Latest news with #occupationaltherapy
Associated Press
a day ago
- Health
- Associated Press
New Book Empowers Dementia Care Partners to Navigate Challenges with Confidence and Calm
NH, UNITED STATES, July 22, 2025 / / -- Ann Olson, OTR/L, a seasoned occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience, announces the release of her insightful new book, 'Making Peace with Dementia: An Occupational Therapist's Formula for Optimizing Care and Restoring Calm.' This 164-page guide offers families and care partners practical, empathetic tools to better support loved ones living with dementia. Grounded in Olson's extensive expertise and compassionate approach, 'Making Peace with Dementia' redefines how care partners approach their roles. The book highlights a pivotal yet surprising truth: mastering dementia care depends less on changing the individual with dementia and more on equipping care partners with practical strategies to manage and reduce stress. The guide is divided into three core sections designed to empower care partners by exploring techniques for creating calm in their loved ones, cultivating a supportive environment, and finding personal clarity and balance. Olson's conversational and relatable style makes complex concepts accessible, helping readers sustain their energy, improve communication, and prepare for the future with pragmatic expectations. 'Families caring for loved ones with dementia often feel overwhelmed and lost,' says Olson. 'This book is my way of helping them discover that by learning practical strategies and rethinking their approach, they can create a more meaningful and peaceful experience for everyone involved.' Ann Olson's professional background in treating neurological conditions, combined with her work as a dementia educator, coach, and senior living consultant, makes her uniquely positioned to offer this much-needed resource. Additionally, in 2022, Olson founded Sweet Basil Senior Care, an organization dedicated to supporting families navigating life with dementia. The book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their caregiving skills, reduce tension, and rediscover joy in their relationships with those impacted by dementia. 'Making Peace with Dementia' (ISBN: 9781966074953 / 9781966074946) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The hardcover retails for $29.99, the paperback retails for $19.99, and the ebook retails for $2.99. Review copies and interviews with the author are available upon request. For more information or to purchase the book, visit Amazon. From the Back Cover: Making Peace with Dementia was written for the dementia care partner who often is thrust into a difficult situation and struggles to provide care at the cost of their own health and happiness. Author Ann Olson, an expert with decades of experience in dementia care, provides you with practical, easy-to-read guidance. Her book offers insight into the changes associated with dementia and equips you with strategies to side-step conflict, communicate effectively, and enhance safety and engagement. Through real-life examples, Olson illustrates realistic and successful approaches for managing a variety of challenging situations. Numerous techniques are shared to help you prioritize your well-being and navigate dementia with greater calm, confidence and peace of mind. About the Author Ann Olson, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist specializing in neurological conditions, including dementia. Over her 25-year career, she has worked as a senior living consultant, educator, and dementia caregiver coach. Olson is also the founder of Sweet Basil Senior Care. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and dog, Violet. About MindStir Media: MindStir Media LLC is an award-winning book publisher. To learn more about publishing a book with MindStir Media, visit or call 800-767-0531. Michelle VanSledright MindStir Media LLC +1 800-767-0531 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
ABC News
12-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Christine Yerbury would like to move somewhere without stairs
Christine Yerbury has been waiting since October to receive an occupational therapy assessment to allow her to receive a Deaf-appropriate device.
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘They're holding me up and helping me get through': why campus welfare is there whenever you need it
University can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be challenging in different ways. When Becca Tenney began her occupational therapy degree at the University of Salford in 2024, she wasn't sure she'd make it through the year. A history of hospital admissions for an eating disorder and depression had left her apprehensive. 'Things had got really bad,' she says. 'But I approached Salford, and they were amazing from the get-go. They put me in touch with my head of year, I've got extra time and extensions in place if I need them and if I'm having a bad day my lecturers check in on me.' Now, at the end of her first year at Salford, she is feeling optimistic. She loves her course and has made lots of friends in her cohort. 'It's like I've got a whole team behind me. They're holding me up and helping me get through.' Looking after the wellbeing of students has never been more important. Today, student welfare is no longer treated as an add-on, it is baked into the university experience. From managing mental health to coping with disability, flatmate fallouts or financial pressures, dedicated support is increasingly accessible and visible. 'Universities take the welfare of students very seriously,' says Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute. There is growing demand for these services among young people and the sector is adapting. 'It is no longer a taboo subject,' he says. Manuel Souto-Otero, a professor at the University of Bristol's school of education, says: 'This is not an easy time to be a student.' Pressures are stacking up – part-time jobs, the cost-of-living crisis, long commutes and caring responsibilities. 'There are a lot of demands on young people in higher education.' Support often starts before freshers even set foot on campus. Prospective students can flag existing needs on their Ucas application or disclose them ahead of enrolment. Once on campus, personal tutors are often the first port of call. University websites typically offer plenty of guidance, and campuses are dotted with posters and social media campaigns signposting students towards help. At Northumbria University, a 24/7 team is in place to triage and respond to wellbeing queries. 'We've got a physical help desk, students can raise concerns via the portal or just pick up the phone,' says Vashti Hutton, director of student life and wellbeing. The University of Derby has a similar setup. 'Whether students are after a quick chat or in-depth support, we direct students to the help they need,' says Sarah Richardson, head of student services. These include drop-ins, workshops, apps, digital tools and one-to-one appointments. At Falmouth University, all staff are trained and expected to help students spot when they might be in need of support and to guide them to the right place. Group workshops are common on campuses and cover everything from study skills and time-management to dealing with low moods or digital burnout. Many of the workshops are recorded, so students can access them online. One-to-one counselling is widely available, as are group therapy sessions. 'Students are not alone. We want everyone to have a good time, and we're here to support that,' says Northumbria's Hutton. At Sheffield Hallam University, sessions are themed around common challenges such as managing emotions, low self-esteem and feeling overwhelmed. They're run in six groups of about 10 students, led by a psychotherapist or counsellor. It helps normalise experiences and enables students to realise they are not alone. Supportive WhatsApp groups often form out of these sessions, offering informal peer support that lasts beyond the final meeting. For those less inclined to talk, there are other options – art therapy, yoga for wellbeing, and more. Student-led initiatives are playing a growing role, too. Cameron Swann, a final-year building surveying student and member of the students' union at Sheffield Hallam, says one-to-one peer support can be a powerful first step. 'A lot of students feel their problems aren't serious enough for formal help. This gives you a chance to talk with someone who is on the same wavelength and it gets you out of the house. It can be a stepping stone to talking to a professional at a later stage.' At Northumbria, peer-to-peer services are backed by university infrastructure but run by students. 'We've got bookable rooms and drop-ins,' says Hutton. 'Peer advisers are trained to help refer you on if they have concerns.' The message from professionals is clear: don't wait for a crisis. Support services can get busy, and reaching out early can make all the difference. John Rimington Wilson, 18, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was anxious about starting his graphic design degree at Sheffield Hallam last year. But early conversations with staff were reassuring. 'Before I started, I met with my lecturer, and they talked me through everything,' he says. 'They made me feel really comfortable. The university is clued-up and I feel like I'm in good hands.' You can contact the mental health charity Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or visiting For more guidance on the right course for you, check out the Guardian university league tables for 2025. The Guardian league tables for 2026 will be out on 13 September in print and online
New York Times
28-06-2025
- General
- New York Times
How to Potty-Train a Co-Worker
Bathroom Battles Can you help me with this problem? I work in an elementary school as an occupational therapist. I work very closely with teachers in the school on Individualized Education Program legal documents, which need to be worked on collaboratively — I can only do my part if everyone else does their part. I have a co-worker that I work especially closely with, not by my choosing. Professionally he is obnoxious, always waiting until the last minute to complete parts of the document that are required for me to do my part, and terrible at staying on track during meetings… These are things I can handle. I can speak with him about these things. Where I struggle is that his bathroom habits are disgusting. In the school there are only four adult bathrooms. Teachers are all strapped for time, including finding time to use the bathroom, so I get that things might be a little rushed in the bathroom. The problem is that I have entered the bathroom immediately after him multiple times to find a toilet seat covered in urine and a toilet full of frothy pee. We've made eye contact and greeted each other as he exits and I enter. As someone who sits on a toilet to use it, this is unacceptable. This is unprofessional, since this is a shared space, but it doesn't necessarily rise to the level of bringing it up to my supervisor. I have to keep working with this guy, and using the bathroom after him. What should I do? — Anonymous Disgusting. (Your use of the word 'frothy' really sent me over the edge.) I agree that this is unacceptable. And universal: Though the subject makes for a provocative advice column question, I'll bet most of those reading this have had to deal with a co-worker — known or unknown — with disgusting bathroom habits. And it can feel purposeful sometimes. It feels that way to me, at least. Which brings me to this: I wonder if part of the issue here is that your colleague is passive-aggressively doing this deliberately. Does he seem displeased with his work? Is he hostile in other ways? You don't seem to feel any hesitation about discussing your challenges with him professionally; I wonder whether it might be worth having a bigger, 30,000-foot discussion with him about whether he's even happy in his job. I agree that your colleague's behavior doesn't necessarily rise to the level of making an intervention from a supervisor necessary, but I also don't think you should be expected to grin and bear it. Here's my advice: Design and print four signs and tape each sign on the outside of the door of each of the four bathrooms, or on the wall next to the toilet, where everyone can see them. The signs should state plainly, and succinctly, that people who use the bathroom are expected to clean up after themselves, which means flushing the toilet and wiping away bodily fluids so that surfaces are clean for other people. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Anger grows after boy, 8, was denied NHS care because he attends private school as top Tory blasts 'unfair, outrageous punishment of child'
A former senior Tory MP has slammed health bosses after an eight-year-old boy was denied NHS care because he attends a private school. Sir Jake Berry, who was Conservative Party Chairman, said the case was 'absolutely unfair', 'outrageous' and symptomatic of a 'failing system'. And he said it 'may well be the case' that the public sector has now 'turned against people who choose to pay for their kids' education'. This week, the Mail on Sunday revealed how the boy was unable to access occupational therapy for his hypermobility syndrome because he did not attend a state school. The former MP for Rossendale and Darwen said he sympathises with the family as he has had to fight for additional help for his own son, who has autism. He told LBC Radio: 'I have a severely autistic child who is non-verbal, and I battle regularly with the authorities to try to get him the support I need. 'I know what a struggle it is for children with additional needs. 'No matter how wealthy you may be, it is a huge struggle. His mother discovered health staff had written a letter to her GP saying: 'We are unable to see this child as we do not provide a service to school age children who attend an independent schools [sic]'. Pictured: Children's occupational therapy referral criteria from the Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust website 'When you see something like this, that you know is absolutely unfair, and when you've got some experience of trying to navigate the system yourself, it's worthwhile taking the opportunity to highlight [it]. 'This is a failing system. This is an outrageous part of it.' Sir Jake said the case was akin to a family being told they cannot use Accident and Emergency services because they are signed up to private healthcare. He said: 'It's completely wrong to punish children for the choices their parents make.' And he added: 'This [case] bears further inspection. It may well be the case that the public sector has turned against people who choose to pay for their kids' education.' The intervention comes after the family of the child, who asked to remain anonymous, said they believed a 'two-tier system' is at play. However, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said any suggestion school choice was a factor was a 'miscommunication'. According to the boy's mother, he was referred to a paediatrician at Kingston Hospital in south-west London after she noticed he was 'struggling to hold the pen well enough to write properly', along with other mobility issues. At the hospital appointment she was asked to fill in a form which asked: 'Where does your child go to school?' She had been hoping to get an appointment with Richmond children's occupational therapy service that would have been the 'most important stage' of his assessment. However, days later, she received a text message saying the child had been 'declined' the crucial next appointment with occupational health therapists. She then discovered that the specialist unit had written a letter to her GP, seen by the Mail, saying: 'We are unable to see this child as we do not provide a service to school age children who attend an independent schools [sic]. 'We are only commissioned to provide a service to the mainstream schools.' The boy's older brother – who has the same condition, had been treated without issue several years earlier. Also during the LBC programme, Mike Trace, chairman of the Private Education Policy Forum, said it was a 'strange case'. He said he recognised core medical care is still free at the point of use, but occupational health is treated in a number of different ways. He said: 'A wide range of services related to special needs are treated a different way and in various ways are underfunded and rationed… 'It looks like an attempt to target the services and as I say, a criteria saying which school you went to, which may or may not indicate your wealth, does seem a strange way to ration the services.' And during the show, hosted by Nick Ferrari, Sir Jake, who served as Tory Chairman in 2022 and lost his seat in 2024, admitted that his party did not do enough for this sector while in government. He said: 'This sector is chronically underfunded and I hope that with the spending review this week that the government, and I don't care which government is, will find more money for this sector.' He revealed one of the few 'really serious rows' he had during his years in Parliament was with Jeremy Hunt before the last budget, trying to get him to increase funding for this sector – which he did. 'Parents are desperate,' he added. 'I often feel desperate, with my wife. We need more funding for our children in this sector. The last government didn't do it. I'm really hoping the Labour Party might.' When contacted by the Mail, a spokesman for Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust said the boy had not been denied treatment because of his school. They said occupational therapy services are provided to all children who hold an education, health and care plan (EHCP), regardless of their school. For those without an EHCP, some state schools provide an on-site NHS occupational therapy advice. The spokesman added: 'We are sorry if the wording of our correspondence has caused upset and confusion; we will amend it prospectively.' It is understood anyone without an ECHP who attends a private school would not be able to use on-site services at state schools. A DHSC spokesman said: 'NHS services are free at the point of use to all. 'NHS occupational therapy services are provided for all children with an EHCP. 'For those without an EHCP, some schools provide on-site NHS occupational therapy. 'The Trust has apologised for any miscommunication in its correspondence with the family and is amending its wording to avoid any confusion in the future.' The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has called on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to take action over the case. It comes after the Mail on Sunday also revealed other similar cases. These included the mother of an autistic girl in Somerset saying her daughter was denied access to NHS mental health services, and was told: 'If you can afford the school fees, you should pay privately. If you had kept your child at the local authority primary school, she would have been supported.' It is also understood that in Norfolk a child was refused a much-needed standing frame by the NHS because he went to private school. And last month it was revealed young cancer patients from private schools had to pay £115 an hour for tutoring in an Edinburgh hospital's wards, while it is provided free to state school pupils by the city council. The controversy comes as families await a judgement from the High Court over the Government's decision to place VAT on private school fees.
