Challenging Disabilities, Changing Lives!
SEPTEMBER 21 – 27, 2014
Now is your chance to bring awareness to YOUR profession!
– Occupational Therapy – Physical Therapy – Speech Therapy-
Every year, the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation (NRAF) celebrates National Rehabilitation Week with the goal of educating people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation for the nearly fifty million Americans with disabilities.The NRAF was established in 1996 by Allied Services, a not-for-profit integrated health system headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
As therapists, we are devoted to improving the lives of others. Why not use this special week as an opportunity to promote the amazing things that your profession has to offer?
Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate while educating and making a difference in your facility – with nursing staff, residents and family members:
Physical Therapy:
1-Make a poster board display outlining the different types of weight bearing
2-Simulate the challenges our patients have by setting up a wheelchair obstacle relay race course
3-Put the facility staff through some functional testing – Single Limb Stance, Tandem Stance, Flexibility Tests
Occupational Therapy:
1- Make a poster board display of pictures of adaptive feeding equipment and see if nursing staff can label them
2- Simulate the challenges our patients have after having a stroke and have staff attempt to complete a simple activity- my favorite example- have staff make ice-cream sundaes using 1 hand and low vision goggles (then let them eat the ice cream!)
3- Set up a relay activity where staff are required to complete ADL’s using a piece of adaptive equipment
Speech Therapy:
1- Make a poster board display outlining what aspiration looks like
2- Make a poster board display of the characteristics of right and left brain
3- Provide sensitivity training while having staff taste test modified liquid consistencies – there’s nothing like a cup of honey thick coffee!
There is a few to get you started. I’m sure you can think of 100 more! Now get out there and have some fun!!
In YOUR Corner,
Dolores
For more information, contact The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation at 100 Abington Executive Park Clarks Summit, PA 18411 or by phone: 800-943-6723
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