Geri/Psyc Fieldwork Level 1
In my Geri/Psyc Fieldwork Level 1 class (OTA 2370) we prepared for a Geri-psych rehab off-site experience along with instruction on preparation for fieldwork II's. We were exposed to a variety of diagnoses, developed professional behaviors, developed clinical observation skills and completed service learning specific to either psychosocial or geriatric populations. I was assigned to a geriatric population but focused on the psychosocial factors there. We then reflected on our experiences in a round-table format, completed data collection and reports, and participated in a performance appraisal.
Service Learning: Fieldwork Projects
Description
For this fieldwork service learning project I made three different projects: an anxiety handout, a utensil sorter, and big (poster-sized), laminated Sudoku boards and Word search pages.
-For the anxiety handout I: designed the template, researched coping skills for anxiety, researched useful apps that could help calm anxieties, and edited the handout. This project took a total of 7 hours and cost relatively nothing (besides the paper and ink to print it out).
-For the utensil sorter I: researched examples of different kinds of sorters, bought the utensil sorter tray and different colors of plastic utensils, searched for utensil silhouettes to use for the utensil tray so the client can match the utensils with the appropriate picture, cut out the pictures, taped the pictures inside the tray, washed 5 mason jars that I had at my house, searched for color swatches to put on the jars, cut out the color swatches, and taped them on the mason jars so the client can sort the utensils by color (with the mason jars) or by shape (with the utensil sorter). This project took a total of 5 hours and cost $6.
-For the big, laminated game boards I: researched Sudoku boards that had the “just right challenge” for the client’s I had seen at Aspen Ridge, then I researched word searches that would also provide a “just right challenge,” then I took the pictures of what game boards I wanted to Alpha Graphics to get the pictures enlarged and laminated; I picked them up the next day and then bought dry-erase markers to write on the boards with. This project took a total of 4 hours and cost $25.50.
-The total time it took to complete all three projects was 16 hours and the total cost for all three projects was $31.50.
I made the utensil sorter and the laminated game boards because my fieldwork supervisor asked me too. She said that the facility doesn’t have a lot of games to challenge a client’s cognition. The nice thing about the big laminated game boards is that they can be hung on a wall and the client can work on standing tolerance and a cognitive activity all at once. The reason I made an anxiety handout was because I needed to also make something psychosocial related, since that is our focus of this fieldwork rotation. I thought of making a handout that listed ways that a client could calm their anxieties (basically coping strategies) because one of the clients I saw had two panic attacks while I was there and I thought it would be helpful for her and others who experience debilitating anxiety. They could have the list nearby so that they can have some ideas of how to cope when they are having a hard time thinking clearly and rationally. I also provided a list of apps that could calm anxieties that I thought would be helpful as well.
The cognitive activity projects that I made will help clients think and problem solve in a fun way. These activities will show the therapist where a client is at in regards to their cognitive abilities. This can be useful for the therapist to know so that when they are giving instruction and training to the client in future sessions, they’ll know how much cognitive assistance the client will need.
Reflection
I learned a lot from making these projects for my fieldsite. I tried to make them client centered after seeing the typical abilities that the clients had. I didn’t want the cognitive activities to be too hard or too easy. I wanted to give them that just right challenge which took more effort on my part as I was researching but I felt like it was worth it. I knew that there were clients of varying abilities and in order to give them the perfect challenge I made an easier version and a harder version of the Sudoku and the word searches. This way the therapists that use them can grade up or down according to the client’s ability. I also learned how effective coping strategies can be in calming someone who is experiencing anxiety. I had a personal experience where we walked into a client’s room and saw that she was having a panic attack. She was shaking, crying, and having a really hard time. The OT I was with when over and talked with her and actively listened as the client explained everything. After taking the time that the client needed to express her feelings, the therapist was able coax the client to sit up in bed and then move to a chair and work on a leisure activity that the client enjoyed. Getting the client out of bed in and of itself was impressive, especially after an intense panic attack like the one she had.
During the leisure activity, the OT discussed coping methods with the client and listed some of the things that I ended up writing on my handout. It was a powerful experience for me to see how using a coping strategy (such as participating in a meaningful leisure activity) could really calm a client’s nerves and allows them to be productive instead of fearful.
After making these projects I felt very proud. I tried to go above and beyond what the therapist had asked for and when I showed her my projects she was very impressed. Serving others always makes me feel good and makes my love grow for all those
I serve. I was glad I could help out this facility because I felt like the people there had done so much for me. It was the least I could do to give back for the great experiences I had during fieldwork.
The experience of making these service projects was meaningful because I was able to come up with new ideas to expound on the ideas I had seen while researching. It was fun to take an idea and make it my own. Completing the psychosocial project was also meaningful to me because my boyfriend found out not too long ago that he has anxiety. I’m still trying to figure out what “having anxiety” means and how to help it. I learned a lot from researching about anxiety and thinking of coping strategies that a person could do to help calm it down. This project had a dual purpose: to help me understand it, and to help others learn to cope with it. I know I’ll have many opportunities to help others when they are experiencing anxiety and hope that I can refer back to the handout I made when it does happen.
For this fieldwork service learning project I made three different projects: an anxiety handout, a utensil sorter, and big (poster-sized), laminated Sudoku boards and Word search pages.
-For the anxiety handout I: designed the template, researched coping skills for anxiety, researched useful apps that could help calm anxieties, and edited the handout. This project took a total of 7 hours and cost relatively nothing (besides the paper and ink to print it out).
-For the utensil sorter I: researched examples of different kinds of sorters, bought the utensil sorter tray and different colors of plastic utensils, searched for utensil silhouettes to use for the utensil tray so the client can match the utensils with the appropriate picture, cut out the pictures, taped the pictures inside the tray, washed 5 mason jars that I had at my house, searched for color swatches to put on the jars, cut out the color swatches, and taped them on the mason jars so the client can sort the utensils by color (with the mason jars) or by shape (with the utensil sorter). This project took a total of 5 hours and cost $6.
-For the big, laminated game boards I: researched Sudoku boards that had the “just right challenge” for the client’s I had seen at Aspen Ridge, then I researched word searches that would also provide a “just right challenge,” then I took the pictures of what game boards I wanted to Alpha Graphics to get the pictures enlarged and laminated; I picked them up the next day and then bought dry-erase markers to write on the boards with. This project took a total of 4 hours and cost $25.50.
-The total time it took to complete all three projects was 16 hours and the total cost for all three projects was $31.50.
I made the utensil sorter and the laminated game boards because my fieldwork supervisor asked me too. She said that the facility doesn’t have a lot of games to challenge a client’s cognition. The nice thing about the big laminated game boards is that they can be hung on a wall and the client can work on standing tolerance and a cognitive activity all at once. The reason I made an anxiety handout was because I needed to also make something psychosocial related, since that is our focus of this fieldwork rotation. I thought of making a handout that listed ways that a client could calm their anxieties (basically coping strategies) because one of the clients I saw had two panic attacks while I was there and I thought it would be helpful for her and others who experience debilitating anxiety. They could have the list nearby so that they can have some ideas of how to cope when they are having a hard time thinking clearly and rationally. I also provided a list of apps that could calm anxieties that I thought would be helpful as well.
The cognitive activity projects that I made will help clients think and problem solve in a fun way. These activities will show the therapist where a client is at in regards to their cognitive abilities. This can be useful for the therapist to know so that when they are giving instruction and training to the client in future sessions, they’ll know how much cognitive assistance the client will need.
Reflection
I learned a lot from making these projects for my fieldsite. I tried to make them client centered after seeing the typical abilities that the clients had. I didn’t want the cognitive activities to be too hard or too easy. I wanted to give them that just right challenge which took more effort on my part as I was researching but I felt like it was worth it. I knew that there were clients of varying abilities and in order to give them the perfect challenge I made an easier version and a harder version of the Sudoku and the word searches. This way the therapists that use them can grade up or down according to the client’s ability. I also learned how effective coping strategies can be in calming someone who is experiencing anxiety. I had a personal experience where we walked into a client’s room and saw that she was having a panic attack. She was shaking, crying, and having a really hard time. The OT I was with when over and talked with her and actively listened as the client explained everything. After taking the time that the client needed to express her feelings, the therapist was able coax the client to sit up in bed and then move to a chair and work on a leisure activity that the client enjoyed. Getting the client out of bed in and of itself was impressive, especially after an intense panic attack like the one she had.
During the leisure activity, the OT discussed coping methods with the client and listed some of the things that I ended up writing on my handout. It was a powerful experience for me to see how using a coping strategy (such as participating in a meaningful leisure activity) could really calm a client’s nerves and allows them to be productive instead of fearful.
After making these projects I felt very proud. I tried to go above and beyond what the therapist had asked for and when I showed her my projects she was very impressed. Serving others always makes me feel good and makes my love grow for all those
I serve. I was glad I could help out this facility because I felt like the people there had done so much for me. It was the least I could do to give back for the great experiences I had during fieldwork.
The experience of making these service projects was meaningful because I was able to come up with new ideas to expound on the ideas I had seen while researching. It was fun to take an idea and make it my own. Completing the psychosocial project was also meaningful to me because my boyfriend found out not too long ago that he has anxiety. I’m still trying to figure out what “having anxiety” means and how to help it. I learned a lot from researching about anxiety and thinking of coping strategies that a person could do to help calm it down. This project had a dual purpose: to help me understand it, and to help others learn to cope with it. I know I’ll have many opportunities to help others when they are experiencing anxiety and hope that I can refer back to the handout I made when it does happen.
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