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Archive for May, 2012

May 31

What to look for in a home health agency

The goal of providing healthcare at home is to care for an illness or injury in a patient’s home environment. A familiar environment contributes to maintaining a positive outlook and often results in a more speedy recovery.

However, all home health agencies are not created equal. When choosing an in-home health agency, be sure to do research and know what questions to ask, because they will be taking care of you or your loved one and coming into your home.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a home health agency.

Consider the services they provide

Make sure the home health agency offers the services that best fit your needs. A variety of home care services may be offered including:

• Skilled nursing

• Rehabilitation therapy services: Physical, occupational and speech therapies, balance management, etc.

• Home health aide services: bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship, housekeeping, errands

• Medical social services: counseling, community resource coordination, etc.

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May 30

Occupational therapists can play role in improving mental health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 percent of people 55 or older face a mental health concern. During May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to increase awareness about good mental health in older adults and show how occupational therapists can help.

The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” With this definition, mental health is recognized as an essential part of overall health, and should be included in public health missions. To that end, the mental health of older Americans has been identified as a priority by the Healthy People 2010 objectives and the 1999 Surgeon General’s report on mental health.

We are often quick to treat physical conditions in older people, but less able to recognize mental health concerns. The overall health and well-being must include this dimension. There is a growing urgency to focus on mental health and include it in overall health practices.

Depression is the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults, and with increased age, the rate of depression also increases. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety and severe cognitive impairment are not part of the normal aging process, but are treatable conditions.

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May 29

Pain management during hospice care

One of the greatest fears many people have is dying in pain. Those of us who work in hospice understand this fear and make pain management a top priority. In fact, people who choose hospice care are far more likely to get adequate pain relief and die peacefully than those who do not.

There are several reasons for this. First, the focus of hospice care is on pain and symptom management. It’s at the heart of what we do.

Second, federal guidelines regulating hospice care require that we make a concerted effort to control patient pain. This is reflected in most state laws, too.

Another reason is the interdisciplinary team approach employed by hospice. Patients may have an attending physician, specialists, social workers, nutritionists, nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, a spiritual leader and volunteers who are working with them at any one time. By taking a team approach, the quality of life for both the patient and the family may be better improved.

Medications

Many pain treatment regimens begin with over-the-counter medications. Severe pain, however, often calls for narcotic pain relief. It is important to note that different types of pain call for different kinds of medication. Bone pain, for example, might require something different for pain management than a muscle spasm. A hospice doctor or specialist is trained to know the subtleties of pain and prescribe appropriately and adequately.

In the past, I’ve heard some concern about creating “addicts” with narcotic pain therapy. Understandably, people don’t want to “use drugs,” but they mistake legitimate medical care for illegal drug-seeking behavior. Proper pain relief for the terminally ill is entirely appropriate and I’ve never seen a problem with addiction created in this population.

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May 25

Brain tumors and the role of rehabilitation therapists

There are over 612,000 people in the U.S. living with a brain tumor diagnosis, and more than 66,000 people will be newly diagnosed this year, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. The incidence of brain tumors is on the rise for all age groups, especially older adults. This affects the speech, physical and occupational therapy community because many of the symptoms these tumors produce necessitate rehabilitative help from one of these professionals.

This month, which is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, we want to draw therapists’ attention to information about brain tumors to better help them understand these patient conditions.

Brain tumors often have a devastating effect on an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities because they are located at the nexus for thought, emotion and movement. They can be either malignant or non-malignant (“benign”), but it is possible for them to be life threatening either way. They can also be primary or metastatic, meaning they have spread from a cancer in another part of the body. They are complex, damaging and all-too-often deadly.

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May 24

Stroke Awareness Month

Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. Strokes are the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association, and 795,000 people suffer from one every year in this country alone. Yet amidst these frightening statistics, most people in the United States cannot identify stroke warning signs or risk factors.

Many strokes can be prevented through risk factor management. As we recognize Stroke Awareness Month this May, we focus on saving the life of a person experiencing stroke through increased education and awareness.

Overcome it: Stroke facts

• Stroke is a brain attack, cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

• Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age.

• One-third of stroke survivors are expected to experience another stroke within five years.

• Approximately 55,000 more women than men have a stroke each year.

• African Americans have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke compared with Caucasians.

• Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. Recognizing symptoms and acting FAST to get medical attention can save a life and limit disabilities.

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May 23

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Tablet technology is transforming speech-language pathology

When tablet computers first arrived on the scene a few years ago, few could have predicted their usefulness to speech-language pathologists. But tablets—like the Apple iPad, Blackberry Playbook, Google Android, Kindle Fire and HP Touchpad—are transforming the way these therapists practice every day. They’ve raised the bar on usability and function.

First, they’re fun. A tablet motivates patients to keep on practicing, even when exercises become repetitious. Clients want to use the tablet, and a motivated client is an improving client. The versatility of tablets allows a speech-language pathologist to use them with people who have a wide range of diagnoses and needs.

Second, they’re portable. Generally, they weigh from half a pound to two pounds, so a therapist can easily pack his or her tablet in a shoulder bag and take it from client to client. Speech-language pathologists who required a lot of materials on a large cart can now just bring this one device.

Third, they’re affordable. Even Apple’s iPad, which is one of the more expensive tablets, starts at $499, and applications or apps are often under $50 each. For a technology that can be used with every patient, this is cost efficient.

Finally, there are dozens of useful apps available for therapists. Here are a few of our favorites.

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May 21

Physical therapy for pain after shingles

Pain after shingles, called postherpetic neuralgia, can last months and be quite uncomfortable. A physical therapist can help patients create exercise and treatment plans that will manage postherpetic neuralgia symptoms through passive and active therapies.

During passive treatments, like applying cold packs to the painful area, the physical therapist does most of the work. With active treatments, like an at-home exercise program, the patient does the work. Both active and passive treatments can help reduce pain and other postherpetic neuralgia symptoms, and with regular physical therapy, patients should eventually be able to increase their daily activities because it helps strengthen muscles.

To get started, a patient should work with a physical therapist to develop a treatment plan that fits his or her needs. Simple, gentle exercise can be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to managing pain and other postherpetic neuralgia symptoms. Exercise offers a range of benefits.

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May 16

Overmedication of older adults — how many pills are too many?

Writing in her New York Times blog, Jane Brody states, “Overmedication of the elderly is an all too common problem, a public health crisis that compromises the well-being of growing numbers of older adults.”

Many of these elderly patients are the victims of polypharmacy or the accumulation of medications over time, often from different prescribers, to treat side effects of prior drugs. Some polypharmacy may be appropriate, such as the use of a stimulant laxative to treat the constipation from opioid narcotics used for chronic pain.

However, polypharmacy is often inappropriate, especially in the elderly, who are more sensitive to the drug burden created by the side effects and drug interactions of these medications. This drug burden is a major cause of physician and emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and even death in older adults.
One of my favorite quotes on this topic is from geriatrician Jerry Gurwitz MD, “Any symptom in an elderly patient should be considered a drug side effect until proved otherwise.”

Monitoring for and correcting overmedication and inappropriate medication is a major focus at Golden Living.

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May 11

Be proactive when it comes to your licenses

When you’re an on-the-go travel therapist, staying on top of your licensure is an important task. Interim jobs have quick starts, most inside of a week, and having your license in place is critical. But some licenses take up to four weeks to be activated. So what’s the smart job hunter to do? Be proactive and begin the licensing procedure while you’re still on assignment at your current job. And remember, 360 Healthcare Staffing will reimburse the licensure cost, even if your license is not used immediately after it is received.

As a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist, your licensure is state-by-state. Talk to a 360 Healthcare Staffing recruiter about which states have the most opportunities and where you might want to work in the future.

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May 9

How your attitude can impact your recovery

Attitude in recoveryAfter an injury, illness or surgery, not being able to do the activities you usually enjoy can be frustrating and upsetting. But as you work with a speech, physical or occupational therapist, one of the most powerful tools will be your attitude.

Current research indicates that a positive attitude and using applied mental techniques may mean a shorter, more successful rehabilitation. Your mind exerts powerful control over your body and researchers found that fast healing individuals used several specific tactics to improve their results. They shouldered personal responsibility for healing, showed determination and desire to heal, used creative visualization and asked for more social support, in addition to a having a positive approach to their condition.

If you find yourself getting angry and frustrated, share those feelings with your therapist and ask about coping skills that will increase your self-confidence, lessen your fear of re-injury and assist with your overall recovery.

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