Folding clothes may or may not be childish. What is childish is that is what a patient's son remembers about OT. And while I am 100% about enabling patients to regain meaningful occupation, it think it HIGHLY unlikely that this patient's rehab goals included folding clothes. What is MOST likely is that her OT's had her standing at table engaged in some distracting task to work on balance, endurance, etc.
And, given all the things that it takes for a patient to live safely and independently, folding clothes is pretty near the bottom of that list. Also, there is a huge difference in doing "laundry" and folding clothes. And talk about therapists superimposing their biases. How many times do OT's engage patients in meaningless, degrading, child-like "games" because the therapist thinks it best for the patient? Or worse, the therapist does it because they either can't or won't step out of their comfort zone. Now, THAT'S bias! Based on this woman's report, she was VERY able to fold clothes BEFORE she was discharged to rehab. What she could not do was walk in her home, get in out the tub and had difficulty with toilet transfers. Overall, she had decreased endurance which impaired her occupation. While doing laundry certainly might be impaired by decreased endurance, folding clothes would not be, at least not by the degree of HER endurance. Bottom line, in my opinion, her rehab OT's did a typically poor job of engaging patient's in meaningless activity. They did NOT fully attempt to identify and restore meaningful occupation. Ron -- Ron Carson MHS, OT www.OTnow.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Brent Cheyne <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 To: Ron Carson <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] What's so sad about folding clothes? BC> Dear Colleagues, BC> Regarding the comment... BC> "Isn't it a bit "childish" that OT is remembered for "folding >> clothes"? >> Should we be remembered for something a little more substantial?" BC> BC> My question is:does it matter if Ron C. thinks folding clothes is BC> chidlish (?) ;or is the more relevant question--does the patient BC> need/want to return to performing this task? I think not being able BC> to fold clothes is childish...if you expect someone else do it for BC> you and become a dependent or disabled person. It's all about BC> clarifying expectations, but it's not about super imposing the BC> therapist's biased judgements about what is important and meaningful BC> activity onto the pt's situation. BC> BY THE WAY IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A CHILD TO FOLD CLOTHES BC> WITHOUT BRIBERY OR THREAT OF PUNISHMENT : ) BC> BC> I totally agree with Sarah Croft about being sure to identify needs BC> and goal--that is the key to a client centered approach. The lady is BC> 90 but planning to live alone again or at home with the BC> son...laundry might be something she actually enjoys--maybe not. or BC> what else might it be? Isn't OT often about the simple things in life that matter to daily life? BC> BC> It begs the question--- Ron--What shoud the OT be remembered for doing with the patient? Explain. BC> Sara Croft--What professional image are you trying to fight for? BC> Explain..use simple language..I only have a bachelor's degree:) BC> BC> Occupation, according to my understanding, involves the things we BC> do each day, that are necessary, productive, fulfill a meaningful BC> purpose and contribute to a role. Occupations are not always BC> gradiose projects, or complex activities, The are the simple every BC> things that need doing. Perhaps I'm too confused about what OT is supposed to be anymore! BC> A list of Sad Occupations BC> Folding clothes...too childish, to mundane BC> Making a sandwhich--too ordinary? Too domestic BC> Watering plants--too agricultural? Too rural BC> Feed the cat/dog---too zoological? Too interspecies BC> Take out the garbage--too unsanitary? Too trashy BC> Make Coffee and serve a guest--Too much caffeine? Too friendly BC> Make the bed--to much servantude? Too much responsibility BC> Playing cards--to many decisions, to much thinking? Too much like real fun BC> BC> BC> Question:To be clear and stated in the positive..What are the BC> sophisticated, approved, and impressive occupations that would BC> better earn respect from our friends and neighors? Please List those BC> therapy activities we can brag about! I want to know the"More Substantial" ones. Expalin. BC> BC> BC> Mary Alice C I agreed with your post about getting more positive BC> stories, I second that motion! Quote: BC> "Thank goodness you are an OT. Other people I have worked with in rehab places in the BC> past have not done a good job of listening to what I have to say about BC> what I want and need. The OTs are always my saving grace because they BC> start out by asking what I want to work on." BC> BC> "If a man begin with certainties, he shall end with doubts, but if BC> he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in BC> certainties" ---Francis Bacon, English Scientist/Philosopher BC> BC> OTs--Examine your certainties, revisit your doubts BC> BC> Brent C BC> Submitted with tonge in cheek to engage but not to insult..BC:) BC> BC> -- BC> Options? BC> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com BC> Archive? BC> www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
