Aged

Is it really all good?

What is it like to be the recipient of OT services? This is a question that needs to be asked more often, particularly with regard to older service users, as over 65 year olds represent around 2/3 of hospital in-patients and are main users of nearly all parts of the hospital system (Help the Aged, 2004). To date there is little research exploring how patients experience ADL interventions. Understanding interventions from the patients’ perspective is essential for client-centred practice, (MacKinnon, 2001) and focus group participants have stressed that recipients of OT have a lot to share with service providers about the effectiveness or not, of treatment and rehabilitation strategies, (Corring & Cook, 1999). Some of the research is reviewed here. Studies regarding patient values in ADL interventions and therapist perceptions were included, as well as those regarding patient perceptions, as these provide valuable perspectives on this topic. (Click here to read on..)

I have a far longer article in the works regarding gadgets and gizmos but just thought I would share this one for starters. Im not sure this stuff is available in the UK (anyone??) but at first glance it looks amazing. Called "Plasti-Dip" it comes in a spray can and adds grip to practically any household object. Brilliant. Although it can't claim to turning a tool/utensil into a "oxo good grip" it certainly adds texture to an object that may increase friction. However reading some comments on this product suggests that it does tend to flake. Loctite Color Guard is a suggested alternative (although again, not sure about its availability in the UK) as is "pickup truck bed liner" whatever that is..?!

See this 5 page article on how to use it (via Make)