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Working with clients with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease is nothing new to occupational therapy professionals, but, with the growth in cases anticipated for the next several years, the need for qualified occupational therapists will increase. Much of this demand for strong occupational therapists is due to the positive impact your services have on the lives of those patients you serve.
On the American Occupational Therapy Association website, Patricia Schaber, PhD, OTR/L, says the most important thing you can do as a therapist is to get involved. More and more physicians are becoming aware of the importance of an occupational therapist’s assessment and long term involvement on the treatment team. Schaber believes, “…that practitioners need about 6 months of working directly with clients with dementia to understand the differences and types of cognitive processes the client is experiencing.”
There are many resources available to therapists that will assist in their treatment and assessment of patients. AOTA’s website has dedicated a section that deals specifically with Alzheimer’s Disease and occupational therapy. While the Department of Health and Human Services also addresses the importance of occupational therapy when dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.
Preferred Healthcare Staffing is dedicated to providing our therapists with the information and resources needed to be the best at what you do. Be sure to check out our job board for the most up to date jobs in your area.