RICHES Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
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Social Participation: Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scales Assessment Tool and Intervention Guide
Get PDFThe aim of this capstone focused on the importance of social participation skills with middle school students, who qualify for special/exceptional education under the category of mild intellectual disability, for positive peer interaction, increase self-esteem, community entry and vocational employment during these first years of middle school. Upon surveying a variety of school-based occupational therapists, in both North and South Carolina, the conclusion of this capstone was to educate occupational therapy colleagues in using an evidenced-based assessment tool and interventions because the research found that these therapists are not assessing social participation and they are not providing interventions with this specific population of students. The literature provided for this capstone included in-depth investigation on the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) assessment tool, social participation theories and approaches, the occupational therapy framework and the SSIS intervention guide with these middle school students in the schools. The research for this capstone information originated from scholarly journals, evidenced-based databases, and academic resources. The pre and post survey provided the information needed to ensure the research educated the occupational therapists that participated, while providing results needed for completion of this capstone
Late Adulthood and Meaningful Occupation: The Relationship Between Quality of Life, Meaningful Activity, and Health
Get PDFEngagement in meaningful activity is critical to quality of life throughout the lifespan. Participation in such activity can become more challenging at retirement age due to a variety of health concerns and other issues. When an individual\u27s ability to engage in meaningful activity (life roles, leisure activities, activities of daily living, etc.) is diminished due to age related health concerns, injury, or other factors, the resulting barriers to participation in meaningful activity can cause greater damage to quality of life. An understanding of the role that meaningful activity plays in sustaining quality of life is crucial for motivating recovery of independence in the pursuit of meaningful activity. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners specialize in promoting and reestablishing engagement in meaningful activity. Additionally, the individual with diminished health and ability to engage in meaningful activity must often seek assistance from an OT practitioner. Furthermore, an understanding of the purpose of OT services is essential. In this study, a survey was administered to assess retirement-age adults\u27 perception of occupation, value of occupation, and understanding of the purpose of OT. The results were analyzed to find trends which may guide OT practitioners in promoting client quality of life
Music As a Modality to Improve Function and Participation in Occupational Therapy Services For Individual\u27s with Alzheimer\u27s-Dementia in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Get PDFCurrently, there is little research to support the positive effects on the use of music with individuals suffering from Alzheimer\u27s-Dementia. For individuals with Alzheimer\u27s-Dementia, further research is needed to explore treatment options appropriate for promoting occupational performance, and positive outcomes with participation in occupational therapy services. The following Capstone project will elaborate on an experimental study that identifies the benefits of utilizing a Music As a Modality program for individuals residing in a suburban area skilled nursing facility (SNF) that have the diagnosis of Alzheimer\u27s-Dementia. Research completed throughout this project will help to support the need for use of music with individuals with the Alzheimer\u27s diagnosis. The Music As a Modality used two subjects \u3e75 years old who resided in a SNF for six years. Results indicated positive outcomes with how music used as a modality prior to therapy intervention could enhance each individual\u27s performance in occupational therapy services over a period of ten days. Notable improvements in social interaction among peers, changes in physical presentation, and increased response to external stimuli in various forms proved to be a positive attempt at improved overall quality of life by way of musical stimulation. The aim of the project implementation within a SNF setting is to promote the individual\u27s emotional response, participation in skilled therapy services to meet outcome measures, reduce agitated responses present with the Alzheimer\u27s-Dementia diagnosis, enhance emotional well-being, and promote social interaction and participation within the SNF environment. Further findings indicated that continued research is warranted to support the need for Music As a Modality for Alzheimer\u27s-Dementia diagnosis, however, outcomes presented help to promote idea implementation within the SNF setting
Project H.0.P.E Helping Out People Everywhere through Occupational Therapy
Get PDFIn the community of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, there is a special needs orphanage in desperate need of assistance for children who have physical and/or intellectual difficulties; they lack the appropriate resources. These children and adolescents also lack various life skills due to either neurological or developmental disease. The diseases most commonly seen in the orphanage are severe cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Areas affected by these neurological or developmental diseases allow for limitations in a plethora of occupations and performance skills areas. In addition to the children housed in this orphanage, there is also a staff of 33. This staff includes nursing, administrative, kitchen and dietary, and housekeeping who rotate approximately 12 hour shifts as well as 3 physical therapists (J.P. Sangai, personal communication, October 24, 2016). The purpose of this project is to provide assistance through education on occupational therapy facilitated by trained volunteers. The idea is that an occupational therapist will train the volunteers and staff and that this education will be integrated into the children\u27s lives to improve their performance as well as reduce the burden of care from staff. This education will also aim to increase passive and/or active range of motion, decrease risk of soft contractures, develop strength through therapeutic exercises, and utilize compensatory strategies for positioning with the overall goal of improving quality of life
Safe Pet Care: Keeping Owners and Pets Safe after Illness and/or Injury
Get PDFPet care, for the older adult population, may become problematic after returning home from a recent hospital or rehabilitation stay, due to illness and/or injury. A safe pet care guide was developed, to assist the older adult population, with caring for their pets after they returned home from the hospital or a rehabilitation facility. The safe pet care guide includes information related to safe body movements during pet care activities, products available to assist with pet care, changes to the home, and local pet care resources. Additional safety tips were included to correspond to each area addressed. The manual was well received by both the clients and the therapists that participated in the needs assessment and follow-up questionnaire. All individuals involved agreed that the safe pet care guide could be easily implemented by the clients in the home and by the therapists either in a rehabilitation facility or those who worked in the home health field. Two local home health companies were contacted and meetings were set to present the safe pet care manual. The first home health company was interested in a portion of the manual but required corporate approval before implementing into their already existing fall prevention program. The second home health company, which provides home health only to the patients of their sub-acute facility, implemented the manual immediately, as a resource for inhouse and home health. The local Humane Society will keep an electronic copy available if the need presents itself, as they have limited sources available to help older adults in this situation. Making this resource available to the older adult population has the potential to decrease the difficulty and fall risk associated with pet care after illness and/or injury and keep clients and pets safe
Affordable Aging In Place
Get PDFAging in place refers to remaining in one\u27s home and community throughout the aging process (Siebert, 2007). Occupational therapy can play a role in aging in place through home modifications. The purpose of the project is to research how affordable home modifications can support lower socioeconomic status, older adults age in place. The three objectives of this project include: (1) the educational presentation and booklet were effective in increasing the participant\u27s knowledge of low-cost options and funding sources for implementing home modifications; (2) the educational presentation/booklet provide effective resources for the individuals to implement home modifications in facilitating successful aging in place; and (3) the participants will experience an increase in occupational performance and a decrease in falls as a result of making affordable home modifications. The occupational therapy (OT) student provided participants with a pre-presentation survey, PowerPoint presentation, affordable home modification booklet, home safety checklist, and post-presentation survey. This project implemented a descriptive research design, using a pre and post survey to collect data. Results from both the pre and post surveys were compared, in addition to answers from other questions, to create percentages. Based on the responses from the five individuals who participated in this project, results indicate an increase in participants\u27 ability to identify low cost home modifications and funding options for home modifications. However, all five participants reported not looking at the affordable home modification booklet during the one month follow up. Additionally, only one participant made a home modification during the one month follow up. Therefore, it is unclear if any of the three objectives were achieved, as result of the Power Point presentation, affordable home modification booklet, or making home modifications
Perspectives and Issues Related to the COTA Role in New Mexico
Get PDFObjectives: This study investigated perceptions and issues related to the COTA role within the state of New Mexico from both the OTA and OTR perspective to identify whether differences in perception exist. Another objective of this study was to determine whether differences exist in perceptions of COTAs between facilities that utilize assistance and those that do not. The author of this study also sought to identify whether local educational institutions were meeting the needs of students with only one OTR program and a recent closure of a local bridge program. Methods: Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (N=54) working in the state of New Mexico participated in an online survey addressing their perceptions of the COTA role, the OTR and COTA relationship, and the educational needs of students in New Mexico. Results: Of OTR respondents, 32% rated assistants negatively in at least one category. Many OTRs rated assistants neutral to poor on critical thinking skills, while 50% of COTAs rated the mentoring they have received as being neutral to very poor. The majority of assistants (93%) reported desiring to attend a bridge program. Conclusion: Further research and discussion on these topics are warranted. Studies utilizing larger sample sizes may provide useful data. Increased collaboration with and mentoring for assistants may be beneficial. The majority of assistants in New Mexico feel their educational needs are not being met
Assessing the Efficacy of a Local Resource Reference Manual on Home Modifications for Occupational Therapists in Roanoke, Virginia
Get PDFA qualitative research study was conducted to justify and promote occupational therapy\u27s involvement within the home evaluation and home modification process. A resource reference manual was constructed following a systematic literal review where three key areas were identified as areas of interest; the impact of home modifications on participation and 3 performance within the home setting, occupational therapy\u27s implementation of home modifications, and fall prevention with home modifications. With the results of the literature review supporting the involvement of occupational therapists within the home evaluation and home modification process, three objectives where identified to guide the study. These three objectives were to identify existing barriers hindering the application of home modification recommendations made by occupational therapists, create an evidence-based home modifications resource reference manual that facilitates aging in place and determine the efficacy of the home modifications resource reference manual with occupational therapy recommendations. With the completion and distribution of the resource reference manual, all three objectives where addressed appropriately. The results concluded and supported the third research objective, which was to assess the effectiveness of the resource reference manual. The results supported the necessity and effectiveness of the resource reference manual for occupational therapists working within skilled nursing facilities. In conclusion. the efficacy of the resource reference manual was justified by the implementation of its use within the home evaluation and home modification recommendation process by local occupational therapists located in Roanoke, Virginia
A Project to Enhance Quality of Life Through Stroke Support Group Activities
Get PDFBackground: In 2015, participants within a stroke support group reported that, they felt ill prepared to care for themselves following a stroke (Boger, Demain and Latter, 2015). Similar feelings as well as decreased socialization, loss of independence, and changes in mood were reported in another stroke support group setting in 2014 (Muller, Toth-Cohen and Mulcahey, 2014). In an effort to enhance an existing stroke support group, purposeful activities were provided in an educational format to allow for new learning and engagement for all stroke survivors. These interventions are also provided as a means to enhance quality of life and improve overall participation within the stroke support group. Methods: The project began with the creation of a needs assessment. All members of a current stroke support group in Fayetteville, North Carolina were provided with a needs assessment for completion as a means to gather information about each participant and the stroke support group as a whole. Information and feedback from the needs assessment combined with evidenced based research allowed the occupational therapy student to deliver four tailored interventions to meet the needs of the stroke support group. These interventions included Driving after a Stroke, How to Care for Yourself after Stroke, Stress-Management, and Nutrition. Following all four interventions, all members were provided with a follow-up survey to assess the effectiveness of the interventions and how they impacted quality of life. Results: Data from the needs assessment indicated that the current stroke support group was not meeting the member\u27s needs and expectations. However, after the completion of interventions provided by the occupational therapy student, there was an increase in member participation by thirty-three percent and quality of life scores improved up to thirty-six percent. Conclusion: Specific and purposeful activities and interventions are effective in enhancing a stroke support group. Not only can these interventions be effective when enhancing a support group as a whole, they can also improve quality of life for each participant Such interventions have also been effective in gaining new members within the support group as well as retaining existing members. Therefore, in order to ensure an effective support group the participant\u27s needs must be heard
Occupation-Based Training to Reduce Challenging Behaviors of Alzheimer\u27s Patients during Morning Routine
Get PDFThe purpose of the Capstone project was to provide an occupation-based training program for care team members who provide care for residents with Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD), specifically during the morning routine in the long-term care setting. This is an occupation-based training program because it provides caregivers with skills and knowledge to improve interactions during activities of daily living (AD Ls) and reduce challenging behaviors often associated with AD: depression, agitation, increased confusion, and resistance to care. Individuals with mid to late-stage AD frequently exhibit an increase in challenging behaviors during the morning care routine. This increased challenge is often met with a lack of understanding from care team members resulting in stressful care routines and even pharmaceutical interventions. Occupational therapy provides an alternative by focusing on improving ADLs and reducing chemical interventions which only mask the problem. Through focus group discussions and informal interviews, the student discovered the care team members had almost no training about the challenges of AD. To address this, the student defined four objectives of the Capstone project: increase care team members\u27 knowledge, job satisfaction, and ensure an ability to carry out the training as well as a willingness to do so. The student conducted a survey to asses if these objectives were met. Based on their answers, the caregivers felt an increase in their knowledge and ability to carry out effective, occupation-based approaches in the morning care routine. If the training is implemented effectively, residents will experience fewer challenging behaviors during the morning care routine