Tracing the Roots of Occupational Therapy

“Four Belgian WW1 veterans with prosthetic arms working in a machine shop in 1917. The occupational therapy took place at the Institute de Port Villez, Belgium” Did you know that the field of occupational therapy (OT) did not exist until the early 1900’s? Even though occupational therapy is relatively a new profession compared to other…

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The Road to Becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

occupational therapy

Pursuing a career in occupational therapy can be very fulfilling. As an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), you are able to help individuals recover from an injury or illness and form lasting relationships. You are able to have a direct impact on someone’s life and help them achieve independence. What is…

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How Does Occupational Therapy Work and Why Is It So Important? 

occupational therapy

Occupational therapy helps patients regain daily living skills that are necessary for everyday activities. Occupational therapy (OT) helps treat people who are injured, disabled or ill through the use of various techniques and exercises. The goal is to help them re-gain independence and be safe in their environment. Therapy can also help patients recover from…

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What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy helps patients regain daily living skills that are necessary for everyday activities. Occupational Therapy has been in existence for at least as long as 1917, when it officially became a profession. Created initially to help engage those with mental illness with their professions, it has since evolved to become much more than that.…

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Study Analyzes Effects of Levodopa on early Parkinson’s Speech Symptoms

effects of levodopa

A recently conducted study analyzed the effects of levodopa, a drug used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. McKnight’s reports the study found that levodopa does not have an effect on speech in early stage disease. About 90 percent of diagnosed patients experience hypokinetic dysarthria which constitutes monotone or emotionless speech patterns. Earlier studies could…

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SNFs Approach Mandated Vaccination Rates

vaccination rates

Recent data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) indicates skilled nursing facilities are steadily approaching required vaccinated rates for employees as mandated by CMS, reports Skilled Nursing News. About 85 percent of employees have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 per facility. The rate for vaccinated residents is slightly higher at 87.3 percent.…

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The Importance of Therapy after a Brain Injury

Brain Injury

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Brain injuries can be very complex, and no two brain injuries are exactly the same. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, an acquired brain injury is one that happens in the course of someone’s lifetime, and it is not congenital or induced by trauma during birth. These types…

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CMS Makes SNF Booster Data Available Online

snf booster

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has started posting COVID-19 booster information online for nursing homes. McKnight’s reports the goal of this policy is to “improve transparency” for those using or needing skilled nursing services. This data can be found online at CMS’s Care Compare website. The information pertains to both employees and…

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Lawmakers Push for Extension of Telehealth Services

telehealth services

The “Telehealth Extension and Evaluation Act” was introduced by two lawmakers in early February. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Todd Young (R-IN) are hoping this bipartisan bill will allow Medicare funded telehealth services to be continued for another two years, reports McKnight’s. If passed, this will allow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)…

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