makes goal setting and achievement for the adult much more holistic.
5. Comfort in using your hands: pediatric handling skills are a welcome change to the adult patient who will feel more comfortable with a therapist who is comfortable with therapeutic touch and handling for facilitated movement and feedback.

Training to make the leap into adult rehab: CHF, COPD, Diabetes, orthopedic rehab of the UE, vitals, and pharmaceuticals. Getting some insight from experts will increase your comfort level when you get into the field on your own and help you know what to look for and how to intervene optimally.
Need a fresh perspective as a long time adult rehab professional? check out some pediatric courses and get a whole new perspective that will change how you approach your patient.

If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining

Do you feel like you don't know enough about the pelvic floor and that means you don't have a role in training your patients appropriately? Let this episode reassure you that knowing just enough to get your patient started can make a world of difference. You can coach them through basic motions and muscle activation to increase awareness, increase relaxation and control. I gained some basic knowledge from an online video course and putting it to use proved effective in my treatment sessions, giving my patients a feeling of success.

• types of incontinence
• urinary retention
• minimize fall risk by improving continence
• simple clinical assessments you can do
• simple exercises with and without equipment

the online course that improved my effectiveness: https://summit-education.com/course/PELVCL.1/functional-pelvic-floor-training-for-weakness-pain-and-dysfunction-in-men-women-and-older-adults#/onlinevideo/6-ceus
see this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkf3lSUFi2ER0_i33go5k2g?view_as=subscriber

If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining

Covid 19 has drastically changed what seems like everything in just one week. In my first week of treating patients in their homes during the Covid 19 crisis that gripped the nation; I found many things had to change in regard to providing therapy but first and foremost was my mindset. Patient safety remains the first priority. What has been most important during this first week of battling the Covid 19 crisis has been:

• maintaining patient trust
• demonstrating consistent precaution use
• focus on the benefits of OT for every patient and validate the medical necessity
• panic vs gratitude mindset

Many therapists around the globe have lost their jobs in this crisis. Now what? This could be the opportunity to make a life change that you have been waiting for. Use every challenge like this current crisis as an opportunity to strengthen who you are and what you have to offer.

If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining

Knowing where your patient is safest and what to do when their home is not it.
There will be times that this is going to mean that you make a call to your local adult protective services department. Knowing when that is the right call to make and how to proceed can be a challenge but in this episode, I share my experiences with it and go through the steps of assessing when it is time to call. The OT has a role of maximizing a patient's independence and quality of life in any setting. Working with the patient's care managers, social workers and interdisciplinary healthcare providers on the homecare team will direct you in helping your patient find the best option for independence and safety.
https://www.napsa-now.org/ adult protective services
https://www.verywellhealth.com/geriatric-care-manager-job-description-197837 care manager information

If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining

Over the years I have found that there are a few simple but powerful things that hold my patients back from optimal function. These may sound simple but they make a big difference. Each of these affect a persons ability to complete their daily tasks, personal care, functional mobility and general wellness.

1. crossing your ankle over your opposite knee: this simple motion makes it possible to get your clothing over your feet ( pants, socks , shoes) and it makes it easier to wash your feet and so much more. The mobility of the hip and knee in combination for this position is often lacking due to tightness, pain or anatomy. It can be improved and every little percentage of improvement makes a difference
2. getting up from a chair the right way: pushing from the surface that you sit, using your hands at your sides instead of pulling up from something in front of you. Using the right muscles in your legs and shifting your weight over your feet correctly will allow for rising from a seated surface with less risk of falling.
3. keep your ankles and toes moving: mobile ankles and toes improve balance. A stiff ankle will limit response time, increase trip hazard, shorten stride. Toe mobility is needed for balance in standing, reaching, walking and also for proper hygiene. take your wiggling toes for granted.
4. sleeping in bed: once people start sleeping in a recliner or other chair ( yes, this is more common than you would think) they lose important mobility that carries over into other areas of their daily mobility. It is also important for fluid reabsorption, true rest, spine and postural alignment and maintaining the use of key postural muscles that are used to get into and out of bed.
5. Hydration: water intake is enormously powerful and can not be overlooked. the lack of proper hydration leads to weakness, Urinary track infections, low blood pressure, feeling of faintness, fatigue and more. Unless you are on a water intake restriction from your MD for health reasons, the intake of this simple source is most likely a missing link to improved health and function.

These 5 areas are what I investigate first as an Occupational Therapist completing an assessment and they are the last things that I remind my patients to keep doing when they are no longer under the care and training of myself and other clinicians.
Your invited to comment and share with others on this FB group. Let me know what you need to know more about and where you need support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/658781718322974
Learn more about me and what I have to offer https://angierischpater.mykajabi.com/

If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining