Introduction Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centered approach resolute to assist individuals in attaining their highest occupational performance (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014c). Driving and aging is an emerging topic of interest for occupational therapists (OTs) (AOTA, 2007). According to the Administration on Aging (AOA) (2013), by the year 2030 the number of 65 year olds and older in the United States will be 72.1 million, which is a 32.5 million increase compared to 2009’s census. With such a substantial growth among this population, the amount of geriatric drivers that will be on the road in 2030 will also increase substantially. Occupational therapists presently play a vital role in this area of practice as evidenced by the current partnership with AARP and CarFit. OT’s role includes driver rehabilitation addressing all age groups that hold a driver’s license, dementia being one of the largest populations. Conversely, OT’s role in assessing driving for clients with dementia is not clearly defined in evidence based practice (EBP). A systematic review of the literature by Furman, Kim, Paolino, Patel, & Torres (2013), revealed that there was a lack of scholarly evidence based practice and peer-reviewed literature related to occupational therapists’ role in driver rehabilitation, specifically with clients diagnosed with cognitive deficits such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, the gap between scholarly work and practice is clear however, the nature of the gap remains unclear. For this reason, a needs assessment is essential to systematically identify the reasoning for this lack of evidence and encourage further research in this area.. In order to prepare for a future needs assessment... ... middle of paper ... ... to practice. (3rd edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Strzelecki, M.V. (2010, July 12). The dementia care difference. OT Practice. Retrieved from http://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Publications/OTP/2010/OTP%20Vol%2015%20Issue%2012.pdf Tomlin, G., & Borgetto, B. (2011). Research pyramid: A new evidence-based practice model for occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(2), 189–196. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.000828 Uc, E.Y., Rizzo, M., Anderson, S.W., Shi, Q., Dawson, J.D. (2004). Driver route-following and safety errors in early Alzheimer disease, Neurology, 63(5),832-7. Unsworth, C. A., Pallant, J. F., Russell, K. J., Germano, C., & Odell, M. (2010). Validation of a Test of Road Law and Road Craft Knowledge With Older or Functionally Impaired Drivers. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 64(2), 306–315.
Though occupation usually refers to a job, a person’s occupation is initially determined by what their everyday life consists of. When a person becomes incapable of performing the tasks that they are expected to do in their everyday life due to developmental delays, physical injury, or psychological problems they are often referred to an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists, or OTs, usually have occupational therapy assistants, often called OTAs. The OT gives the OTA a set of objectives to help the patient achieve. Since people go through numerous occupations during the course of their lives, OT’s and OTA’s prov...
Rehabilitation: Provide adaptations and modifications for physical and cognitive dysfunction. Developmental: Theoretical Assumptions Human development occurs in an orderly fashion throughout the cycle. Steps within the developmental process are sequential and none can be skipped. Client-Centered Frame of Reference: This Frame of Reference is developed from the work of Carl Rogers. It views the client as the center of all therapeutic activity, and the client's needs and goals direct the delivery of the Occupational Therapy
Sacket et al, cited in, Duncan, E,A,S, (2006) Foundtions for practice in Occupational Therapy, 4th edition, Elsevier Ltd.
THE ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IMPROVING INDEPENDENCE FOR ADULTS WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY IN THEIR LOCALITY
Occupational Therapy takes a client-centered approach to each individual and unique client. This client is Martha. She is 78. She was admitted to the hospital after suffering a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke. It began when she experienced a choking episode and weakness in her right side. The CVA resulted in right hemiplegia and aphasia. Martha has partial paralysis in the right half of her body and cannot verbally communicate. Her primary role is a homemaker. She graduated with a high school education but never pursued a profession. She is the wife of a healthy and supportive 80 year old man. He intends to care for her at home with private assistance. Some of Martha’s meaningful occupations are playing games such as bingo, solitaire and bridge. She also finds satisfaction in tending to her garden.
It can be given to anyone who wants to learn about occupational therapy in the psychosocial aspect. When I am working in the field and someone wants to learn more about what I do and what my career includes, I can give them this article to get a basic understanding of what I do. After a person reads this article, I can highlight some of the main points in the article to give them a better understanding of what is occupational therapy is in the psychosocial aspect. It is important for me to keep this article on hand because if someone wants to look up what I do and they do not know where to begin, I can give them this article to read to get a basic understanding of what I do and they can get an idea of what to research. This article is not only for clients and client’s friends and family, but it can be used for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistances. This article can be used as a refresher for a therapist if they are having a hard time remembering something about this
Occupational therapy was based off of psychology; we evolved from treating mentally ill patients with isolation as an efficient treatment plan. We must never forget we are known to be “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2008). To other professional disciplines this article explains the difference between each of us, yet can also express our relation to one another. The basic goal of all therapeutic disciplines is to better our clients life, through physical, speech or occupational therapy. Every discipline targets different goals, may it be body mechanics, reducing a stutter or buttoning a shirt, at the end of the day our clients well being may it be through science, art or both is all that matters. To the occupational therapy field this article means progress for what we do. Reading this article today in the year 2015 did not seem like old information to me, it is still relevant, I am proud that our field is not only evolving with contemporary time but it is also maintaining its
Loss of motor skills is common among people when they get older, which increases dramatically after age 65. Motor skills are functions that involve the precise movement of muscles in order to perform a certain task. In a psychology study where 24 young adults were tested against 24 senior citizens, the evidence suggested that in addition to general slowing, the elderly have troubles with motor skills because they execute movement sequences as a series of individual movements and not as a combined pattern. When people execute individual movements, it makes it harder to multi-task which is a necessity while driving on the road. Having to control brakes, gas, steering, lane changes, turning, head checks, and many other assortment of tasks while driving, takes a toll on elderly people with diminishing motor skills. Another major contributing factor to deterioration of motor skills is change in cognitive function. One basic cognitive function that is severely...
People across the world participate in recovery programs every day. Dedicated people in professions, such as occupational therapy, work to help each person regain his or her ability to engage in everyday activities. One wishing to pursue a career in occupational therapy would first need to evaluate the career and the significant effects on themselves and the clients.
Cole, M. B., & Tufano, R. (2008). Applied theories in occupational therapy: A practical approach. Thorofare, New Jersey, United States of America: Slack Inc.
When I was 15, my grandmother suffered from a severe stroke and was advised to go to a rehabilitation center. At that time I had not ever heard of the profession called occupational therapy. Upon visiting my grandmother, I had the opportunity to witness several health care professionals working together to help rehabilitate her. I have always wanted to engage in a career in which I could attribute to helping people, and at first I thought physical therapy would best compliment my natural abilities but then I encountered the occupational therapist. So as I watched her work with my grandmother diligently I realized that I had found exactly what I was looking for.
Ever since the invention of the automobile, numerous efforts have been employed to try and improve its safety features. Judging by the current statistics, one could argue that driving has so far turned out to be a risky business. In actual fact, people of all ages and social status are considered to be in control of lethal weapons whenever they have to drive. According to the National Safety Council, it is estimated that more than 41,000 people lose their lives in road accidents annually and no less than 2 million more suffer from serious life threatening injuries (2009). Furthermore, it is estimated that at least 50% of the people killed in road accidents is as a result of their failure to adhere to safety measures such as wearing seatbelts while driving, driving under the influence, or careless driving (Ingalls, “Defensive Driving Strategies”). As an effect, huge losses occur with respect to life, injuries sustained, and damage to property.
Mature drivers, although experienced, have diminished senses, like vision or hearing. The mobility of mature drivers is limited and the reaction time is slower compared to a younger driver. Defensive driving techniques for young drivers are to not drive faster than what you are experienced or let other people in the car distract you. Defensive driving techniques for mature drivers are to use their experience as a guide to handle road situations. Mature drivers should try to avoid driving during the night or when traffic is heavy.
...o learn how to drive or find other means of transportation since he is no longer able to drive safely and letting him do so will put the health of himself and other people at risk. Tackling these issues from the beginning will allow the person with AD to help the caregiver to prepare for the future.
O’Brien, J. C., & Hussey S. M. (2012). Introductory questions. Introduction to occupational therapy (4-5). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.