Guillain-Barré Syndrome Overview

The middle stage of dementia is characterized by impairments in all areas of occupation. The individual may no longer live alone and requires assistance with ADLs. IADLs are neglected or performed out of sequence, and individuals are dependent on others for these tasks. Eating problems and weight loss may occur. Simple home management tasks are difficult but can be completed with assistance. Safety becomes a major concern, with risks including wandering, letting strangers into the house, and causing fires. Leisure, social participation, and work are limited, and general roles are lost. Orientation is diminished.

In the late stage of dementia, individuals lose all occupational skills and become dependent in all ADLs. They can no longer ambulate safely and communication is lost. They lack understanding of cultural, social, and spiritual contexts.

Occupational therapy interventions for dementia focus on maintaining strengths, maximizing physical and mental activity, reducing caregiver stress, and keeping individuals in the least restrictive environment. Cognitive interventions include metacognitive strategies, task-specific training, and environmental modifications.

One goal of occupational therapy for people with dementia is to maximize their ability to perform activities and participate in meaningful occupations. This involves adapting tasks or the environment to help them succeed.

It is crucial for occupational therapists to use clinical observation along with standardized assessments to understand the cognitive functioning of individuals with dementia. Factors to observe include the ability to focus on tasks, remember instructions, and follow multi-step directions.

Occupational therapists should be sensitive to the cultural and spiritual needs of individuals with dementia and their families. Respecting these values and maintaining a supportive environment can enhance the person's quality of life during the journey with dementia.

Occupational therapists help people with dementia maintain their remaining abilities as long as possible by designing activities that foster physical and cognitive engagement. This includes keeping the individual active, encouraging social interaction, and promoting meaningful leisure activities.

A key component of occupational therapy for dementia is to provide education and support to caregivers. This includes teaching them coping mechanisms, providing resources, and offering practical strategies for managing the challenges of caring for someone with dementia.

A condition characterized by weakness and paralysis that affects the legs, arms, and sometimes the face, due to damage to the peripheral nervous system.

A common symptom of GBS where reflexes in the knees, ankles, and elbows are absent.

A characteristic symptom of GBS that involves a symmetrical weakness and paralysis that starts in the legs and spreads upwards.

A specific pattern of sensory loss in GBS, where the hands and feet lose sensation, resembling a 'glove' and 'stocking' shape.

A complication of GBS where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is affected, leading to unstable blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, sweating, and digestive issues.

A medical procedure used to treat GBS by replacing the patient's plasma with donor plasma, removing antibodies that are attacking the nerves.

A treatment option for GBS involving intravenous administration of antibodies to suppress the immune system and reduce nerve damage.

The long-term outcome of GBS, with most patients seeing improvement over time but some experiencing lasting deficits.

A phase of Guillain Barre Syndrome in which the symptoms worsen and plateau. This is a period of maximum weakness and paralysis.

A phase of Guillain Barre Syndrome where symptoms have stabilized, and the client begins to regain strength. This stage focuses on rehabilitation and restoration of functions.

Occupational therapy interventions focused on adapting the client's environment, promoting communication, and managing anxiety. These interventions are temporary as the client progresses.

Occupational therapy interventions designed to help the client regain independence in everyday tasks, communication, and community participation. This phase emphasizes functional recovery and reintegration.

A standardized assessment, usually performed in the early stages of GBS, focusing on the client's ability to communicate, control their environment, and manage anxiety.

A comprehensive evaluation conducted in the recovery phase, addressing mobility, self-care, communication, and social participation. The goal is to determine the client's needs and create a personalized intervention plan.

Supports used to maintain a desired position or range of motion. In GBS, these can be helpful in preventing deformities and improving function.

A type of splint used to support the ankle and prevent foot drop, a common complication of GBS.

Encouraging the client to use adaptive equipment to make everyday tasks easier, such as built-up utensils for better grip, cups with lids to prevent spills, and non-slip surfaces to prevent falls.

A technique that helps individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) improve their movement by using larger and slower motions.

Using larger writing tools, resting frequently, and exploring online bill payment or using phone apps to reduce stress and improve communication.

Instructing the client to engage in sexual activity after resting and when symptoms are well-managed with medication, also screening for depression if there's a lack of interest or apathy.

Using the rhythm of singing or counting to help clients fine-tune their movements and improve coordination.

A neurological condition primarily affecting movement, characterized by tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and impaired balance. It progresses slowly over time and is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the brain.

The progression of Parkinson's Disease is not always linear, with periods of fluctuating functioning or occasional improvement.

Educating the client and caregiver to allow more time for meals and daily living activities, as rushing can increase symptoms.

Distal wrist weights can be used to help reduce tremors, making tasks requiring fine motor skills easier to perform.

While Parkinson's Disease affects quality of life, it usually doesn't significantly shorten lifespan.

Medications like Levodopa (L-dopa) can increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can reduce Parkinson's symptoms.

Instructing the client to perform activities close to their body and, if possible, with upper extremity support on a table, to improve stability and reduce tremors.

A surgical procedure that uses heat to destroy a part of the thalamus, which can lessen tremors in people with Parkinson's Disease. The effects can last over 10 years.

A surgical procedure that uses heat radiosurgery to destroy a part of the globus pallidus, which can reduce tremors, gait issues, and other symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

A treatment for Parkinson's Disease that involves implanting a device similar to a pacemaker to deliver electrical impulses to specific brain areas, helping to reduce tremors. The electrode is connected to an external switch that the person can turn on or off.

Speech therapy can help individuals with Parkinson's Disease address communication, cognitive, and swallowing difficulties.

A standardized tool used to assess sleep quality in psychiatric practice and research, covering seven domains: sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction, sleep medication use, and subjective sleep quality.

A rare neurological disorder characterized by weakness and paralysis that spreads throughout the body.

An assessment tool used to identify potential fall hazards in the home environment. It focuses on factors such as lighting, stairs, furniture arrangement, and floor surfaces.

A standardized assessment designed to measure motor and process skills in individuals. It provides detailed information on coordination, dexterity, planning, and other functional abilities.

A brief screening tool used to assess cognitive function, particularly for memory and orientation.

A comprehensive textbook that offers guidelines and detailed information on occupational therapy practices for adults with multiple sclerosis.

A textbook focusing on the medical and psychosocial aspects of chronic illness and disability, providing a broad understanding of the impact of these conditions on individuals and their lives.

Disorders affecting the motor unit, which is the functional unit responsible for muscle contraction. This includes conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and muscular dystrophy.