So, yesterday was an interesting day. I chatted with Daniel, my boss, for awhile and the subject of me really enjoying and wanting to continue work like what I'm doing at Morningside came up. He said, "So, what are you planning to do when you get back from Spain? Will you be done after that?" with clear intentions of considering hiring me for the new part-time position that will be available in August. Boy was I bummed! The work there is really relaxing and enjoyable. It's a job that I wouldn't even really call work because I truly enjoy it so much.
We also chatted about my dementia project that has been slowly moving along because Daniel has just been so stinkin' busy getting his work done that we haven't had a chance to formally meet. I expressed my concerns to him about lack of internet and he let me get on his computer for 30-45 minutes yesterday afternoon to lay out plans for next week. My new schedule will be:
9-10: Chat with residents/get any necessary info from Daniel
10-11: Shadow Rebecca
11-1130: Set up for activity at 12:30
1130-1230: Lunch
1230-130: Activity targeting severe dementia patients
130-5: Helping with whatever is on the schedule for the day
This schedule will be much more beneficial for me because I haven't been able to shadow really at all the past two weeks because there's been no one to shadow when I've been able to go down. Hopefully this change will fix that and I'll get some more shadowing experience!
Also, yesterday I got to witness the town hall meeting at Morningside which is a really nice opportunity for residents to express their concerns to the directors of the center and get their questions answered and concerns heard. I was really happy with what I saw in the process. The directors were all very flexible and I know from working with the staff that they really do care about what the residents want and do their best to ensure that a compromise is made. Hopefully I'll work for similar facilities in the future or have enough say-so to make changes in that direction.
Until next time,
Megan
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Cool Whip and Food Coloring
I haven't written nearly as much as I'd hoped to. Not having internet/computer access while I'm at the internship makes it difficult for me to remember to update. My goal is to do better this week and write at least two more times.
So, my internship is going really well now. I know a lot of the residents well and know a lot of their routines so that I am better able to help them get where they need to be throughout the day. Also, I've figured out what types of things that I can do when there isn't anything on the schedule. The first week and a half, I was walking around trying to figure out what exactly I was expected to do during those times. For me, it was also awkward because the residents didn't recognize me yet and didn't understand why I was trying to get them to participate in activities with me. Some things that I have been doing include reading The Tennessean to residents that can't see well enough to or just like to hear someone else read to them and be able to participate in a discussion about the article afterwards. I have also played several board and card games with residents, done crafts and simply had some good group discussions.
Last week was my first time planning an event by myself. I had to plan an event for the severe dementia patients -- the ones who can only follow very simple directions and usually like to put things in their mouth. So, I found a really neat idea that involved cool whip, food coloring, paper and paintbrushes! I made paints by mixing the food coloring and cool whip. We gave residents paper and paintbrushes and showed them how to do in the hopes that they would follow our lead. They did!!!! And they really seemed to enjoy it. One of the residents started talking a lot (which is very rare for her) and two residents enjoyed a plate of food-colored cool whip while painting. It was truly a success because the group that we targeted hardly gets to truly participate in activities because they take so much individual attention. It was a wonderful experience seeing them have fun and knowing that I played a part in it. Daniel agreed that the activity was a success and plans to do it again in the future.
Yesterday, I modpodged the paintings and hung them up in the activities room for everyone to see!
One thing that hasn't been going so well is my time shadowing the OT. Either I'm busy or she's not working with a patient that I can shadow. I've barely gotten to shadow since the second week. I am still continuing to check everyday when I'm available and hopefully I'll be able to get some time in.
Another thing that I have been sort of concerned or frustrated with is the diets of the residents. They eat A LOT. I don't necessarily mean quantity wise. For instance, we have ice cream social on Tuesdays, Morningside bakers (where we typically make a sweet) on Thursdays, (Krispy Kreme) donuts and coffee and social hour (with wine, punch and a mini-meal) on Fridays. That, along with meals at 8am/9am, 11am/12pm, and 4pm/5pm that always come with dessert, is slightly concerning to me. Possibly since it is an independent and assisted facility instead of a nursing home, they have less control over the 'cliets' diets. They just give them as many options as they can.
Anyways, that's all I have this morning. I'll have to head to work soon. I hope to update again very soon.
Cheers,
Megan
So, my internship is going really well now. I know a lot of the residents well and know a lot of their routines so that I am better able to help them get where they need to be throughout the day. Also, I've figured out what types of things that I can do when there isn't anything on the schedule. The first week and a half, I was walking around trying to figure out what exactly I was expected to do during those times. For me, it was also awkward because the residents didn't recognize me yet and didn't understand why I was trying to get them to participate in activities with me. Some things that I have been doing include reading The Tennessean to residents that can't see well enough to or just like to hear someone else read to them and be able to participate in a discussion about the article afterwards. I have also played several board and card games with residents, done crafts and simply had some good group discussions.
Last week was my first time planning an event by myself. I had to plan an event for the severe dementia patients -- the ones who can only follow very simple directions and usually like to put things in their mouth. So, I found a really neat idea that involved cool whip, food coloring, paper and paintbrushes! I made paints by mixing the food coloring and cool whip. We gave residents paper and paintbrushes and showed them how to do in the hopes that they would follow our lead. They did!!!! And they really seemed to enjoy it. One of the residents started talking a lot (which is very rare for her) and two residents enjoyed a plate of food-colored cool whip while painting. It was truly a success because the group that we targeted hardly gets to truly participate in activities because they take so much individual attention. It was a wonderful experience seeing them have fun and knowing that I played a part in it. Daniel agreed that the activity was a success and plans to do it again in the future.
Yesterday, I modpodged the paintings and hung them up in the activities room for everyone to see!
One thing that hasn't been going so well is my time shadowing the OT. Either I'm busy or she's not working with a patient that I can shadow. I've barely gotten to shadow since the second week. I am still continuing to check everyday when I'm available and hopefully I'll be able to get some time in.
Another thing that I have been sort of concerned or frustrated with is the diets of the residents. They eat A LOT. I don't necessarily mean quantity wise. For instance, we have ice cream social on Tuesdays, Morningside bakers (where we typically make a sweet) on Thursdays, (Krispy Kreme) donuts and coffee and social hour (with wine, punch and a mini-meal) on Fridays. That, along with meals at 8am/9am, 11am/12pm, and 4pm/5pm that always come with dessert, is slightly concerning to me. Possibly since it is an independent and assisted facility instead of a nursing home, they have less control over the 'cliets' diets. They just give them as many options as they can.
Anyways, that's all I have this morning. I'll have to head to work soon. I hope to update again very soon.
Cheers,
Megan
Monday, May 13, 2013
Week 2 // Day 6
After an extra busy weekend, I was semi-beat this morning during my preparation and arrival to work. Only a few minutes there and I was pepped up and ready to make energetic conversation with the residents. I have come to find they have that effect on me.
This morning, I got to shadow Rebecca for a bit. I talked to her and Gayle, the PTA, about their favorite settings they've had a chance to work in. Both said small outpatient settings and inpatient (brain, spinal cord, and head injuries). But both also discussed how their are so many areas to get involved in. Burns, worker's compensation, aquatics, sports medicine, and the school system are just a few. Another thing that I learned was that PRN means as needed. Prior to today, I thought it was something that required additional certification.
Watching Gayle and Rebecca work with the residents, I have realized that they are more than just a therapist to many they work with. They converse with them and find out how their lives are going. Today, a lady was really struggling with her exercises. Rebecca asked her questions until she figured out what was wrong and the lady ended up missing her second appointment because she finally let Rebecca know that she wasn't really up to doing anything else.
One thing that's great about OT is that creativity comes into play when there are limited resources and a wide range of needs being addressed. Also, I found out that Rebecca normally sees patients because of falls or breaks. They work to increase balance for fall patients and increase the strength while maintaining the flexibility of the patients with wrist and shoulder injuries. Those are my assumptions based on what I have witnessed thus far along with some things that Rebecca has said to me.
I really enjoy that the clinic seems friendly and laid back. Yes patients are encouraged to work hard but therapy is a positive thing in most cases because it is a time for people to work towards improving themselves and their lives. Most are happy about getting to do that.
Aside from the experience at the clinic today, I spent some time with two patients that have pretty severe dementia. I plan to give hand massages to severe dementia residents tomorrow if the nursing director approves it because I have read online in several places that it's relaxing to the residents and provides them with some sensory stimulation which can be beneficial. Either way, I think it would be an enjoyable experience for them and something that I can do one-on-one as a nice beginning to my dementia activity series.
I'm excited to get started in both the dementia series and my career as an OT!
Until next time,
Megan
This morning, I got to shadow Rebecca for a bit. I talked to her and Gayle, the PTA, about their favorite settings they've had a chance to work in. Both said small outpatient settings and inpatient (brain, spinal cord, and head injuries). But both also discussed how their are so many areas to get involved in. Burns, worker's compensation, aquatics, sports medicine, and the school system are just a few. Another thing that I learned was that PRN means as needed. Prior to today, I thought it was something that required additional certification.
Watching Gayle and Rebecca work with the residents, I have realized that they are more than just a therapist to many they work with. They converse with them and find out how their lives are going. Today, a lady was really struggling with her exercises. Rebecca asked her questions until she figured out what was wrong and the lady ended up missing her second appointment because she finally let Rebecca know that she wasn't really up to doing anything else.
One thing that's great about OT is that creativity comes into play when there are limited resources and a wide range of needs being addressed. Also, I found out that Rebecca normally sees patients because of falls or breaks. They work to increase balance for fall patients and increase the strength while maintaining the flexibility of the patients with wrist and shoulder injuries. Those are my assumptions based on what I have witnessed thus far along with some things that Rebecca has said to me.
I really enjoy that the clinic seems friendly and laid back. Yes patients are encouraged to work hard but therapy is a positive thing in most cases because it is a time for people to work towards improving themselves and their lives. Most are happy about getting to do that.
Aside from the experience at the clinic today, I spent some time with two patients that have pretty severe dementia. I plan to give hand massages to severe dementia residents tomorrow if the nursing director approves it because I have read online in several places that it's relaxing to the residents and provides them with some sensory stimulation which can be beneficial. Either way, I think it would be an enjoyable experience for them and something that I can do one-on-one as a nice beginning to my dementia activity series.
I'm excited to get started in both the dementia series and my career as an OT!
Until next time,
Megan
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Day 1
It's 8:22am and I'm already up and ready to be there at 9. I thought I would quickly give an update about what I did yesterday and what I will be expected to do in the future.
Yesterday, for the first hour that I was there I had very little to do. I just kind of sat around and checked my Facebook and Pinterest. Then, I went down and chatted with the OT about what days/times I can shadow. I'll be shadowing MTW from 2-3pm. Although we've already seen a conflict with Monday and plan to change it to 1-2pm. Then, I went to the lobby and chatted with some of the 'lobby-dwellers.' They were some sweet individuals out there. Despite having worked with the elderly population quite a bit, I still struggle with raising my voice enough that they can hear me. I feel like I'm screaming---which is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing but it doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about doing it.
After visiting with residents, I had a cup of coffee and figured out what exactly I needed to do. Daniel assigned me the task of coming up with exercises for patients with dementia and visually or hearing impaired patients. That's my primary assignment for the next eight weeks. I have to come up with a good solid plan for activities and an implementation plan. Yesterday, I started working on a list of activities and a scheduling time. It looks like at 10am everyday I'll be leading the activities that I plan once I figure them out. I'm excited but also nervous about the assignment. It's going to be very trial and error. I think over the next couple of days, I am going to get to meet the people that he is wanting me to focus on which will make it much easier for me to develop a plan. Right now, I don't know the severity of dementia that I'm working with so it makes it hard to plan appropriate activities for them. Once we chatted, I think he understood that and realized I really needed to meet them first.
In the afternoon, I shadowed the OT for about 45 minutes. The therapy sessions seemed very laxed. The residents frequently needed pretty long breaks because they fatigued so easily from the activities. When I talked to her, she mentioned how much the field has changed over the past 30 years. She said when she first became an OT, there was very little paperwork and basically all of her time was spent with patients in therapy sessions. Then in the early 90's, policies changed and much more paperwork was needed in order for patients to get approved for therapy. She said that was a major downfall of the job now, but I think it's definitely something that I could deal with.
Afterwards, I helped a resident with bingo which was a blast. All of the residents are so eager to win and anxious to hear the next letter and number to be called. Residents are set up on a newly implemented points system. They get a point for every time they win regular bingo and two points for every time they win a coverall. After all the rounds have been played, a prize table is waiting for them in the activities room where they can choose their prize or save their points for larger, more valuable prizes. This is really neat system that I plan to share with the facilities that I work with in Berea.
Overall, my first day was a wonderful experience. I hope to have more to do in the future and so far on day two, I have had. The people here are super friendly, welcoming, and open to conversation. Hopefully it will go this well all eight weeks!!
Until next time,
Megan
Yesterday, for the first hour that I was there I had very little to do. I just kind of sat around and checked my Facebook and Pinterest. Then, I went down and chatted with the OT about what days/times I can shadow. I'll be shadowing MTW from 2-3pm. Although we've already seen a conflict with Monday and plan to change it to 1-2pm. Then, I went to the lobby and chatted with some of the 'lobby-dwellers.' They were some sweet individuals out there. Despite having worked with the elderly population quite a bit, I still struggle with raising my voice enough that they can hear me. I feel like I'm screaming---which is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing but it doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about doing it.
After visiting with residents, I had a cup of coffee and figured out what exactly I needed to do. Daniel assigned me the task of coming up with exercises for patients with dementia and visually or hearing impaired patients. That's my primary assignment for the next eight weeks. I have to come up with a good solid plan for activities and an implementation plan. Yesterday, I started working on a list of activities and a scheduling time. It looks like at 10am everyday I'll be leading the activities that I plan once I figure them out. I'm excited but also nervous about the assignment. It's going to be very trial and error. I think over the next couple of days, I am going to get to meet the people that he is wanting me to focus on which will make it much easier for me to develop a plan. Right now, I don't know the severity of dementia that I'm working with so it makes it hard to plan appropriate activities for them. Once we chatted, I think he understood that and realized I really needed to meet them first.
In the afternoon, I shadowed the OT for about 45 minutes. The therapy sessions seemed very laxed. The residents frequently needed pretty long breaks because they fatigued so easily from the activities. When I talked to her, she mentioned how much the field has changed over the past 30 years. She said when she first became an OT, there was very little paperwork and basically all of her time was spent with patients in therapy sessions. Then in the early 90's, policies changed and much more paperwork was needed in order for patients to get approved for therapy. She said that was a major downfall of the job now, but I think it's definitely something that I could deal with.
Afterwards, I helped a resident with bingo which was a blast. All of the residents are so eager to win and anxious to hear the next letter and number to be called. Residents are set up on a newly implemented points system. They get a point for every time they win regular bingo and two points for every time they win a coverall. After all the rounds have been played, a prize table is waiting for them in the activities room where they can choose their prize or save their points for larger, more valuable prizes. This is really neat system that I plan to share with the facilities that I work with in Berea.
Overall, my first day was a wonderful experience. I hope to have more to do in the future and so far on day two, I have had. The people here are super friendly, welcoming, and open to conversation. Hopefully it will go this well all eight weeks!!
Until next time,
Megan
Friday, May 3, 2013
Orientations and Expectations
I'm really excited about this internship because the staff at Morningside seem very friendly and open to providing assistance and engaging in meaningful conversation. The more time I've spent at Berea, the more I realize that everyone is just so stinkin' busy, they rarely take the time to have good conversation with others or just relax with others that aren't in their friend niche. For me, this is discouraging because I really enjoy getting to know new people and hearing their perspective. Often times, just through casual conversation, I can learn a lot about a person's outlook on life.
One thing that I really hope to get out of this experience is to have a better understanding of what I personally want to do. Right now, I believe that OT is the career for me. I love working with people one-on-one and I enjoy feeling like I'm directly impacting someone else's life. With OT, from what I understand, you typically set goals for yourself and your client and each session you spend working towards that goal. After 4-6 weeks, you assess the progress that you've made on them, if any are complete, and decide on some goals if old ones were completed. However, having worked in an area similar to activities for the past 2 1/2 years, I have really come to enjoy it. It has similar aspects as OT, but is less confined. I get to really be moving all the time---talking to residents, preparing for events, going to meetings, and more---and I definitely don't want a job where I'm sitting all day. I'm to restless and easily bored for that.
Another thing I hope to gain is a new perspective on how things can be ran when working with the elderly. Currently, I have mostly worked with residents who are under the 'nursing' category---meaning they need frequent assistance and can not really do anything for themselves. At this facility, it is n independent, assisted, and nursing which means their residents can do a lot more on their own and are more cognitively sound. This will be a new experience for me.
I'm really excited to see what this experience has in store for me and will be updating frequently over the next 8 weeks!
ooo,
Megan
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