Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic and progressive disorder. The disease most often occurs in people over 65 years old. Accompanied by a degeneration of the cerebral cortex and other areas of the brain which results in impairment of cognitive functions. The causes is unknown.

The disease is characterized by;
1. Memory loos
2. Personality deterioration
3. Confusion
4. Diaorganization
5. Language distortions
6. Sleep and eating disturbance
7. Difficulties with self-care functions

Some tips:-
1. To maintain range of motion, always doing complete exercise.
2. Utilize gross motor activities when fine motor activities become difficult.
3. Maintain balance through reaching activities.
4. Always use daily written schedule, otebook, calendar or list for memory loss.
5. Involve in commuity for socialization.

Occupational Therapy?

Is the "use of productive or creative activity in the treatment or rehabilitation of physically, cognitively, or emotionally disabled people" (American Heritage Dictionary).

A more technical definition is: the use of meaningful occupation to assist people who have difficulty in achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle and to enable an inclusive society so that all people can participate to their potential in daily occupations of life. Occupational therapists work with a variety of individuals who have difficulty accessing or performing meaningful occupations.

Consider another powerful definition of Occupational Therapy stated:

Occupational Therapy is activity analysis and adaptation. Adaptation may take the form of all of the approaches noted in the paragraph above, and any of the modalities Occupational Therapists use in treatment. "Why can the subject not perform said occupation (or task) and what could be adapted to allow this function?". Most commonly, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with people with disabilities to enable them to maximize their skills and abilities.

Occupational therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for "living life to its fullest". This also reflects the intent of the OBRA law of 1993 to provide clients with rehabilitation to their "maximum functional ability".

Services typically include:

* Customized intervention programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities.
* Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations.
* Performance skills assessments and treatment.
* Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training.
* Guidance to family members and caregivers.

OT for Back Pain

Have you fallen or injured your back recently?
■ Does your back feel better – or hurt worse – when you lie down?
■ Are there any activities or positions that ease or aggravate pain?
■ Is your pain worse or better at a certain time of day?
■ Do you or any family members have arthritis or other diseases that might affect the spine?
■ Have you had back surgery or back pain before?
■ Do you have pain, numbness and/or tingling down one or both legs?

WHAT IS BACK PAIN?

Back pain is an all-too-familiar problem that can from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain leaves you incapacitated.

It can come on suddenly-an accident, a fall, or lifting something too heavy - can develop slowly, perhaps as the result of age -related changes to the spine.

Regardless of how it happen show it feels, you know it when you have it. And chances are, if you don’t have it now, you will eventually.


THE RISK FACTOR?

1. Age
The first attack of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 40.

2. Fitness level
Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit. Weak back and abdominal muscles may not properly support the spine. People who go out and exercise a lot after being inactive all week – are more likely to suffer painful back injuries than people who make moderate physical activity a daily habit. Studies show that low-impact aerobic exercise is good for the discs that cushion the vertebrae, the individual bones that make up the spine.

3. Diet
A diet high in calories and fat, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can lead to obesity, which can put stress on the back.

4. Heredity
Some causes of back pain, including disc disease, may have a genetic component.

5. Race
Race can be a factor in back problems. African American women, for example, are two to three times more likely than white women to develop spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra of the lower spine – also called the lumbar spine – slips out of place.

6. The presence of other diseases
Many diseases can contribute to back pain. These include various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and cancers elsewhere in the body that may spread to the spine.

7. Occupational risk factors
Having a job that requires heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling, particularly when this involves twisting or vibrating the spine, can lead to injury and back pain. An inactive job or a desk job may also lead to or contribute to pain, especially if you have poor posture or sit all day in an uncomfortable chair.

8. Cigarette smoking
Smoking may not directly cause back pain,but it increases your risk of developing low back pain and low back pain with sciatica. smoking may lead to pain by blocking your body’s ability to deliver nutrients to the discs of the lower back. Or, repeated coughing due to heavy smoking may cause back pain. It is also possible that smokers are just less physically fit or less healthy than nonsmokers, which increases the likelihood that they will develop back pain. smoking can slow healing, prolonging pain for people who have had back injuries, back surgery, or broken bones.


THE CAUSES?

1. Mechanical problems
2. Injuries
3. Acquired conditions and diseases
4. Infections and tumors


OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ROLES

1. Emphasizes correct ergonomics or design factors, posture and safety practices.
2. Educate patients about health lifestyle daily activities, leisure and work.
3. Help with adjusting to health devices for mobility and operation.
4. Educate pt. and training in functional activities by maintaining normal spinal


OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT

1. Educate

* Education in energy conservation and pacing skills to be used with all ADL and work-related tasks for symptom control.

* Education in faulty body mechanics and poor postures with specific tasks and practice in correct techniques.

2. Functional program

* Progressive repetitive tasks to build strength and endurance for specific activities, minimizing spinal stress.

* Training in simulated work tasks to minimize spinal stress and grading tolerance to these tasks.

3. Assistive device

* Training in use of assistive devices to increase independence in ADL when there is pain and limitation and to minimize recurrence of symptoms.