Occupational therapists adapt to a new normal with renewed creativity
Meeting patients’ therapy goals in skilled nursing homes requires empathy and creativity in the best of times, but that’s taking on a whole new meaning in this new era of social distancing.
Patients who are accustomed to working alongside a room full of others are now alone in the therapy gym or even doing sessions in their own rooms. Sometimes, though, challenges beget ingenuity. This was certainly the case for Anthoni O’Niel at SKLD New Lebanon in Ohio.
Anthoni loves music, so the therapists joined him in a music video while he practiced standing with a frame box. Occupational Therapist Tabitha Qualls says, “We all joined him in a row dancing. He absolutely loved it; he lit up and was so excited to email the dance in a video to his mom so she could see it.” The video was such a hit that the group is already working on a sequel.
During the COVID-19 global pandemic, therapists like Tabitha soldier on doing the essential work their patients need. Every day they work on the frontlines with patients, despite the risks – to ensure they reach their therapy goals necessary to improve their quality of life.
For this April’s OT Month, Tabitha Qualls shares how occupational therapy is thriving, helping patients despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19
In order to work closely with patients, Tabitha says it’s more important now than ever to truly engage with them. “To succeed in therapy, you have to get your patient to be receptive to your help and really trust you.” This has always been a focus of Tabitha’s occupational therapy work, but it’s become even more crucial during these past several weeks.
Tabby Qualls, occupational therapist at SKLD Lebanon.
“Many patients are having trouble staying motivated because this pandemic is very mentally taxing on patients. I try to tap into what a person likes and what their hobbies and interests are. Once we have a conversation about that, it puts a smile on their face and they are more willing to work.”
Tabitha is easily able to identify when she’s hit an area in a patient’s life that’s important. “Their whole face lights up, their eyes sparkle and then they begin to engage.”
Of course, engaging with patients takes on a whole meaning while wearing a mask. Tabitha has to work even harder to use encouraging words and energy to connect with patients while her smile is hidden.
Therapy work means working with patients in close physical proximity, even during COVID-19. To help keep her inspired, she remembers a lesson from school. “I made the decision to be the kind of person that’s willing to do whatever I need to do in order to help a patient, even if that means there is a chance I could be exposed to something.”
OT is a a calling
Before Tabitha became an OT, at age seven she developed glaucoma and became legally blind. After emergency surgery, she began occupational therapy to learn how to adapt, live and function day-to-day with impaired vision. This experience inspired Tabitha to become an OT herself. Tabitha attributes her success as an OT for the past 20 years to her empathy for her patients and her ability to connect with them.
While all therapists right now face the challenge of rethinking therapy sessions for patients confined to rooms, the advantage is that this new reality is leading to some creativity too. Tabitha is seeing firsthand that patients respond well to different patterns and focusing on new muscle groups. “We are trying not to use our equipment to decrease the risk of contamination, and personally I love the changes. It helps get you out of the rut of repetition.”
Therapy evolves during a pandemic
SKLD OTs are trying to translate activities patients would perform in a gym into something they can perform in their rooms, such as transporting clothes to and from their closets or grabbing a favorite stuffed animal or small pillows for exercises.
Many patients are motivated by the desire for independence, “Giving them the opportunity to do these tasks in their living space is helpful in moving them closer to their goals,” says Tabitha.
As the patients are not able to see their families right now, Tabitha encourages patients to use video chat during sessions to add a social component to the care. Having the families on the phone during sessions enables the patient to stay motivated to show their family their improvement and also lifts their spirits in general. “Not being able to see their families is affecting the patients. It’s horrible and so hard.”
By working with patients in their rooms, OTs are trying to integrate transitional movements that promote normal function such as reaching and directional changes. “This allows us even more of an opportunity to really focus on that because the patients’ rooms have much less space, which simulates the environment the patient will return to at home.”
An added advantage to doing therapy in their rooms is that residents can continue exercises on their own there as well.
Occupational therapy is a real team effort and Tabitha attributes her success in helping patients meet their goals to her assistant, LaToya Dunson. “I would not be able to do this role without a stellar coda clinician who facilitates the care of the patients’ needs.”
Although Tabitha is making the best of a very challenging situation, she is most eager for things to return to normal so she can bring residents to the gym. “There’s an element there that lifts patients' spirits; it can be extra motivating. Even if it’s just individual sessions with five residents and five therapists, the patients watch each other and like to share in their progress.”
“Being in the gym together brings so much happiness and joy to people. There is laughter in the room, and the energy is tangible.” Tabitha hopes that patients will soon return to the gym, eager and ready to continue their therapy, but until then she will ensure her residents get the therapy they need no matter where they are.
Click here for more information for SKLD facilities throughout Ohio and Michigan.