Skip to main content

Nutrition and Aging Reflection


Amber Truhitt 

 What were the key takeaway points from the guest lecture today? 

 I found today's lecture very informative with lots of great information that will be helpful to me in the future.  I was very surprised by how fast older adults lose lean body mass in comparison to younger adults. I think this fact will be very important to take into consideration, especially when in the acute care setting where it is likely for older adults to be in the hospital for 3 days.  I have a greater appreciation for how important nutrition is for all individuals and the impact it has on our health.  I think I will be more aware of things such as the signs of malnutrition in the future when working with clients.  I feel encouraged to work with dietitians in the future since I have a better understanding of their role and the ways in which we can work together to provide the best care to clients.    

 Describe two occupational therapy interventions based on the topic. Each intervention should address a different type of client: individual (1:1), group, or population. 

 One intervention that could be done individually with clients would be providing adaptive equipment to promote independence in self-feeding.  Built up handles, rocker knifes, plate guards, etc. could help the individual with feeding in some instances.  If the environment is preventing the individual from being able to prepare healthy meals, modifications and strategies could be implemented in the kitchen to promote independence.  

 Another intervention that could be done in a group setting would be a healthy cooking class.  This could be a process where the members could make a grocery list that follows a budget, go to the grocery store to buy groceries, and then prepare the meal.  This would help give exposure to ways to prepare food in a healthy way while socializing with others as well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OTPF

The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) is a guide used by occupational therapists and others to help describe the components of occupational therapy practice.  The purpose of the OTPF is to give an overview of an occupational therapist's scope of practice.  It helps improve communication between health professionals by establishing a common language.  It can also be used as a guide to evaluation, intervention, and outcomes.  The OTPF defines the goal of occupational therapy as "achieving health, well-being, and participation in life through engagement in occupation."  It also defines the clients of occupational therapy as well as the domains that interact to affect the client's overall wellness.
Post a Comment
Read more

Pediatric Board Certification

From the time I knew I wanted to become an occupational therapist, I also knew I was interested in working in pediatrics.  I would be most interested in getting a Board Certification in Pediatrics in the future.  I have always enjoyed working with children.  Children are always growing and changing, therefore their needs and interests change along with them.  As an occupational therapist, I like that you are able to grow with them.  I am interested in any specialty certifications that would help me be a more knowledgeable practitioner.  One area of speciality that I have become interested in is becoming a Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPSC).  I have always had a love for animals in general, but specifically horses.  I think Hippotherapy is such a unique form of treatment.  The relationships formed between the participant and the animal are so special.  This area of speciality is one I hope to obtain in the future along with...
1 comment
Read more

Occupational Therapy and the NICU

            I listened to a webinar about OT and the NICU.  My interest has always been in pediatrics ever since I decided that I wanted to be an occupational therapist.  I have been curious to know what it is like being an OT working in the NICU.  The OT, Samantha Monahan’s presentation on working in the NICU gave a great overview of what OT in the NICU looks like.              The role of OT in the NICU is to maximize the occupations of the NICU client.  The environment in the NICU is usually very busy with lots of equipment and people.  The NICU can be very chaotic, noisy, and bright.  The OT can help address some of the issues in the environment to help it be more conducive to the NICU client by trying to mimic the womb.  The client can be preemies, newborns who require medical care, or babies withdrawing from medication.  The famil...
Post a Comment
Read more