Body neglect in stroke recovery can be challenging for rehab professionals to address. Below are suggestions to facilitate patient awareness of the affected side. Body neglect in stroke patients is a neuropsychological condition that occurs due to damage in one hemisphere of the brain. Body neglect occurs when there is a deficit in attention or awareness to one side of the field of vision or to the affected limb.Body neglect in stroke recovery can also be referred to … [Read more...]
Occupational Therapy
Sensory Reeducation Exercises: Effective or Not?
Sensory reeducation exercises are a vital aspect of the rehabilitation process following an injury or condition where nerves have been damaged such as stroke or brain injury. Sensory reeducation exercises consist of stimulating different senses including tactile, olfactory, auditory, visual, orofacial, and proprioception. Use of this rehabilitative approach is very common after nerve injuries (especially of the hand) where an impairment has occurred affecting the way the … [Read more...]
Art Therapy Benefits Beyond Mental Health
Art therapy has typically been reserved for patients with mental disorders, but recent research shows art therapy benefits patients with neurological disorders as well. Although contemporary art therapy is a fairly new practice, using art for therapeutic purposes was well known in ancient times. For example, philosophers in ancient Greece referred to the healing power of music with restoring the soul. Fast forward to the 1940′s, the therapeutic use of art was refined into a … [Read more...]
Are You Prepared for PDPM on October 1st?
The journey to PDPM (Patient-Driven Payment Model) presents many new changes for healthcare organizations in the skilled nursing world. On October 1st, PDPM will bring about a paradigm shift from the current RUG-IV system for SNF patients covered in Part A stay. This blog will help your organization prepare for a smooth transition ahead. How is PDPM divided? PDPM consists of five case-mix adjusted components, and one fixed component. The five variable components are: … [Read more...]
Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM)
Skilled nursing facilities need to be prepared NOW for Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a new payment model/case-mix model called Patient Driven Payment Model, which will take place starting October 1st, 2019. Ultimately, Patient Driven Payment Model (also known as PDPM) is going to affect the Medicare patient’s stay in skilled nursing facilities across the country.PDPM is replacing the current RUG … [Read more...]
5 Critical Heat Safety Tips for Patients
Brush up on your summer safety knowledge with our top heat safety tips so you can educate your patients on how to remain safely active during these long, hot summer days. Summertime is hot… especially in the South! With temperatures climbing to 100 degrees or more, it’s critically important you provide life-saving heat safety tips to your patients. #1 - Educate your Patient on the Signs of Heat Illness. This is the first and most important of our heat safety tips. You must … [Read more...]
Dangerous Sleeping Pills? FDA Issues Black Box Warning on Ambien & Other Insomnia Meds
The FDA just issued a black box warning on prescription insomnia medications, and millions of Americans are currently taking these dangerous sleeping pills. Here’s what healthcare professionals need to know. 50 to 70 million adults suffer from a sleeping disorder with insomnia being the most common. For years, the gold standard for insomnia treatment has included combined behavior therapy and pharmacotherapy. But now, healthcare providers might want to consider using … [Read more...]
Best Way to Pay Off Student Loans for Healthcare Careers
Healthcare professionals and students, learn the best way to pay off student loans here. Becoming a healthcare professional is a rewarding career, but requires obtaining a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree. And let’s face it – going to college is expensive! Research shows that nearly 70 percent of people who go to college take out loans. But unfortunately, new grads rarely have any idea about the huge amount of loan debt they accumulated during college until they … [Read more...]