Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Pain Management Resource Guide For Caregivers Of Children With Phantom Limb Pain, Micaela Monn, Amanda Steffen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Approximately 80% of children, under the age of 18, develop phantom limb pain within one year after receiving an amputation (Burgoyne, Billups, Jiron, Kaddoum, Wright, Bikhazi, Parish, & Pereiras, 2012; Krane & Heller, 1995). Research on treating phantom limb pain has been focused on the adult population and often includes the use of pharmacological interventions (Subedi & Grossberg, 2011). Because phantom limb pain can cause psychological and physical dysfunction, it can negatively impact a child's ability to engage in everyday life. Currently, no holistic treatment guides are available for caregivers to refer to when helping their child manage his or …

Occupational Therapy's Involvement With The Ymca In Developing A Program To Address Activities Of Daily Living In Those With Parkinson's Disease, Michaela Johnson, Emilea Berhow

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of Occupational Therapy’s involvement with the YMCA in Developing a Program to Address Activities of Daily Living in Those with Parkinson’s Disease was to create a protocol that addresses the needs of those with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), specifically focusing on the area of activities of daily living (ADL). Through the use of occupational therapy perspectives and techniques, this program focuses on increasing and/or maintaining independence and safety during daily tasks in those with PD.

This program was influenced by the Person-Environment-Occupation model due to the transactional approach towards occupational performance. This model focuses on finding the best “fit” …

Educating Caregivers In Assisted Living Facilities (Alfs) Who Care For People With Dementia, Rodney Palmer, Ashley Palmer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

It is estimated that approximately 40-71% of residents living within assisted living facilities (ALFs) have a form of dementia or other cognitive impairment (Harris- Kojetin et al., 2016; Zimmerman, Sloana, & Reed, 2014). There is also evidence that suggests that caregivers working within ALFs have inadequate knowledge on how to care for a resident diagnosed with dementia (Hughes, Bagley, Reilly, Burns, & Challis, 2008; McKenzie, Teri, Pike, LaFazia, & Van Leynseele, 2012; Sharpp, Kayser-Jones, & Young, 2012; Zimmerman et al., 2014). The authors of this scholarly project created an instructional manual that can be used to train caregivers within ALFs …

Road To Recovery: An Online Guide To Prepare Parents Of Children Who Have Sustained A Major Burn Injury For Successful Home And Community Transition, Michelle Jones, Chad Oppegaard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children are the most vulnerable population and represent the highest rate of nonfatal burns resulting in prolonged hospitalization, disfigurement, and disability. These injuries can be a severely stressful experience for children and their families. As a result, it is important for the patient and family members to not focus only on immediate treatment, but recognize the importance of long-term care following discharge in order to effectively reintegrate the child back into the home and community.

A literature review was conducted to investigate the key components of burn care throughout the duration of recovery. Research identified that many parents feel helpless, …

Happy Hearts: A Caregiver's Guide To Assisting Patients With Heart Failure, Stephanie Carlson, Ashley Waller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a holistic guide that could be provided by occupational therapists (OTs) to caregivers of individuals with heart failure (HF). A thorough literature review was completed on the impact that caregiving for individuals with HF has on mental, physical and environmental aspects of the caregiver and their role as a caregiver. The literature revealed that there is a significant number of individuals with HF and the role of caregiving is on the rise. As the need for caregivers’ increases, the demands associated with caregiving responsibilities increases accordingly. Activities that caregivers assist HF …

A Manual For Caregivers Of Infants With Brachial Plexus Injuries, Maranda Myrold, Taryn Wagner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a holistic manual for occupational therapists to provide to caregivers of infants with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). A literature review was conducted on the impact of NBPP on both the infant’s and their caregiver’s quality of life. The literature review revealed that NBPP can lead to functional deficits for infants, increasing the amount of care, attention, and resources they require. Due to these challenges, a caregiver may experience high levels of stress, which could result in depression, anger, and frustration (Matlow, Stevens, Harrison, & Laxer, 2006). Also, current research is …

Occupational Therapy Based Guide For Caregivers Of Individuals With Muscular Dystrophy, Chelsea Hesby, Macaila Pagel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a holistic guide that could be provided by occupational therapists (OTs) to caregivers of individuals with muscular dystrophy (MD). A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the impact that caregiving for individuals with MD has on quality of life, stress management and mental health. The review of literature also explored caregivers’ access to resources and common difficulties experienced. The literature revealed that there have been recent advances in medical fields which have led to an increased lifespan for individuals with MD to an average age of 27 years old (Eagle et …

A Reference Manual For Caregivers Of Individuals With Als, Jessica Pastir, Brianna Woodard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

A Manual For Caregivers Of Infants And Young Children Who Are At Risk For Or Have Experienced A Tbi: Prevention And Education, Meghan Enabnit, Stephanie Gubbels

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The prevalence of infant TBI, 0 to 4 years of age, is one of the highest population groups to experience TBI (Faul, Xu, Wald, & Coronado, 2010). The age group between 0-4 years old has contributed to 251,546 emergency department visits, 15,239 hospital visits, and 998 deaths (Faul et aI., 2010). The purpose of this scholarly project is to increase awareness and knowledge of infant and young child traumatic brain injury across all contexts, to reduce incidence of traumatic brain injury and re-injury and to promote development for the vulnerable, at-risk, infant and young child population through the creation and …

An Interactive Manual For Informal Caregivers Of Cerebral Vascular Accident (Cva) Survivors, Lindsay Draayer, Kaila Gunderson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Based on data from the literature review and clinical experience, an interactive manual was developed for occupational therapists to utilize when working with caregivers of cerebral vascular accident (CVA) survivors. CVA survivors display difficulty in basic personal cares such as eating, dressing, and general mobility within, but not limited to, the first year following the onset of the CVA. An interactive caregiving manual was created that addresses the needs of a caregiver of a CVA survivor during their transition from hospital to home. This focused education program enhances communication between the family caregiver of the CVA survivor and the occupational …

An Educational Resource Forum For Family Caregivers Of Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Tina Langlie, Karli Morman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There are currently 10 million Americans who care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia (Alzheimer's Association, 2008). Monitoring and maintaining the health of the caregiver is important because it allows the individual with Alzheimer's disease to remain in their familiar home environment for as long as possible. It has been proven that both physical and emotional health of a caregiver decline with the demands associated with caregiving (O'Rourke, Cappeliez, & Neufeld, 2007). Healthcare professionals are responsible for assisting caregivers with maintaining their own health while caring for their loved one. Therefore, it is important …

Training Assistance For Caregivers Working With Students With Traumatic Brain Injury, Randi L. Price

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Students who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) often require assistance from a variety of professionals and staff to complete their daily routines. Frequently it is a classroom assistant (paraprofessional), under the direction of a teacher, who attends to the student's basic and daily needs. Teachers and their assistants may receive some general training, but assistants, especially, are seldom offered an opportunity to attend trainings specific to managing the needs, difficulties, and behaviors that they are likely to encounter in their students. Unfortunately, according to J. Shuiz, Training Director and Special Education Services Coordinator for Natrona County School District …

An Occupational Therapy Based Education Course For Caregivers Of Children With Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Krystal Cook

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.