June has been an incredibly busy month. No complaints here, lots of good things. This month I started working in the SNF 5 days a week. (I’ve been working 4 days a week). This has given me a greater opportunity to work in more than just Skilled Nursing; I’m not floating over the Independent and Assisted Living more frequently. This has had a wonderful impact on my skill sets. I’m working on higher level ADL and IADL tasks, while still getting to spend time in long term care with my folks on The Memory Unit.
We had an absolute heatwave for a full week.
Normally I like to get Residents outside for sessions as much as they’d like, but for a full week, our outdoor sessions were on hold. We had highs of 99 and 100 degrees, with a decent amount of humidity. This New England girl did not enjoy. And many of the Residents (though usually cold on the day-to-day), were feeling the effects of the heat as well. So many sessions were kicked off with a little blend of cranberry juice and ginger ale over ice, and lots of rest breaks 🙂
My Sticker-by-Number Book got lots of use.
Several of my Residents have goals around prolonged standing and/or activity tolerance. Especially for folks on The Memory Unit, I don’t like to make them just stand for the sake of standing. This Sticker-by-Number book has been the perfect option. I have found it’s incredibly easy to modify for various cognitive needs, prompts use of both hands at midline, and challenges the mind while in standing which in turn challenges the balance systems in the body.
There’s been a heavy focus on wheelchairs.
Wheelchair prescription used to be one of the most intimidating parts of this job when I first started. Now it’s become second hand. There’s nothing like seeing improved function and comfort after just a simple switch of a cushion or modification to a footplate.
The Memory Unit OT 
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