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Beginning of Sophomore Year - Fall 2021 Semester Professional Behaviors Assessment Reflection

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Professional Behaviors Professional Competence and Commitment to Learning(2)

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Goal #1: To participate in a class discussion at least once each week during the Fall 2021 semester. To document this and properly track my progress, I will keep a running list of how I am participating each week and take a picture of that list at the end of the semester and upload it here.

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For this specific goal, I had decided that the best way to record my participation each week would be to make a running list of the class dates along with what I had done in the class that corresponded with each particular date. I had been able to successfully do this after at least one class every week except for one occasion. In regards to how I feel about how this goal of mine had gone over the course of the semester, I feel as though I had been able to be rather successful and had been able to build my confidence within speaking in bigger group settings. I hope to continue to do something similar to this in the future to motivate me to participate and build my confidence in not only this class but in all of my classes and in many other areas of my life as well.

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Goal #2: Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Semesters

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Goal #2: Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Semesters

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Goal #2: To visit more OT scholars’ social media pages & published content (Examples: Podcasts and YouTube videos) by the end of the 2021-2022 academic school year. Specifically, I want to have looked into at least four different authors' published content by the end of the 2021-2022 academic school year.

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Fall 2021 Semester
First Podcast: Spill the OT: Occupational Therapy: The Ups, The Downs,  & Everything in Between

Background Info: This podcast claims to be a judgment-free zone where individuals can spill all of the “tea” about OT, PT, and SLP. In the podcast, the host talks to real therapists out in the field to learn about the good, the bad, and essentially, everything in between, and there are no topics that are considered to be off-limits or left unsaid. Some of the topics in which are discussed within the episodes consist of salary, medicare, student loans, and of course, the good, the bad, and the ugly of all things therapy.

Episode: OT - Mentorship for New Grads: Within this particular episode, the host had done a Q&A with questions sent in for the special guest being featured on this episode, Angela Bender. This particular guest had been a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience under her belt as well as owning her own small pediatric therapy practice in southern Oregon. Some information provided about this particular guest had been that she finds joy in mentoring clinicians who are newly entering the world of pediatric OT. She also helps these clinicians make the transition to being a seasoned pediatric OT in less time, with less risk of burning out in the long run. Her ultimate goal is to create a community that provides mentoring resources and products that solve the problem of limited time and resources for collaboration, job training, and mentoring in healthcare today.

Reflection: I really enjoyed listening to this podcast because it is not only talking about the good that comes from being an OT but it is also talking about the current issues and struggles those who are newly coming into the profession may face. I also like how they go on to talk about how some individuals out there within the profession already are trying to help those who are starting their careers and journey. It was very enjoyable to listen to and I was not bored at all during the duration of the episode.

Second Podcast: OT & Chill: All Things Occupational Therapy

Background Info: The only information that this podcast had been able to provide their audience with had been that it had been one in which all areas of OT would be explored and talked about.

Episode: Episode 42 - Unlocking OT Potential in Criminal Justice System: This episode had been part of a mini-series that the host of this particular podcast had been doing within previous episodes and it is the final episode of the mini-series. Within this episode, the host is joined by Crystal Dieleman who is currently working as an associate professor at Dalhousie University in Canada and has spent most of her career working and researching the areas of Occupational Therapy, mental health, and the criminal justice system. In this episode, Crystal and the host go on to discuss topics such as aging in prison, working in and out of institutional systems, challenging perspectives, and the development of a Justice Based Occupational Therapy Network.

Reflection: I really enjoyed listening to this particular podcast because originally, before choosing to pursue being an OT major, I had considered being a criminal justice major. Being able to see the two overlap in some aspects was really interesting to me, intrigued me, and had been able to bring to life a new possibility for my career as an OT in the future.

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Goal #2: Evidence - Spring 2022 Semester

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Goal #2: Evidence - Spring 2022 Semester

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Spring 2022 Semester

Third Podcast: OT Dude

Background Info: Occupational Therapist, Jeff, discusses all things OT within this particular Podcast. He touches upon topics that are important for all within the profession, regardless of their level of expertise. Specifically, he talks about what the profession exactly is, what we can do within the profession, tips and tricks to help with practice, and even the latest OT research available to practitioners.

Episode: Episode 1 - What is Occupational Therapy: Within this particular episode, Jeff first starts off his entire platform by discussing and defining what exactly OT is. He then goes on to provide us, the listener, with his definition of what OT is that he gives to those who ask him. He further goes on to describe OT as helping individuals across their lifespan in order to complete the tasks that occupy their time, which we would define as their occupations. Then he finishes up his first episode by giving a general overview of what we as OTs do and how everyone can truly benefit from having an OT in their life.

Reflection: Although this episode is very short, it is very informative and I truly believe that this would be a great Podcast to start off listening to when trying to decide if OT is the right career path for an individual. This episode is also very informative and provides a clear definition that can be given to others when asked what OTs do and why the profession is so important. Although I already knew all of this information, I feel as though further episodes by this individual would be worth listening to since he is able to describe his thoughts and ideas very clearly and in a way that is easy to understand and is also entertaining as well.

Fourth Podcast: The Seniors OT Flourish

Background Info: This particular Podcast is one that helps occupational therapy practitioners that work with older individuals be the best that they can be not only by being able to showcase relevant interviews, answering questions, and providing current articles and hot topics to listeners, but also by getting OT practitioners excited about their work with older adults by providing them with fun and effective ideas that they too can use in their practice.

Episode: Promoting OT, Advocating and Marketing Our Distinct Value: Within this particular episode, Mandy Chamberlain discusses exactly what we need to do to promote the profession of occupational therapy itself as well as how we would define OT and what exactly it is that we “do” for our patients. She is joined by a fellow podcaster by the name of Brock Cook who also discusses OT on his platform. They then both start off by discussing how they came to be OTs and why they chose this profession over any other possible one before they go on to share ideas and collaborate with one another all while sharing valuable information with us, the listener.

Reflection: I feel as though this Podcast, specifically this one episode, is very beneficial to listen to not only for those who want to become an OT or are already OTs but also for those who want to understand what exactly the profession is or just simply expand their knowledge. This is truly a great way to inform people about OT and what we do as well as how we can advocate for the profession. The conversation is not boring at all and is very easy to follow and understand. I would recommend any individual who wants to learn more about the profession to listen to this episode of this particular Podcast. I definitely will look into more episodes for this particular Podcast and try to expand my knowledge through the information the host, Mandy Chamberlain, provides.

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Goal #3: Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Semesters 

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Goal #3: Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Semesters 

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Goal #3: To formally meet with my OT family friend to collaborate and share ideas about the profession with her by the end of the 2021-2022 academic school year.

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For this specific goal, I have not been able to make much progress on accomplishing it. I have been meaning to get in contact with my OT family friend in order to share and collaborate ideas with her, but have not had the chance to actually meet with her when I have been home. When I have gone home this semester so far, I have not spent more than two days at most at home, and during that time I had gone to see my family instead of meeting up with this particular individual. However, I am not too upset about my progress so far on this goal because it had been one of my long-term goals and I had wanted to accomplish it by the end of my 2021-2022 academic school year, which is far from over. Regardless of the abundance of time I have left to accomplish this goal, I am planning on contacting this individual when I get home for winter break to set up a specific time where we can both meet with one another sooner rather than later.

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Goal #3: Evidence - Spring 2022 Semester

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Goal #3: Evidence - Spring 2022 Semester

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Although in the Fall 2021 Semester I was not able to meet with my family friend who happens to be an OT herself, I had been able to in the Spring 2022 Semester through FaceTime. Attached is an image of my initial interaction through text messages with this individual that I had decided to reach out to in hopes that she would allow me to interview her. She had agreed to let me interview her and I had asked her a few questions in regards to her experience of what being in school to become an OT was like, what she likes most about being an OT, and what qualities she believes an OT should be able to possess in order to succeed. Below I will attach the list of questions along with her specific answers that I had been able to gather through our FaceTime call. Overall, I had been able to be reassured by this particular individual that I am in fact in the right major for myself and I now look even more forward to the future and what possibilities are open to me after conducting this interview. I also feel as though I now have someone that I can talk to if I have any further questions about any part of what it means to be an OT, which is very helpful and reassuring.

Questions:
1.) Where did you go to school to become an OT?

“Quinnipiac College which is now Quinnipiac University.”

2.) Where do you currently work at? Is this your own practice?

“Nashoba Nursing and Hospice out of Shirley, Massachusetts. I work in home care.”

3.) How long have you worked as an OT?

“Too long. Twenty-eight years, going on my twenty-ninth year now.”

4.) Do you work with any particular age group? If not, do you have a favorite age group to work with?

“Not to say that home care is my favorite group but it is very flexible. It has been so flexible raising a family and being able to make my own schedule for the most part. The age range that I work with usually is with anyone anywhere from 50-60s to 100 years old or getting there and the areas that we work with are typically cardiac, orthopedics, respiratory stuff like COPD, neurological issues like strokes, etc. Sometimes I even feel as though I’m a cheerleader for that generation (older individuals). They are so adorable and most of them are so happy to have you come into their house and help them with anything. I truly pride myself in bringing joy into what may be a difficult situation or into a situation where someone may have difficulty with aging or have a chronic illness that poses an issue. I truly view myself as a functional OT. You know it says to do X, Y, and Z on the care plan but in order to achieve that you can do anything like make a meal while doing dynamic standing, balance, safety awareness, use of adaptive equipment, cognitive assessment, etc. There are just so many things you can do with functional activities.”

5.) What was the hardest part for you about being in school to become an OT?

“For me, it was the math classes, like physics and chemistry, and really any class that involved any kind of calculation. My best classes were the ones that were hands-on, discussion-oriented, and had a lot of interactions involved. I learned best in those types of classes.”

6.) Have you been able to see the profession advance over the years that you have worked in it?

“Yes, OT has definitely advanced in a positive way. I have been doing it for so long and it was always physical therapy that people thought of right away instead of OT. However, most people do not know that OT is such an integral part of what physical therapy does. OT teaches the whole person and teaches us to look at the whole situation rather than just the muscle or the movement that needs to be looked at. You have to look at what you are going to do when you get that movement or strength back such as how are you going to get to the sink, the shower, or even the bathroom. I also think that physical therapists are finally coming along and utilizing their OTs to the best of their ability.”

7.) What qualities and skills do you believe a good occupational therapist possesses?

“Flexibility is truly the number one skill an OT must-have. Being able to pivot and adjust to what the client may need is very important. You may go in there and have your mind set on what the care plan should be and the client may tell you that they do not want to do that or can't do that and you will then need to adjust to what they can do or want to do that day. You have to be able to say that okay my care plan may be down the drain today but how can we still achieve what this person needs.”

8.) Do you think that this profession has been growing in size over the years in terms of how many people are now aware of what it is and are in school for it?

“Yes, what I would say to you is to have a definition of what OT is. People often would ask me if I would help them get a job when I told them what I was studying/am doing as a profession. I think that the amount of connections students within OT programs have with others outside of the program helps grow the awareness of what we do and has been increasing over the years. OT is certainly more popular now than it was when I was in school, or at least it seems to be more well-known and sought out.”

9.) What is your favorite part about being an OT?

“Literally patient care, going into somebody’s house and being able to get an activity done that they did not think that they could do. Being able to help them and problem-solve in order to get the person to complete an activity, such as getting into the shower which may scare them now because they fell last time they were in the shower. Going in and being calm and suggestive, being able to give them appropriate directions can really be beneficial and help them finally get into the shower and be able to bathe themselves after whatever period of time they have not been able to, for this particular example. It is so satisfying when you can actually do an activity with the client and help them out, that is what this entire profession is about, helping others be successful in their daily life and it is so rewarding.”

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End of Sophomore Year - Spring 2022 Semester Professional Behaviors Assessment Reflection

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Professional Behaviors Professional Competence and Commitment to Learning.docx(1)

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Beginning of Junior Year - Fall 2022 Semester Professional Behaviors Assessment Reflection

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Traditional Students Third Year Professional Behaviors Assessment Form-2

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Goal #1: To access and summarize a new article every other week that depicts how different cultures view certain aspects of mental health such as when treatment is needed to be sought out.

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When creating this goal, I knew that it would be a bit hard to achieve but I had been up for the challenge. Although this semester was extremely hard and full of time-consuming work and assignments, I had been able to find time to summarize four different articles since I created this initial goal. Although I had come up short of my goal and only was able to summarize four out of five (4/5) articles, I still was rather proud of myself for this accomplishment. Below I have attached my four different summaries/main points of each different article as well as the links to access them.

Article #1:
Link: https://www.qualityinteractions.com/blog/6-culturally-sensitive-ways-to-approach-mental-health

Summary:
- Culture: Impacts every mental health patient and every mental health practitioner. It includes beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors and affects how we experience and interpret the world, including the meaning we attribute to mental health.
- Cultural Meanings in Clinical Setting: Can account for how a patient seeks or avoids treatment, perceives and expresses symptoms, copes with stress, adheres to treatment plans, and attaches stigma to mental illness.
- Cultural factors can play a role in the development of mental illness and diverse communities are often unfairly burdened with social determinants associated with mental health conditions (poverty, discrimination, exposure to violence, etc) and many of these same groups encounter barriers to treatment as well (mistrust of mental healthcare, language differences, lack of insurance/access, etc).
- Culturally competent mental health management begins with policies and procedures that address the needs of diverse populations which can include hiring a diverse staff and even creating space for training and development.

Article #2:
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3258470/

Summary:
- Purpose: A study was conducted to identify the relationship between race/ethnicity and differences in beliefs on the cause of mental illness, preferences for the treatment type, and provider characteristics. The Cultural Influences on Mental Health framework were utilized within this study to obtain the results.
- Participants: Final sample consisted of 1,257 Non-Latino Whites, 536 African-Americans, 112 Asian-Americans, and 303 Latinos. Interviews had been conducted in Spanish and Chinese to accommodate those who did not speak English.
- Results: African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Latinos had differing beliefs regarding the causes of mental illness when compared to Non-Latino Whites. Race/ethnicity was also associated with determining who makes healthcare decisions, treatment preferences, and preferred characteristics of healthcare providers.
- Conclusions: Highlighted the association between race/ethnicity and health beliefs, treatment preferences, healthcare decisions, and consumers' preferred characteristics of healthcare providers. Being able to accommodate the values and preferences of individuals can be helpful in engaging racial/ethnic minority patients in mental health services.

Article #3:
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09540261.2020.1777748

Summary:
- Mental illnesses occur in all cultures and societies although the stage, severity, and nature of presenting symptoms can vary tremendously. Help-seeking behaviors/patterns also differ according to a number of factors (when, where, and how help is sought is heavily influenced by many socioeconomic and cultural factors). Both social and cultural determinants influence mental health and cultures may also influence and contribute to the cause of mental illnesses.
- Culture has been defined in many different ways. Culture consists of learned behaviors and patterns which influence an individual's lifestyle, backed by knowledge, customs, beliefs, and values which go on to shape human behaviors.
- Cultures impact our lives in both subtle and not subtle ways and they can also affect the way we experience distress, the way in which we express distress, and also where we seek help, among other aspects as well.
- Geopolitical determinants have started to be recognized as important factors in developing and delivering the mental and physical well-being of individuals and their families.
- Societal changes have also led to an increase in rates of psychiatric illnesses in the younger generation.
- One size or model of healthcare and system or therapies does not fit all.

Article #4:
Link: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Diversity_and_Culture_in_Child_Mental_Health_Care-118.aspx

Summary:
- American families come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Each individual's background affects the way he or she views the world and gets help for physical and mental health problems.
- When a mental health professional is needed, it is important to find someone who understands that culture can affect your child's behavior, development, diagnosis, and treatment (culturally informed or culturally competent care).
- Cultural competency is important for considering the following areas of family life: Behaviors that are common and "normal" in one culture even when they are not in others; ways to manage everyday problems that can occur between a child and parents or others; religious beliefs, practices,   and events; family customs and traditions; conflicts that arise between parents and children if the child is spending more time with friends than with family; and different ways of expressing emotions and problems.
- Families may want to see a mental health professional who has a similar background or who knows about their culture. If they are not from the same background and know about their culture, many subjects can be brought up (cultural values and religious beliefs, traditional medicines or treatments, parenting practices, discipline methods, etc).
- Regardless of what language you speak, a mental health professional with cultural sensitivity will better understand your family's POV and can also offer guidance that takes into account the beliefs and values of the family. The more information you can provide to your clinicians to increase understanding about your family's cultural background and value system, the more the professional will be able to help develop a plan to help the child.

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6 Culturally Sensitive Ways to Approach Mental Health

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Discover how you can deliver better, more culturally competent mental health care using 6 culturally sensitive ways to approach mental health patients.

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Goal #2: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Semesters

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Goal #2: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Semesters

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Goal #2: To be able to receive and accept at least three pieces of constructive criticism from my professors and peers and take note of what it is, how it makes me feel, and how I will now use this information to improve my own skills.

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I had not really been able to experience many instances in which I received feedback from my peers in this semester. Instead, there were more instances in which I received feedback from my professors which I was then able to take into consideration and use those suggestions to better my work in future assignments/tests/quizzes.

I hope to work more towards this goal in the Spring 2023 Semester by finding more ways in which I can receive constructive criticism from my peers as well as from my professors in more professional settings/conversations. I feel as though this goal would be very beneficial for me to prioritize next semester as I am finishing up my junior year here at Worcester State and still need to refine my skills in receiving and taking constructive criticism and not be insulted in any way by what is said to me.

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Goal #2: Evidence - Spring 2023 Semester

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Goal #2: Evidence - Spring 2023 Semester

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Within the spring semester, I feel as though I was able to take constructive criticism and suggestions from both my peers/classmates and my professors in many different circumstances. Specifically, within both lab classes and lab practicals (OT318: Therapeutic Approaches Lab II), I was able to receive feedback from both my peers/classmates and my professor as well in order to essentially point me in the right direction to effectively conduct various assessments in therapy sessions with all different types of individuals. Although at times I felt as though the feedback I was receiving was a bit discouraging at first, it ultimately helped me immensely in the long run and will further help me avoid making similar mistakes in the future that I may have not noticed if I had not been corrected by others.

I also feel as though within my fieldwork experience at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital here in Worcester, Massachusetts, I was able to receive feedback from the OT I was assigned to shadow. Although all of her feedback stated I met expectations, she still was able to give me suggestions in person on how to go about conducting certain activities or assessments with clients. I was able to learn a lot within my two days spent there and I am so glad to have gained this experience out in the real world with individuals in the profession.

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Goal #3: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Semesters

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Goal #3: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Semesters

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Goal #3: To utilize a planner for both my daily and monthly tasks at least once a week so that I can actively participate in class discussions more and provide meaningful content to my peers.

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For this particular goal, I had been able to be very successful in keeping on top of writing down every task I needed to accomplish for the week. I remained consistent for all of the Fall 2022 Semester and as a result, was able to get each and every task done on time and was able to schedule my weeks and days better around my workload for the week/day. I plan to continue to utilize this organizational strategy to help me in the future in regards to keeping on top of homework assignments, paper due dates, test/quiz dates, and even other non-school related events/tasks such as grocery shopping, soccer games, family events, etc. Above is just one screenshot of what a week of tasks/events for me during this semester looked like. Although only one screenshot is shown here, I was able to do similar work for each week in this same style planner on my iPad.

In the following semester, I hope that I can utilize both this weekly planner as well as a broader monthly planner, and possibly an even more precise daily planner to make my days even more structured and organized. I hope that by continuing this organizational strategy I can continue to participate in class discussions and provide meaningful conversations and questions to both my classmates and my professors as well.

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Goal #3: Evidence - Spring 2023 Semester

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Goal #3: Evidence - Spring 2023 Semester

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Within the spring semester, I was able to successfully continue using a digital planner on my iPad to keep track of not only my academic life and schedule, but also my soccer life and social life as well. I was able to find several different templates and further try out various ones to see which one worked best for me. Ultimately, I felt as though the template I had originally started using in the previous semester worked best for me. At the start of each week I would update my weekly planner to include all of the events, assignments/exams, practices, etc for the entire week so that I could visualize all that I needed to complete. I found this to be very beneficial as it helped me get everything done and not forget about anything I needed to do as it was written there and I could see it. I also really enjoyed being able to erase/cross off tasks or events I had already completed or attended as it was very satisfying. I will continue to utilize this organizational planner and try and include it in other areas of my life as well if possible (ex: meal planning).

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End of Junior Year - Spring 2023 Semester Professional Behaviors Assessment Reflection

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Beginning of Senior Year - Fall 2023 Semester Professional Identity Assessment Reflection

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Goal #1: To access and summarize at least three articles regarding relevant information on a family member’s condition (Lewy body dementia) that we will discuss within this course by the end of the Fall 2023 semester.

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Article #1: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/lewy-body-dementia/caring-person-lewy-body-dementia

This article was published by the National Institute on Aging (NIH) and further explains how we can educate others about Lewy body dementia (LBD), how to adjust expectations when caring for an individual with this particular diagnosis, how to understand behavioral changes that may occur, how to find time for yourself as a caregiver and further discuss the diagnosis with other family members, and finally, make plans for the end of life as it is inevitable. Caring for an individual with LBD requires an individual to take on many new and different responsibilities. One of which that is extremely important to note in case of any sort of emergency is to prepare by compiling a list of the individual with LBD’s medications and dosages; a list of their health conditions, including allergies to medicines or foods; copies of health insurance card(s) and health care advance directives, such as a living will; and contact information for not only doctors but also for family members and friends. All of this information may be extremely helpful in emergencies when healthcare teams may not be extremely familiar with the diagnosis of LBD. As a caregiver, one may also experience a wide range of emotions as they care for their loved one such as anger, impatience, resentment, or even fatigue. Individuals need to recognize their strengths and limitations as well as understand that planning for the future is important but focusing on creating enjoyable and meaningful moments in the present is also equally important for both the caregiver and the individual with LBD. It is also very important for caregivers to understand the different behavioral changes that may accompany this diagnosis such as hallucinations, delusions, pain, illness, stress, or even anxiety, and have strategies to combat these aspects such as making changes to their environment and/or treating medical conditions. Although caregivers spend most of their time caring for their loved one with the LBD diagnosis, it is essential for them to also find time for themselves to not suffer poor sleep patterns, depression, or even illness as a result of their responsibilities themselves. Finally, discussing this particular diagnosis with family as well as making plans for the end of life is very individual to the person, their support system, their wishes, etc.

Article #2: https://www.lbda.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/causes_of_behavioral_changes_in_lbd.pdf

This article was published by the Lewy body dementia Association (LBDA) and further provides information on possible causes or triggers for behavioral changes that may be present within those with this diagnosis to help those who care for them understand, prevent, or even minimize the symptoms, develop strategies to cope with the changes in behavior and support the individual with LBD and their care team/partners. Some behavioral changes can be attributed to the changes in the brain that go along with the progression of this disease, however, physical or health issues, environmental factors, and social interaction and communication abilities can also all affect the person with LBD’s behavior. There are a variety of health issues that may cause or trigger many of the behavioral changes in LBD and it is imperative to identify if one or more may be the underlying cause. Some of these include extreme fatigue, changes in sleep patterns or sleep-wake cycle, physical discomfort, fever/infections, loss of autonomic functioning (incontinence and dysphagia), Parkinsonism, problems with vision or hearing, and/or medication side effects. As for environmental factors, those such as not enough lighting, too much noise, competing sounds such as TV in the background, an unsafe environment, not enough visual contrast, uncomfortable clothing, etc all can cause behavioral problems to become present in an individual with LBD. Finally, social interaction and communication problems can arise from the individual’s inability to understand when others speak (ex., speaking too quickly, providing too many details, etc), a sense of loss when they are unable to do many activities they used to be able to do, fear, need for attention which can present through emotions such as agitation and aggression, reaction to the negativity around them and their diagnosis, grief, and/or responses to hallucinations and delusions. All of the above-listed factors can and often do contribute to behavioral changes within those with LBD and are therefore important to consider and understand how to combat. With the help of this information sheet, caregivers, whether they be loved ones or a professional health care team, can figure out ways to best address any element that may cause a behavioral change in the individual with LBD and further develop strategies to address them in a safe and effective way.

Article #3: https://www.lbda.org/diet-and-exercise-as-lbd-progresses/#:~:text=Suggest%20easy%20playing%20seated%20games,blood%20flow%20through%20gentle%20massage.

This article was published by the Lewy body dementia Association (LBDA) and further discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and staying physically active as LBD progresses since it can be a challenge for some. Motivation and following instructions often are more difficult for those who have declining cognitive skills and mood changes. Balance, flexibility, and muscle tone may also be affected by movement symptoms. As dementia, regardless of the type, progresses an individual’s preference for certain foods may change and aspects such as malnutrition, weight loss, and dehydration may occur as well. In the early stages of LBD, it is important to maintain a healthy diet as food is not just calories for them but it also holds a nutritional value that can help maintain their health in several different ways. Exercise in the early stages also helps build muscle and cardiovascular strength which can further help with balance and potentially minimize fall risk. In the middle stages of LBD, increasing confusion and/or behavioral changes can often lead to resistance to care. At this point in the disease, it may be best to take a more relaxed approach to diet and exercise. Gently encouraging healthy choices by continuing to provide them with well-balanced meals as well as making sure to respect their wishes as their appetite may change can be helpful. Here it may be beneficial to also offer them opportunities to exercise followed by an activity they enjoy or a special treat. It is important to not pressure them to do anything and further respect their wishes so they do not become angry or agitated. As dementia becomes more advanced, comfort care should be the number one priority of caregivers. When it comes to nutrition, it is important to just make sure they are consuming an adequate number of calories and fluids rather than the perfect balance of nutrition. Further arranging exercises to take place with a friend or loved one may help them in a social aspect as well. However, if exercise is not enjoyable at all to the individual with LBD, as a caregiver you can still provide them comfort and help stimulate their blood flow through a gentle massage. Essentially, as the disease progresses and symptoms worsen the caregiver needs to make sure that their loved one or patient is as comfortable as possible and feels as though they have control of their life, what they do, and what they eat.

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Goal #1: Evidence (Reflection) - Fall 2023 Semester

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Goal #1: Evidence (Reflection) - Fall 2023 Semester

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Each of these articles that I chose and further summarized was selected with my family member who has Lewy body dementia (LBD) in mind. I wanted to be able to find articles that emphasized the impact the disease can have on loved ones and those caring for someone with LBD, what some potential causes or triggers for behavioral changes that may be present within those with this diagnosis are, and how someone with LBD can stay active and eat a healthy diet as their condition progresses. All of these aspects relate specifically to my family members in one way or another. Currently, his wife and son are his caregivers and I often feel like they become overwhelmed and feel discouraged if they are not able to be there for their husband and father all the time. For this reason, I wanted to find an article I could further send to them that addressed a caregiver’s perspective and needs so they know that what they may feel now and then is not abnormal and that they are not alone. I also wanted to find a list of general potential triggers and causes for behavioral changes in those with LBD in case as the disease progresses, some of those listed within the article above appear in my loved one’s personality and day-to-day life. I wanted my family members who are caring for him to be aware of the number of different potential triggers and causes for behavioral changes so they are fully prepared for anything that may come up in the future. Finally, I wanted to find an article that addressed an individual with LBD staying active as their disease progresses because before my family member’s diagnosis, he was extremely active and loved to walk, workout, run, swim, etc. He loved anything outdoors and I know that he would do anything to be able to get back to walking and being active. I wanted to see if any articles or sources out there would be able to help me provide him with safe exercises and ways to stay active or even strategies and exercises that I could send to him and his caregivers. Overall, I liked being able to find so much information about the disease to help my family, however, it did make me very sad because it isn’t just a disease that I’m learning about and don’t have to ever think about again. It’s personal because it affects my family which is hard to acknowledge, however, I know that I need to acknowledge it and enjoy the moments I can still have with my family member now and live in the present with him.

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Goal #2: Fall 2023  - Spring 2024 Semesters

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Goal #2: Fall 2023  - Spring 2024 Semesters

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Goal #2: To independently lead at least one group discussion during a learning activity and further delegate tasks to be split up among group members by the end of the 2023-2024 academic school year as evidenced by noted progress as the school year goes on in order to effectively and accurately track how close I am to reaching my goal.

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Goal #2: Evidence - Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Semesters 

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Goal #2: Evidence - Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Semesters 

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Although in both semesters I struggled a bit to find some opportunities to display my leadership skills and further delegate tasks to others in a group setting, I still managed to find a few opportunities where I could lead a group for a brief period of time. In each of these instances documented, I was able to see my confidence in my skills grow and progress as the academic school year went on. I found myself becoming more comfortable speaking up and leading the way for my group to get through the activities/projects required of us in an efficient manner. I look forward to being able to display my leadership skills within the remaining month of this academic school year as well as within my graduate schooling here at WSU.

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Goal #3: Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Semesters 

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Goal #3: Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Semesters 

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Goal #3: To be able to articulate and accurately describe what the occupational therapy profession is to two of my family members to enrich their understanding of what exactly the field entails by the end of the 2023-2024 academic school year as evidenced by having both individuals rate their understanding of the profession both before an explanation of the profession is provided and then again after on a scale of 1-10 where 1 indicates no knowledge and 10 indicates complete knowledge.

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Goal #3: Evidence - Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Semesters 

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Goal #3: Evidence - Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Semesters 

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By using a loose version of the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) definition of what exactly occupational therapy is, what it entails, and what its ultimate goals are, I was able to successfully articulate what the profession is to two of my family members. I chose to test my ability to articulate the profession to two individuals who I knew had little to no knowledge about the profession to truly test my skills in explaining what I would be doing in my future career. I wanted to test my skills in describing the occupational therapy profession, as I know in the future I will need to do this for my clients and/or any other individuals involved in a client’s care. I feel as though, over the last few years, I have struggled to articulate what exactly we do as occupational therapists to people in an effective and simple manner. However, after completing this goal I set for myself, I feel as though I am getting a lot better at describing OT to others as proven by their increased levels of understanding after my explanation was provided and I will continue to practice and aim to perfect this skill before I become a licensed occupational therapist in the coming years.

AOTA Link & APA Citation:

https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot

What is occupational therapy?. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (n.d.). https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot

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End of Senior Year - Spring 2024 Semester Professional Identity Assessment Reflection

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Graduate Years - Full Summer 2024 Semester professional Identity Assessment Reflection

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Grad Years Professional Identity Assessment

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Goal #1: To formally connect and further collaborate/communicate with at least two different OTs within pediatric settings (e.g., school-based, early intervention (EI), etc.) as evidenced by notes collected during the interprofessional collaboration between myself and the specified OT by the end of OT906.

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For this goal, I was able to successfully connect with one school-based occupational therapist. During our follow-up conversation, I asked questions about her inspiration for becoming a pediatric OT, her clinical experiences, and the personal qualities she finds most valuable in her role. Although I had previously collaborated with six school-based occupational therapists during my thesis project, reconnecting with multiple practitioners during OT906 proved more challenging than expected due to scheduling constraints and their demanding caseloads. With that being said, the insight I gained from my interview with one school-based OT was meaningful, affirming my passion for pediatric practice and offering guidance I plan to carry forward into my future as a licensed OT.

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Copy of Response for WSU Student Assignment

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Goal #2: To research at least two different volunteering opportunities within the community of Worcester that would allow me to interact with various populations that otherwise may be unfamiliar to me (e.g., youth centers, senior centers, homeless shelters, etc.) where occupational therapy services may be beneficial as evidenced by a document detailing each location and further information regarding what services they provide, how individuals can get involved, and what is required of those who volunteer their time by the end of OT906.

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Link: https://whyme.org

Why Me & Sherry’s House is a non-profit organization based in Worcester, MA that supports families who are facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. It was started by a 13-year-old girl named Sherry Shepherd in 1985 while she was going through her own cancer journey. The name “Why Me” stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting, which really speaks to their mission of offering emotional, physical, and financial support to families—from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. They provide a wide range of services, including housing through Sherry’s House, which is a home-away-from-home for families who need to stay close to the hospital during their child’s treatment. Families can stay there for free, and the house includes bedrooms, common areas, and even a playroom. In addition, Why Me offers peer support groups, bereavement support, family events, meals, a food pantry, and programs that give kids and teens a sense of normalcy during such a tough time. There are a lot of ways to get involved, including volunteering, fundraising, or donating. Volunteers can help with meal prep, childcare, events, or general house support. You can also join their mailing list to stay in the loop about upcoming opportunities or community events. To volunteer, you need to be at least 16 years old and complete a short application. There’s also an interview and orientation, plus a background check (CORI). Depending on what kind of volunteer work you're doing, there might be a bit of training involved—but it’s all manageable, and staff are super supportive.

Link: https://www.netofcompassion.org

Net of Compassion is a Worcester-based nonprofit founded in 2010 by Pastor Richie Gonzalez and his wife, Elizabeth. After overcoming his own struggles with addiction and homelessness, Pastor Richie began by handing out sandwiches to those in need. This simple act of kindness has since grown into a comprehensive support network for individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and poverty in our community. They offer several services including Meals on Main Street, Grace Pantry and Grace Closet (groceries and clothing), Hotel Grace (a seasonal shelter), Joshua’s Showers (a mobile hygiene unit), and peer-led recovery supports. These programs help individuals meet basic needs while also offering opportunities for long-term stability and support. To get involved, volunteers can sign up for roles at the food pantry (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays), the clothing pantry (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), and Meals on Main Street (Saturdays). There are also seasonal opportunities at Hotel Grace. Volunteers are expected to be reliable, open-minded, and compassionate, and depending on the role, may need some orientation or training.

Reflection:
Both of these organizations serve vulnerable populations where occupational therapy services—like caregiver support, routine building, mental health resources, or community reintegration—could have a meaningful impact. Exploring these volunteer opportunities helped me think more critically about how OT skills can be used outside of traditional settings and gave me a deeper appreciation for community-centered care.