Success story 1
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Author : Museruka J E1 & Kamwesiga J T2
Affiliation : Occupational Therapist (Specialist in Assistive technology)
Hospice Africa Uganda1 & Occupational therapy School Mulago2
(Makerere University Kampala -Uganda)
Title : The significance of assistive technology to cancer patients’ ADL
Performance : A case study of Hospice Africa Uganda.
Background
The use of assistive technology has been embraced worldwide as one way of maximising independence in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) performance, thus very fundamental in improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
Assistive technology means devices and services that lessen or remove barriers faced by persons with disabilities and includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them; these may be in form of assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices. At Hospice Africa Uganda, patients that need assistive technology are referred to the occupational therapist who assesses, prescribes and trains them.
The purpose of the study was to describe the significance of assistive technology to ADL performance of cancer patients at Hospice Africa Uganda.
Method
A hermeneutic phenomenological life world approach was used and data was obtained through conversational interviews from 15 cancer patients after the devices had been used for five months.
Results
The devices were viewed as aprerequisite for well-being and independence and improved the patients’ quality of life.
Discussion
In conclusion assistive technology plays a very big role in cancer patients’ ADL performance; for stress, depression management and increased social participation.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Occupational Therapy in Palliative care setting
The role of the occupational therapist within the field of palliative care is diverse, addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. They have a key role within the multi-professional team, in enabling patients to maintain and enhance life roles, function and quality of life. This holistic approach encompasses the occupations that are of value to the individual, whether in terms of personal self-care, domestic activities, productive activity or leisure. By focusing on the unique desires of each patient and facilitating their maximum functional performance regardless of life expectancy, occupational therapists enable individuals to retain as much control as possible. It may be that an Occupational therapist will give skills to a client to wash comfortably rather than the client waiting for an attendant and this will help;
• Reduce anxiety.
• Promoting self-esteem
• Dignity
• Privacy
• Avoiding being dependent on others
• safety
The role of the occupational therapist within the field of palliative care is diverse, addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. They have a key role within the multi-professional team, in enabling patients to maintain and enhance life roles, function and quality of life. This holistic approach encompasses the occupations that are of value to the individual, whether in terms of personal self-care, domestic activities, productive activity or leisure. By focusing on the unique desires of each patient and facilitating their maximum functional performance regardless of life expectancy, occupational therapists enable individuals to retain as much control as possible. It may be that an Occupational therapist will give skills to a client to wash comfortably rather than the client waiting for an attendant and this will help;
• Reduce anxiety.
• Promoting self-esteem
• Dignity
• Privacy
• Avoiding being dependent on others
• safety
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Occupational therapy
What is Occupational Therapy?
OT helps children who have physical, sensory or cognitive deficits to achieve their
developmental milestones or increase their independence for age appropriate skills. OT
enhances body awareness, improves attention, and develops hand functions for success
during play, daily living and school activities. Through occupational therapy, children
develop their sense of self as they interact with family, friends, and others to learn and
play.
Occupational therapy can promote self-confidence and independence through the
development of:
Attention skills
Sensory processing skills
Organizational skills
Hand dexterity / fine motor skills
Visual-spatial skills
Visual-motor skills
Motor planning
Age appropriate skills of daily living
When should a child see an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist helps children who have difficulty with: Performance of age appropriate self-care activities such as brushing teeth, buttoning a shirt and tying shoes. Fine motor activities such as handwriting or cutting with scissors. Initiating or completing tasks such as doing a simple puzzle or playing on the slide or swing. Visual motor and visual perceptual activities such as copying from the board and completing assignments accurately. Aversions to different sensory input, such as tactile input as seen in avoiding “messy” activities or becoming frustrated when physical contact is made. Cognitive tasks such as paying attention, following instructions, problem solving and organization. Thinking skills such as remembering homework assignments, organization and problem solving. Social situations including interacting and playing appropriately with other children. Using their arms, hands and fingers for basic developmental milestones such as crawling, grasp and release.
Occupational Therapy (OT) facilitates the skills necessary for an individual to perform their job of living or their “occupation”. Everyone has an occupation – even a child! A child’s “occupation” is to grow and develop, learn, and play. As they get older they need to start taking care of their own self care needs like brushing their teeth and getting dressed – and eventually participate in school and completing homework assignments.
OT helps children who have physical, sensory or cognitive deficits to achieve their
developmental milestones or increase their independence for age appropriate skills. OT
enhances body awareness, improves attention, and develops hand functions for success
during play, daily living and school activities. Through occupational therapy, children
develop their sense of self as they interact with family, friends, and others to learn and
play.
Occupational therapy can promote self-confidence and independence through the
development of:
Attention skills
Sensory processing skills
Organizational skills
Hand dexterity / fine motor skills
Visual-spatial skills
Visual-motor skills
Motor planning
Age appropriate skills of daily living
When should a child see an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist helps children who have difficulty with: Performance of age appropriate self-care activities such as brushing teeth, buttoning a shirt and tying shoes. Fine motor activities such as handwriting or cutting with scissors. Initiating or completing tasks such as doing a simple puzzle or playing on the slide or swing. Visual motor and visual perceptual activities such as copying from the board and completing assignments accurately. Aversions to different sensory input, such as tactile input as seen in avoiding “messy” activities or becoming frustrated when physical contact is made. Cognitive tasks such as paying attention, following instructions, problem solving and organization. Thinking skills such as remembering homework assignments, organization and problem solving. Social situations including interacting and playing appropriately with other children. Using their arms, hands and fingers for basic developmental milestones such as crawling, grasp and release.
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