It seems that set up of certain tasks in the kitchen could be a successful outcome provided the husband accepts the notion that independent performance is out of the question. Setup/superv of the most safe routines can be adapted for her provided she was interested on those in the past and expresses desire to help the husband with those chores. Perhaps recommend to him a respite -type of programing and the use of supportive services available in the community to enhance his role as caregiver. Any fall prevention adaptations needed for the home? any visual compensatory strategies to decrease fall risk on her due to decreased environm. awareness? Any health management needs to maximize her current state of health?
Just thoughts of what could be impacted with your expertise. Carmen > Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:08:18 -0400 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: [OTlist] NEED HELP WITH PATIENT > > I evaluated a home health patient and I need help determining if OT is > indicated. The patient's primary diagnosis is Alz. dementia. She also > was recently d/c'd from the hospital secondary to a non-healing brown > recluse spider bite, s/p 5 years ago. > > Her score on the SLUMS cogn screen is a 6/30, indicating mod-severe > dementia. She lives with her husband, who is healthy but has had two > recent falls in their modular home. The husband does all the housework, > cooking and driving. The patient performs her own basic selfcare with > supervison. She req. occasional asst. with sequencing for dressing. > > The patient reports she is an active reader. She attends church services > every Sunday. The patient has no stated goals. She reports being "happy > and content" with her life. She says that everyone else is worried about > her memory but she knows that it will get better. The husband states it > would be nice if his wife were able to help out in the kitchen. > > I told the husband that I needed to ponder the situation. I wasn't sure > if I could help his wife or not. So, I'm turning to you guys. My wife > suggested that I work with both the husband and the patient to teach him > how to better integrate his wife into the daily routines. I presented > this idea to him tonight on the phone and he said: "hum, I need to think > about that". > > So, what do you guys say. Can OT help this lady? If so, how???????? > > Thanks, > > Ron > > ~~~ > Ron Carson MHS, OT > www.OTnow.com > > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] _________________________________________________________________ Rediscover Hotmail®: Get quick friend updates right in your inbox. http://windowslive.com/RediscoverHotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Rediscover_Updates1_042009 -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
