Energy conservation occupational therapy handbook pdf is an invaluable treatment strategy for patients living with respiratory conditions like COPD, ALS and cancer. It can prevent exacerbations of fatigue and pain and prolong quality of life.
This study evaluated clients and occupational therapists’ experiences with an EME program at home. Clients reported decreased fatigue, reduced depression and goal achievement.
Prioritize
Fatigue can be an everyday struggle for those living with chronic health conditions, restricting daily tasks. Occupational therapy offers several techniques to combat fatigue and minimize its effect on quality of life: prioritizing tasks, activity scheduling, pacing and environmental modifications to name just some examples of energy conservation techniques that could potentially reduce fatigue levels and its negative repercussions.
Prioritizing tasks involves identifying activities most important to the patient and setting aside enough time and planning so they are completed first. Furthermore, occupational therapists (OTs) can teach patients how to pace themselves by breaking tasks into manageable parts with breaks between tasks – this allows for them to complete them at their individual pace without fatigue resulting from long term activity.
Pacing is of vital importance to respiratory patients. They depend on oxygen for daily survival and an excessive expenditure of physical energy may cause their oxygen saturation levels to dip below safe numbers, leading to discoloration of skin or nausea as a result of overexertion of physical movement. Occupational Therapists (OTs) can teach respiratory patients how to use their pulse oximeter throughout the day in order to monitor their oxygen saturation levels more accurately.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) can educate their patients on the importance of limiting repetitive motions to reduce pain and inflammation, particularly for those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, or a rotator cuff injury. Furthermore, OTs offer transfer training that helps clients avoid unnecessary strain during tasks.
Plan
Energy conservation techniques are an integral component of occupational therapy (OT). These strategies can be implemented at work, home, and community settings to reduce fatigue. They may help individuals with various chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart conditions or aging manage symptoms more effectively.
Planning ahead is the key to effective energy conservation techniques. This involves organizing activities and delegating tasks such as hiring caregivers. A detailed task analysis should also be used to ascertain what level of effort each activity requires and help both patient and therapist plan efficiently to complete tasks on schedule.
At times it may be beneficial to utilize smaller equipment and tools in order to lessen physical load on the body, including lightweight cookware, kitchen utensils and paper products that reduce dishwashing time and fatigue. Community meal delivery services also can make life easier; using a rollator or cart for community outings may save energy by eliminating extended walking and sitting times; restricting stair climbing distance will further minimize fatigue while informing patients on proper transfer techniques and body mechanics can prevent injury.
Position
Proper positioning of patients is vital in order to avoid unnecessary pain and fatigue, particularly if they suffer from conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis or any other illness that limits activity tolerance.
Occupational therapists use energy conservation techniques to assist their patients with managing pain and fatigue, including prioritizing tasks, tracking activity logs to observe energy patterns, recommending home modifications or adaptive equipment and prioritizing energy-saving equipment purchases.
OTs also provide education and transfer training on safe body mechanics to assist nursing staff and other healthcare providers to avoid repetitive use injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow tendinitis or rotator cuff tears. This form of occupational therapy helps reduce stress on joints while simultaneously creating a safer environment for patients.
Pursed lip breathing
Breathing is essential, yet an energy drain. Breathing may become labored or difficult for some individuals; pursed lip breathing may help ease breathing so as to remain relaxed.
Pursed Lip Breathing can help move oxygen into the lungs while simultaneously exhaling carbon dioxide out, thus relieving pressure from them and helping you feel less tired. Regular practice of pursed Lip Breathing is key in training the muscles that control breath. You can practice pursed Lip Breathing anytime; however, it may prove particularly helpful during physical exertion or when doing something which causes tightness in your chest area.
Starting off in an easily manageable position, place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest to detect whether your diaphragm is moving. Next, breathe through your nose for two counts before opening your mouth wide to exhale through pursed lips for two counts more – which should take twice as long than inhalation! The goal here is to create positive end-expiratory pressure which helps ensure healthy lung function while helping avoid hypercapnia.
Before trying this technique, it is wise to consult a medical provider or respiratory therapist. A respiratory therapist will show you the correct way to perform exercises, recommend strategies that conserve energy, create a care plan tailored specifically to you and offer support and encouragement in managing your condition effectively. Practicing simple energy conservation techniques may make all the difference in getting more done throughout your day and increasing quality of life.
