I would like to invite all of us working in SNF's to stop using the arc and the pegs for one week and see if other, more real-life activities can be done; ie clean a table using the circular motion the arc would promote, clean a window instead; place family pictures on the wall of their room using painter's tape or push pins; label their dresser drawers with the contents to replace the infamous peg motions; forgive me for been so blunt but do WE in our daily life EVER sit and pull pegs aimlessly for any lenght of time? If we are playing a board game...there is a real life purpose to it; if we need to strengthen sorting skills...sort socks, clothes...If I were the patient...I would be insulted if a therapist comes to me, charging an arm and a leg for every 15 min of the encounter to have me do that! Research does NOT support using pegs and rom arc to automatically improve self care skills. Research does show that practicing the very tasks to be mastered iimproves performance in such task... This discussion takes me back to my first years as OT in Phys Dys...the DRG's and Care Maps...and need to show a physical meassure of progress for every skill tested...Very cool but not necessarily Occupationally based . Now, 2007 we have a lot more tools/ research/ information at our disposal to use activities that are relevant to our clients...
I find myself struggling to re-contextualized the most simple tasks at the SNf to make it relevant...Not easy yet possible most of the time...anyways...forgive me if coming across offensive...not my intent. Occupationa Therapy has the power to infuse relevance to the life of a patient...are we facilitators or inhibitors? Carmen From: "Charles Sullivan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [email protected] To: OTlist <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 25, Issue 17 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:48:43 -0500 > >I DO use shoulder arcs too. > >For the most part, every SNF I have worked in has at least one arc, >the colored cones and peg boards. I agree they do look child like and >could be designed differently, like black, red and silver or maybe one >could purchase weighted disc's, cones or pegs. I sometimes use velcro >wrist weights, or I have the Pt stand to do the activity, or place it >on the floor to achieve and grade depending on their short or >long term goals with B/UE-LE ROM/strength/ADL's etc. Because many >facilities "Therapy Rooms" have limited space, budgets etc. they >purchase and have their OT's use of them. Because these items are >portable and light weight, I often work with Pt's in their rooms >(bedridden)and I am better able to get them to achieve their UE/LE ADL >goals: dressing, bathing and grooming, where otherwise my options to >achieve them would be limited. This is not a perfect OT world we work >in. I enjoy reading OTlist. > >Keep up the good work Ron! > >B Sullivan COTA/L > > > > > > > >-- >Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > >Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >************************************************************************************** >Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs >Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. >www.otdegree.com/otn >************************************************************************************** Find what you need at prices youll love. Compare products and save at MSN® Shopping. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
