OTPF Explained

     Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, OTPF, is a document describing the scope and process of providing occupational therapy. This framework is a great tool for therapists and other healthcare professions to stay updated on procedures and expectations because it is amendable. It also provides a common language.
     OT is centered around helping clients participate in meaningful activities, and so the framework starts by categorizing all of the occupations. OTPF then makes different subcategories listing factors that affect ability to participate in occupations. Some examples are client factors, performance skills, performance patterns etc.
     After considering all of this information, it tells OTs how to approach practicing. What beliefs and theories are vital in providing optimal care and how to administer the therapy while maintaining professional interactions with clients and other professionals. Essentially, it states the responsibilities of an occupational therapist.

New Era of Dating

   Dating has drastically changed over the last several decades. In the mid-1900s dating was an occupation involving face-to-face communication between two individuals. People could choose among potential "mates" from their community/neighboring towns, and there was only two genders and one sexuality publicly accepted. 

   Over time, options have increased due to the significant development of technology and freedom. Technological advancement lets people lead a satisfactory relationships with individuals on the opposite side of the planet by using Skype, FaceTime, and PillowTalk (a pillow that glows when both people are laying down and they can hear each other's heart beats), etc. Also, the expansion of social media has impacted the way we perceive others and the way we feel about ourselves. This constant comparison affects our emotional well-being and the contentment with our significant other. 
    Technology and equal rights has allowed people to become open about their preferences. Knowing somebody out there feels the same makes it easier to express yourself and be part of something bigger. Preference refer to gender (others and your own), monogamous, polygamous, age, and activity.  

"Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you don't belong".

   I started the Occupational Therapy program merely one month ago, yet, it feels like much, much more than that. I cannot describe exactly what I expected at the beginning of this journey, but it has definitely felt more like the scene in the first Hunger Games where all the tributes have just entered the arena, and start sprinting towards the forest while being shot at with arrows and other exterminating objects. Although at times I have asked myself, "what if I don't make it", even thus far, I have learned an unimaginable amount and have been pushed to grown in ways I did not think possible. So, what do I have to say to anatomy practicals, uncooperative printers, the odd room organization in buildings that makes me walk in circles every day, etc? Bring it. You have only made me want it more. 

    I will not go into the detail about all the obstacles I have encountered, but rather focus on the overwhelming feeling of respect for all Occupational Therapists, including all of my classmates. One instance that demonstrates what I am describing is my superficial understanding of the meaning of evidence-based practice at the beginning of the program. I knew the gist of it, OTs practice based on common evidence. However, as we  discussed in more detail I started to realize this knowledge and the effort to maintain your information up-to-date is the foundation of OT. It is the base of optimal treatment in our client-based approach. After seeing with my own eyes, the time and grit dedicated to becoming a better person and competent professional in order to help people is admirable and incredibly humbling. From my exposure thus far, even though I am sure this is only the tip of the ice-burg), it seems like more work but for better quality care. And it is absolutely worth it. 

Aging In Place

One thing we all experience as humans is aging. How and when depends on the way we choose to live our lives, but inevitably, each of us will get white hairs, recurring pains, and will start forgetting more often than not. 

In the coming decades, the United States population of older people is predicted to essentially double in size. ABC 6 covered a story, Aging in Place, on senior living and interviewed an OTA on her experience in dealing with the transition.

Carolyn Block is depicted as a professional who works with clients approaching 65+ years of age to help them live their best lives as they grow older. She talks about how, "health systems are finding ways to modify current things in the senior's home to allow them to stay there longer".The story doesn't go into much detail about the field of Occupational Therapy, but it does present it in a client-based perspective light. 

Overall, I think the description of OT in mainstream media is positive. Even though it is vague on what the career entails, it does place occupational therapy in the "when" not "if" category.

Article Link: https://newsroom.ohiohealth.com/abc6-aging-in-place/