NEO REHAB
We bring to you the new dimensions in the field of Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation.
Team Led by:
Vishnu Ramkumar(MOT - Neuro, Highly specialized OT)
Founder @neo_rehab
REACH-OUT TO US WITH YOUR QUERIES THROUGH OUR MAIL - neorehab4life@gmail.com
What are we supposed to assess as OTs?
Before we jump into our assessment lets take a closer look at our role as an OT in Neurorehabilitation.
Occupational Therapy and Adult Neurorehabiliation
OT helps in facilitating participation in occupations that adults want to, need to or are expected to do
OT revolves around the central concept of participation and/or independence in any occupation
Occupations are defined as any activity or task that the person wishes to perform pertaining to either self care productivity or leisure.
Hence adults who have neurological disorders such as Stroke, Spinal Cord injury, Seizure disorder etc or progressive neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s, etc, Have difficulty in participating in occupations that they value due to the primary and secondary effects of the condition.
Why is an assessment so important ??
Assessment is the pathway to establishing the baseline to the clients premorbid personal, occupational, and environmental details
Understanding the lived experience of the client and building a rapport with them is the first step in the rehabilitation of any patient with any condition
Gathering of these details help the therapist in understanding and building the occupational profile of the client.
It also provides the therapist with information so that they can help the client get to the point where they wanna get to in-terms of occupational performance in a client centered manner
SO WHAT ALL AM I SUPPOSED TO GATHER AS AN OT?
1. DEMOGRAPHICS
2. PROFILE
-Diagnosis and present medical history, co-morbidities and past medical history
-Premorbid and current occupational status (Current occupational status varies from phases of recovery acute-subacute-chronic)
-Family history and Caregiver status, home environment, and equipment’s (if used pre-morbidly due to any past history of illness)
-Roles and Routines
3. CLINICAL EVALUATION OF CURRENT FUNCTIONAL STATUS
-Posture, Attitude & Vitals
-Speech & Mental Health Status and Cognitive assessment(using any standardized tool like MMSE, MoCA, or you could assess it task based in a non standardized manner) but it is recommended that you use MMSE for screening as it assesses basic orientation, attention and Memory.
-Cranial Nerves
-Sensory assessment - Superficial, Deep and Cortical
-T/C/D, Tone & ROM
-Muscle strength and Coordination
-Functional Mobility assessment
-Occupations Assessment - ADLs IADLs Work & Leisure
Hence in conclusion, if you are a practising therapist, or a student. Try out this framework and keep us posted on if this is helpful for getting you the best assessment of your client.
Until next time NeoRehab signing off.
