How Occupational Therapy Helps with Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis: Occupational Therapy Media PA
Around the world, medical practices, communities, and support groups take time to advocate for family and friends with multiple sclerosis. May 30th is World Multiple Sclerosis Day, and it’s a good time to advocate for your mom’s care going forward with this progressive disease. MS affects about one million Americans. While most are diagnosed by the age of 50, the disease can impact older adults. Your mom having MS isn’t surprising as three times more women than men have the disease. What’s important is that you educate yourself on what happens next and how occupational therapy helps.
Smokers Have a Higher Risk
If your mom smokes, she needs to stop. Studies have found that smokers have a 1.6 time greater risk of developing MS. and that symptoms are more likely to rapidly progress. Occupational therapists can play a part in a successful smoking cessation program.
Balance Skills Can Be Improved Through Routine Chores
Your mom hates to exercise, but she keeps losing her balance and falling. Occupational therapy can teach her how to turn routine chores like washing dishes or dusting to build a stronger core. That helps with fall reduction.
Most Patients Progress Slowly
Even after an MS diagnosis, most patients progress slowly and will live with MS for decades. Around 66% of MS patients are still mobile 20 years after diagnosis. As it does progress, an occupational therapist can help your mom learn how to use assistive aids like a cane or walker to get around her home and community.
Certain Times of Day Are Easier Than Others
Some MS patients find they have more energy and stamina at certain hours than others. An occupational therapist can help your mom find her optimal hours to maximize her ability to get things done.
Occupational Therapy Works on Three Areas
When your mom works with an occupational therapist, they will focus on the different aspects of three areas: leisure, productivity, and self-care. Within each of these areas, your mom will work on skills like these.
- Leisure – Participation in recreational and social events and activities, including family gatherings, community festivals, and outings to theaters.
- Productivity – Participation in activities that leave you feeling productive, like volunteering, yardwork, household management, and finances/bill paying.
- Self-Care – Taking care of your mental and physical needs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and medication management.
Occupational therapy benefits people with MS in many ways. Talk to your mom’s doctor and then call an advisor about area occupational therapy appointments. Your mom may struggle to get to an office, but that doesn’t mean she can’t go without.
Occupational therapists can come to her home and help her learn how to complete her daily activities of living. Arrange occupational therapy and help her navigate the changes MS is going to bring to her life.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Occupational Therapy in Media, PA, and the surrounding area, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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