Optimal Level Of Functioning Research Articles

Looking at Adaptive Devices through the Eyes of Occupational Therapy

The concept of adaptive devices, as suggested by Schwartz during his keynote address at the 1992 Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy conference, is perhaps one of the greatest ideas in occupational therapy. Adaptive devices play an integral role in the philosophy and process of occupational therapy; as they modify and assist in an individual's environment, adaptive devices promote the greatest amount of independence and an optimal level offunctioning. Present in home, school, worksite, and community recreational settings, adaptive devices are found everywhere in our environment, in both simple and complex

Meeting the health care needs of rural elderly: client satisfaction with a university-sponsored nursing center.

Responding to health care needs of the elderly has presented great challenges for health care professionals. These problems are compounded in rural communities by physical and social isolation, increased poverty, and lack of transportation. An innovative approach to meeting health needs of rural elderly is through nursing centers. Through an emphasis on health promotion and maintenance of optimal level of functioning, these primary health care facilities can foster independence and self-care for this targeted population. In addition, nursing centers serve as clinical sites for student learning experiences and settings for nursing research. This article focuses on a nursing center established at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (EUP), which tailors its services to the elderly living in Edinboro. Results of a client satisfaction survey, based on the Risser Patient Satisfaction Instrument, are described in addition to patterns of nursing center usage, general categories of care, teaching interventions, referrals, counseling, and frequency of visits. Findings from the survey indicated a general high client satisfaction level with nursing care received at the center. Discussion also includes plans to expand services to elderly in the community through home visits.

Pressure Techniques For The Prevention Of Hypertrophic Scar

No ideal or all-purpose method of scar control exists. Successful management of hypertrophic scar depends on early and aggressive treatment. The creative use of available products facilitates the production of a cosmetic and functional scar. Selection of the appropriate contact media will be influenced by the size, location, and depth of the injury; the scar's ability to tolerate shear and pressure; the availability of various products; and, most importantly, the patient's involvement in his or her own rehabilitation. The use of pressure is only one segment of the total rehabilitation of the thermally injured patient. Its use in conjunction with exercise, splinting, positioning, and reconstructive surgery allows an optimal level of function and cosmesis to be achieved.

Functional and Mental Status Outcomes: of Clients Discharged from Acute Gerontological Versus Medical/Surgical Units

The goal of a specialized geriatric unit in an acute care hospital setting is to minimize losses and have the patient maintain or achieve an optimal level of functioning and cognition. This study showed that more acute clients on a geriatric unit maintained or improved functioning capacity at a significant level in fewer days and at a lowered cost. Nursing implications include inservice training specific to caring for geriatric clients and providing early assessment and identification of strengths. Interventions such as reality orientation and early proactive measures can be used to maintain or achieve optimal cognitive functional capacity.

The Effects of the Standard Rolling Walker and Two Posterior Rolling Walkers on Gait Variables of Normal Children

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the standard rolling walker (SRW) and two veresions of the posteriorly placed posterior rolling walker on gait variable of a sample of normal children. The two versions of the posterior rolling walker included the two-wheeled model (PRW2) and the four-wheeled model (PRW4). Nineteen children aged six to eight years old from two suburban first and second grade classrooms comprised the sample. The footprint method of analysis was used to record and measure the variables of velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, base of support, and toe angle. Each child was initially recorded while walking unassisted, and then with ths SRW, PRW2 and PRW4 presented in randomized order for a total of four trials per child. The mean values for each gait variable were obtained for each trial for each child. A Multiple Analysis of Variance with one repeated measure and Duncan Multiple Comparison Tests were used to analyze these data. Results indicated that use of a walker, regardless of model, changed normal (unassisted) gait in all variables measured except toe angle. Gait using the PRW4 most closely approximated unassisted gait. Results may have implications for clinicians both in setting the optimal level of function that might be expected from children using walkers and in choosing among walker models for their patients.

Interventions with Alcoholics and Their Families

Different types of alcoholism seem to exist, but all alcoholics progress through predictable stages. At any stage, interventions can be made by the nurse. The most effective, though unorthodox, interventions include the use of reversals (encouraging more of the same behavior) and the use of leverage (requiring treatment). These interventions focus upon the alcoholic. Family intervention, however, is a necessary condition for the complete recovery of the alcoholic and his family. The family system is a more powerful force than the addiction itself and has great potential for overcoming or sustaining the alcoholism. Using Bowen's family systems theory, the alcoholic family system was explained along with appropriate interventions for it. The major interventions included coaching the co-alcoholic to differentiate a self in the family system, to modify the habitual overfunctioner and pursuer roles, to bridge cutoffs, and to de-triangle oneself as the anxiety and tension rise in the family system. This article focuses on the alcoholic and the family system during the period of active alcoholism. Work on the family system is equally necessary and rewarding to family members once abstinence and sobriety are established. Families with alcoholism require several years of such work before the family system reaches an optimal level of functioning. Family systems work is a powerful, therapeutic adjunct to alcoholism treatment for the alcoholic and the participation of family members in Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, and Adult Children of Alcoholics is quite useful. Work with the alcoholic family system introduces a note of optimism for the future. As high levels of anxiety are reduced, opportunities are provided for differentiating a self in the family system, and triangling in of children becomes less necessary. The transmission of alcoholism and its effects are thereby lessened for future generations of children of alcoholics.

Ergonomics, Occupational Therapy, and Computers

The use of computers in our daily home and work environment is increasing. Occupational therapy computer users and clinicians need to be aware of the psychological and physical adaptations which are required by individuals using video display terminals (VDTs). Ergonomics, the study of the interaction between the worker and the work environment, is dedicated to the promotion of worker health, safety, and productivity. The rehabilitationist's goals have always been to bring the patient to his or her optimal level of functioning, often involving the adaptation of the individual workstation in a retrospective manner. However, it is the role of the ergonomist to design work environments which anticipate and adapt to the physical and psychological needs of its workers. This paper will review basic ergonomic design principles for VDT workstations, which can assist the occupational therapist.

Ergonomics, Occupational Therapy, and Computers

The use of computers in our daily home and work environment is increasing. Occupational therapy computer users and clinicians need to be aware of the psychological and physical adaptations which are required by individuals using video display terminals (VDTs). Ergonomics, the study of the interaction between the worker and the work environment, is dedicated to the promotion of worker health, safety, and productivity. The rehabilitationist's goals have always been to bring the patient to his or her optimal level of functioning, often involving the adaptation of the individual workstation in a retrospective manner. However, it is the role of the ergonomist to design work environments which anticipate and adapt to the physical and psychological needs of its workers. This paper will review basic ergonomic design principles for VDT workstations, which can assist the occupational therapist.

Long-Term Care of the Elderly

Position Paper1 May 1984Long-Term Care of the ElderlyHEALTH AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEEHEALTH AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEESearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-100-5-760 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptLong-term care refers to the medical and support services needed to attain an optimal level of physical, social, and psychological functioning by persons who are frail and dependent due to chronic physical or mental impairments. It includes services to prevent avoidable deterioration of health, to treat acute exacerbations of chronic illness, to maintain the greatest possible independence, and to restore the person to the optimal level of functioning that can be sustained. Long-term care is often mistakenly seen as only nursing home care or home health care. It, nevertheless, includes diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative, supportive, and maintenance services in both...

A New Geriatric Application of Electrocardiographic Treadmill Testing in an Office Setting*

An accepted method of measuring exercise tolerance was applied exclusively to geriatric practice for the purpose of exercise prescription. This stress testing was performed to minimize the risks of introducing exercise in an elderly population, and to restore or maintain elderly persons at their own optimal level of function, for life. As no geriatric testing protocol was available, two standardized protocols were chiefly used to start the trial program in March, 1978. A geriatric modification devised by the author is described. During the first month of the study, in a physician's office, ECG-monitored treadmill testing was conducted without mishap in 175 patients (age range, 60--89 years). All but 4 of the subjects (98 percent) led habitually sedentary lives, and documented coronary heart disease was present in about one-fourth of the series. The initial test data in this proposed continuing study are summarized. The methods for candidate selection, the safety precautions, and the test procedure are outlined. The distinction is made between testing by functional grades and testing to maximal levels. Information obtained from this stress test is an integral part of the individualized exercise prescription for each geriatric subject.