Thursday 17 May 2012

assistive technology

This is my final post for the Participation in Occupation paper.

According to Verdonck & Ryan (2008) technology is becoming a daily meaningful occupation and therefore can be used as a therapy tool. It can be used to improve a person’s functional independence. Assistive Technology is the "Technological devices designed to enable active engagement or participation in occupations through energy conservation, accommodation for diverse physical abilities, or compensation for functional limitations or disability” (Christensen & Townsend, 2010, p. 417).  In basic terms, assistive technology is the name given to an item or device that improves a persons abilities. (woop woop go assistive technology!)
Assistive technology is the name given to an item or device which improves a person’s functional and abilities.

My personal interpretation of that, is that assistive technology is devices used by those with disabilities to maintain or increase their abilities. this can be modifying an already existing piece of equipment or an invention of a totally new one.

A piece of equipment that I have mentioned a particular liking for and that is a form of assistive technology is the iPad.

The iPad is a tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is particularly marketed as a platform for audio and visual media such as books, periodicals, movies, music, and games, as well as web content.
Look at the following link to learn about some of the iPads specs

From the Apple support website we can see that the iPad is a good size and weight to be a portable assistive device. The iPad is wireless and has a ten hour battery. This means that it can be moved around and used throughout a whole day without having to be connected to a plug to function fully. 

The iPad provides the opportunity for increased occupational engagement for disabled users. an example of this is the use of an iPad as a communications device through applications that augment speech, and convert text and pictures to speech such as the proloquo2go application. This is a link to proloquo2go application and what it does.
Here is a video about proloquo2go


For some clients the iPad may provide the difference between communicating with the outside world and being enclosed within their own mind (Brandon, 2009).

Another example is the use of The iPad can to improve fine motor skills in clients through the use of the iPad itself by interacting with it and also specifically tailored applications such as dexteria. This video shows the uses of the application

This can lead to the increased readiness for handwriting skills in both children and adults. There are also interactive applications that focus on handwriting skills and letter recognition too.
Here is a video of a man with limited hand function and how he uses the iPad to write and also other apps he finds useful.


iPads can aid in prevent occupational deprivation. Occupational deprivation is 'A prolonged preclusion from engagement in occupations of necessity or meaning due to factors outside the control of an individual such as through geographical isolation, incarceration or disability.' (Christiansen & Townsend, 2010 p. 421). iPads can help with occupational deprivation in a way that it lets individuals participate in occupations. For example being able to use the iPad to communicate with others is a huge step in over coming occupational deprivation. Individuals who use the communication applications can get a say in what happens to them, what they would like to do and give them an opportunity to participate in socializing in a new way.



So to conclude, technology can be used as a therapy tool and can be used to improve a person’s functional independence. The use of the iPad has the potential to extend the abilities of individuals, positively impact on their ability to communicate and aid in reducing occupational deprivation.

Ciao for now!! :)



References:

Brandon, J. (2009). Is the iPad a ‘miracle device’ for autism?. Fox News. Retrieved May 17 from: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/09/can-apple-ipad-cure-autism/

Christiansen, C. & Townsend, E. (2010). Introduction to occupation: The Art of Science and Living (2nd ed.). USA: Pearson, p.177.

Verdonck, M.C., & Ryan, . (2008). Mainstream technology as an occupational therapy tool: technophobe or technogeek?. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(6), 253-256.



Blogs of Interest

For this task I searched to find blogs that are of interest to me as an Occupational Therapy student. I have attached below the links to these Blogs


http://www.munchkinandflan.com/
This blog is about understanding through reflection and helps OT students make sense of life and studies. It has heaps of useful information around the use of Models (e.g CMOP).


http://amandasparticipationinoccupationone.blogspot.co.nz/


This is a blog of a fellow student who has, amoungst her required blog, some interesting information around animals and their role in therapy.


http://abctherapeutics.blogspot.co.nz/




http://otnotes.blogspot.co.nz/
This is about the musings of an OT about her profession, the future and everyday successes. It is an interesting read.


http://myotstudentblog.blogspot.co.nz/
This is a blog that follows a Master of Occupational therapy student. It chronicles her journey throughout education and her experiences of it!




I commented on Amanda's Blog in relation to an interesting post about Hippotherapy. This can be viewed here. http://amandasparticipationinoccupationone.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/hippotherapy.html?showComment=1337311079125#c5488670603753200902







Online communities


Let the post begin!

Stroke patients were a common site in my first placement. I have looked into three communities for those with stroke.

Stroke survivor blog
The introduction to this blog sums up its purpose. “The purpose of this blog is to share how a stroke affected our lives, and how through our stroke recovery experience, stroke survivors, stroke victims, caregivers and others might find peace, hope and encouragement ”. Looking through this site, I have found it a great source of information’s around strokes. IT shows a individuals experience of stroke and how it impacted on the person and the family. There are over 350 comments on this blog with people sharing their stories and offering their support to one another. This blog give good insight into how stroke impact on your life and all other relevant information around strokes.

Why would people choose to contribute to this community?
Stroke survivor blog allows people to come together over the topic of stroke and share their experiences and advice. It is not directed at just the stroke patients themselves but is also directed to the family and what they go through too. People would contribute to this community as it is directed at both the stroke individual and the family. It offers ways of dealing with problems through others experiences.

How is information shared?
It is shared much the same as I am sharing with you now. The information is sent out in posts and people comment on it showing their support, understanding and experience with each other.

Stroke Foundation New Zealand Inc.
This online community is the organization known as the stroke foundation; it aims at reducing the incidence of stroke and improving the outcome of individuals with stroke by providing information and advice around services available. It is also a non profit organization. Looking on the site, it promotes the awareness of stroke and research into health outcomes! The webiste allows individual interaction with the site through the access to support groups, linking to other websites related to stroke and even gives you an option of making a donation or if you are really keen becoming a sponsor.

Why would people to choose to contribute to this community?
It is a very well known community and often people are referred to this website to gain a better understanding of all aspects of stroke. Being apart of this community allows individuals to keep up to date with what is being done in the stroke community- such as different approaches to rehabilitation and the promotion of better heatlh outcomes.

How is information shared?
The website offers a latest news feed for those who are within this community to see what is new on the site. Individuals in the community cannot make direct comments on the page like the pervious mentioned community could. But, there are numbers to call and people to email to receive more information. In a sense it is quite a closed community.

Stroke recovery blog
Here is another blogging community. It is aimed to help those who have had a stroke and provide some support. It offers advice on equipment that enhances peoples abilities in everyday occupations. It has links to other blogs and communities around strokes.

Why would people to choose to contribute to this community?
This community allows people to share their experiences with stroke much like the first community. It provides a basis for looking into similar communities. It provides information around the technology and research around stroke. Those who participate in the blog can share their experiences and knowledge both as a patient and affected family members. People will come to this community to seek information and education. It can be used to edcucate and inform oneself on issues around stroke.

How is information shared?
Information is shared through blog form. The community can contribute to the blog through comments and asking/answering questions.

INTERMISSION
Please feel free to take a 2 minute break to watch this video about a tetraplegic woman who used thought to control a robotic arm!! or do whatever else you do in intermissions!
INTERMISSION END.
Part Two.

How do these webiste relate to occupational transition and deprivation?
In my video post, I covered occupational deprivation.  To refresh your memories, Occupatoinal deprivation refers to a state of exclusion from engaging in certain occupationsl due to external factors that are out of control of the individual (Christiansen and Townsend, 2010)
Occupation transition is a new term on my blog. A quote from Christiansen and Townsend (2010) states that is is “ Circumstances creating a change in the nature or type of occupational engagement pursued by or available to an individual. Such transitions may be the result of choice, changes in physical or mental status, life transitions, geographical change, geopolitical strife, or other factors” (pg 421)

The two blogs Stroke recovery blog and the Stroke survivor blog relate to occupational deprivation in the sense that they share stories around their experience around it to eachother on the blogs. It allows them a chance to express themselves in a like minded community and can open up opportunities for others in the community to express their similar experiences or their knowledge around it.
In a different view, members of these communities may be older and lack the specific knowledge to use a computer/search engine resulting in occupational deprivation for them in the sense of these online communities being inaccessible to them.

Both the stroke recover and stroke survivor blogs have aspects of occupational transition. They have information on the transition of pre stroke to post stroke in individuals. They inform individuals of the changes that occur and how this can impact them. It give individuals a place to go to converse with others about their experiences of their transitions, which can make transitioning an easier process due to support.

Ethical issues
With writing on blogs, that information becomes useable to anyone who has access to the blog. There is also a chance that others can copy what you publish on blogs without your permission and used in ways you did not intend it to be.
Also with blogging and websites, it is important to understand that not all the information posted is correct. It can be very much up to the subjective sway of the writer. It is always important to consult doctors and professionals before taking on treatment ideas that can sometimes be suggested in online communities, as the doctor is the expert.

Benefits and limitations compared to traditional geographical communities.
Benefits:
An obvious benefit of being connected through online communities is the access to information an knowledge via a very easy portal; the computer. In some places geographical support may not be easy to access.
It provides the means to express yourself and connect with others through written form. This allows those who have difficulty getting on with people or communicating an equal opportunity to participate. Also with the the lack of face to face it can lead to the online community being more free of judgement that can occur in geographical communities.
Those who cannot leave their home will still have access to support through online communities.
Limitations:
The information on the blogs is open to the subjectivity of the writers, in a geographical community support group there is more likely to be a deeper justification around the services they offer. On the websites people can suggest ideas but it does not mean they will work or are recommended.
Meeting with people and being able to share a conversation in real time with someone can be very beneficial. The use of just online communities can reduce this as no human interaction is required.
As previously mentioned another limitation is around access to and knowledge around using an online community. In a geographical support group you can show up and become part of a community relatively easier.

Fin.

Woopsies not fin..

References:
Christiansen, C. H., & Townsend, E. A. (2010). Introduction to Occupation (2 ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

FIN.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Videos on equipment


In placement in my first year of occupational therapy, I was allocated to the city Invercargill in an A, T & R unit. The placement offered rehabilitation and treatment services to those with strokes, hip and knee replacements, fractured neck of femurs, amputees, cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Much of our intervention was around educating the patients around energy conservation through the use of adaptive equipment. I am going to provide in this blog post some of the adaptive equipment we applied to a range of conditions in the A, T & R unit. 

Here is a video about a shower chair.

This video covers a lot of aspect around shower chairs, such as what types there are, how to use one, and safety precautions around the use of the chair. Shower chairs were constantly being supplied to our patients as fatigue whilst showering was a major issue for most due to the symptoms of their conditions.

This is a video about raised toilet.
This video shows the use of a plinth in the bathroom that raises the toilet seat height up. This means the individual using it does not have to bend as far as you normally would to use it.


This is a video about how to use a walker
This video discusses the use of a walker in relation to what types there are, the safety precautions around the use and also the correct technique of walking with a walker.

This video is about transfer boards
This video covers transfers from one sitting position to another. In the case of my placement, we would sometimes use bath transfer boards to transfer a patient from a wheelchair to the bath/shower.

This last video is about equipment in the kitchen
This video covers a range of assistive devices and adaptive equipment that focuses on providing safe movement around the kitchen.

Monday 14 May 2012

Occupational deprivation video


As a part of our participation in occupation paper, we created a video on using a video recording device and video editing software. We sat around in our video production group and discussed what we wanted to focus on and decided on occupational deprivation in relation to how one with an impairment resulting in the use of wheelchair could be excluded and deprived from doing certain occupations. Occupational deprivation refers to external situations and environments that prevent an individual participating or enjoying an occupation over an extended period of time (Christiansen & Townsend, 2010). We came up for ideas around how we could portray occupational deprivation for a wheelchair user and what locations we would like to film in. We split into two groups, one for filming and one for producing the slides and other pieces we wanted to incorporate into our short film. There was a point in the film making where I realized the gravity of the situation in being in a wheelchair in the case of a fire. The wheelchair user (if up flights of stairs) would have to stay up on the landing until the fire crew or warden could come and get them. Not a nice thought. We recorded all the sessions then edited them with iMovie editing software to create the film you just viewed!

Reference:
Christensen, C., & Townsend, E. A. (2010). Introduction to Occupation: The art and of living. (2nd Edn) New Jersey: Pearson.

Doing, being, becoming and belonging.

I have chosen cooking, preparing and sharing meals to cover in my powerpoint. This BBC documentary discusses what cooking is and how what we eat and how we eat it has impacted on being human. If you have an hour to spare you should watch this documentary to learn about "Did cooking make us human?"


If you do not have an hour to spare, Michael Rhulman brings up some interesting points around what cooking is and what it has accomplished that are also covered in the clip above, but in four minutes!


I chose to discuss cooking as I saw it in both my first year placements. Cooking assessments and activities are a component of mainstream occupational therapy practice. There are formalized assessments that have been well documented in the OT literature (Baum and Edwards, 1993) There are also many informal assessments and uses of cooking activities used in practice. Cooking has been used with children, adults and older adults and across practice areas.
Here is a link to an occupational therapists blog that discusses her uses of cooking therapy with her clients.
http://otjourney.wordpress.com/tag/cooking-therapy/

MY POWERPOINT!!
I should begin by defining the term "Doing". According to Hammell (2004) "Doing" refers to the concept of carrying out goal orientated, purposeful activities. People spend most of their time doing meaningful, purposeful activities.  As we all know cooking can be something we feel we must do (in order to eat and therefore survive) or it can be something we want to do (for leisure). In both cases the task of cooking is still a purposeful activity, the goal is to produce a product.


Images one through to seven in the slideshow demonstrate the art of doing through cooking. Each photo shows someone doing a cooking task or the product achieved by doing the task.


According to Wilcock (1998), "Being" refers to the “self” and the “essence” of the person. This can can be facilitated through occupational engagement such as cooking. The perception of "being" ranges from appreciating a moment to the deeper experiencing of our inner selves.

Images eight to twelve identify "Being". For example, slide eleven captures the essence (being) of a child enjoying the moment in a cooking task.


"Becoming" refers to the idea that people can in-vision themselves becoming something in the future, and exploring new opportunities (Hammell, 2004).


Images thirteen to fifteen show my understanding of becoming. The images are based on students who are being taught skills in the art of cooking. This to me is becoming as they have in-visioned cooking to be apart of their future and are taking steps to make this happen by exploring the opportunities available to them.


Lastly "Belonging" refers to the sense of being included, and having mutual support and friendship (Hammell, 2004). Belonging can contribute to the meaningfulness and pleasure of "doing".


Images fifteen to twenty show my understanding of belongingness.
In image fifteen and seventeen they are depicting very different types of communities and how cooking and sharing a meal includes them all together and shows the mutual support of the community, or in the case of image seventeen it shows friendship.
Images seventeen to twenty depict the same  feeling of support, inclusion and friendship but in a family environment.


References

Baum, C., & Edwards, D. (1993). Cognitive performance in senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type: The kitchen task assessment. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 431-436
Evolutionary documentary. (2012, January 12). Did cooking make us human? [video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf_OWun4Y04
Hammell, K. (2004). Dimensions of meaning in the occupations of daily life.  Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71 (5). 
Rhulman, M. (2010, October 15). On the importance of cooking [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4V4feAFVe8

Wilcock, A. (1998).  Reflections on doing, being becoming.  Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 248-256.