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Category: Celebrations & Awarenesses

World Occupational Therapy Day is on Wednesday, October 27th of this year. This day was initially launched to celebrate and heighten the visibility of occupational therapy. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Belong. Be you.” This year’s theme promotes the power of diversity and inclusion as we work together to build community and resilience. 

What is Occupational Therapy? 

Occupational therapy teaches you how to adapt. After an illness or injury, tasks may not be as easy as they used to be, especially if the pain is involved. Your OT will set up a plan to improve the way you accomplish activities. They determine if you need to learn how to do things in a completely new way or if you need assistance with remembering how you once performed the task. If they notice the lesson is painful, they will help you figure out how to achieve your everyday activities with minimum pain.

People with the following struggles find enormous relief when they see an occupational therapist: 

  • Spinal cord injury 
  • Low vision  
  • Alzheimer’s disease 
  • Poor balance 
  • Cancer 
  • Diabetes 
  • Multiple sclerosis 
  • Cerebral palsy 
  • Mental health or behavioral issues 
  • Joint replacement 
  • New Injuries that change the way the patient will function through life 

Occupational Therapists Aid Seniors Choosing to Age in Place 

While Occupational Therapists excel at helping those with an injury, disability or illness, they can also help if you have an older loved one choosing to age in place. They can teach them how to adjust to daily life, whether it be bathing, dressing, or learning how to adapt to home modifications.

At Next Day Access, we are proud to aid occupational therapists when they need products for their patient’s homes. We have a wide variety of mobility equipment, home modifications, and accessibility products to help ensure that anyone living with a disability or aging in place is secure and comfortable at home. You can even contact us for a free in-home consultation.  

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Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s Disease. Currently, 200,000 Americans under 65 have early on-set Alzheimer’s disease. Every year on September 21, 2021, we commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day. We observe World Alzheimer’s day every year to bring awareness and educate people about this debilitating disease. By celebrating the day, it brings awareness to the disease, so we can highlight the issues that people with dementia are encountering. It is a chance for people to show how to overcome these issues while helping those with dementia. 

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that causes brain cells to degenerate and die. It is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior that affects daily life. The cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, and currently, there is no cure for it. It accounts for over 60% of dementia cases, and the numbers are steadily increasing.  

Each year for World Alzheimer’s Day, there is a theme to help start discussions about the disease. This year the theme of the 2021 campaign is Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s, and it is all about the power of knowledge. The campaign goal is to shine a light on the warning signs of dementia and the importance of a timely diagnosis. In honor of this day, we have compiled a list of warning signs of dementia. If your loved one exhibits any of these signs, we urge you to quickly seek the attention of a medical professional to get a timely diagnosis. The signs are taken directly from the CDC website, and they are as follows:

What are the warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting events, repeating yourself, or relying on more aids to help you remember (like sticky notes or reminders). 

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems:  having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years. 

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: having problems cooking, driving places, using a cell phone, or shopping. 

4. Confusion with time or place:  having trouble understanding an event that is happening later or losing track of dates. 

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: having more difficulty balancing or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often. 

6. Recent problems with words in speaking or writing: having trouble following or joining a conversation or struggling to find a word you are looking for (saying “that thing on your wrist that tells time “Instead of “watch”). 

7. Misplacing objects and losing the ability to retrace steps: placing car keys in the washer or dryer or not being able to retrace steps to find something. 

8. Decreased or poor judgment: being a fraud victim, not managing money well, paying less attention to hygiene, or having trouble taking care of a pet. 

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: not wanting to go to church or other activities as you usually do, not being able to follow football games or keep up with what is happening. 

10. Changes in mood and personality: getting easily upset in ordinary situations or being fearful or suspicious. 

If these warning signs are present for you or your loved one, we strongly encourage you to seek medical attention. By being able to identify the warning signs and learning more about the disease, you or your loved ones can reach out for help and get the support you need. 

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Recognized by the National Alliance on Mental Health, September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. A time to help raise awareness and educate those around us about how we can help those who may be struggling. A recent study showed that suicide occurs every 16 minutes. It is the 10th leading cause of death among all ages. It is important to continue to raise awareness about mental health and share resources on suicide prevention. In observation of this month, here is a list of questions that could help you take action if you think someone is suicidal. The following questions came directly from the “I’ve Got You Project” (ivegotyouproject.com) and are adapted from The Mayo Clinic. 

  • Do you feel hopeless? 
  • Do you think about dying? 
  • Are you thinking about hurting yourself? 
  • Are you thinking about suicide? 
  • Have you ever thought about suicide before or tried to hurt yourself before? 
  • Are you wanting to give up? 
  • Have you thought about how or when you would do it? 
  • Have you been drinking or using any drugs? 
  • Do you have access to weapons or other means that can be used to hurt yourself? 

If your friend or loved one answered yes to any of these questions and showing signs of suicidal behavior, take action by offering resources to show that they are not alone. Here are some further guidelines from The Mayo Clinic on what to do if you think someone is suicidal. 

  • Encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. 
  • Encourage the person to seek treatment. A suicidal or severely depressed person may not have the energy or motivation to find help. If the person does not want to consult a doctor or mental health provider, suggest finding help from a support group, crisis center, faith community, teacher, or other trusted person. You can offer support and advice — but remember that it is not your job to substitute for a mental health provider. 
  • Offer to help the person take steps to get assistance and support. For example, you can research treatment options, make phone calls, and review. 

It’s important to spread awareness and educate ourselves and others about mental health and suicide prevention. We encourage our readers who feel hopeless or depressed to call the National Suicide hotline if negative feelings arise.   

Posted in Celebrations & Awarenesses, Health & WellnessTagged , ,

On July 26th, 2021, at an event to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the signing of the “Americans with Disabilities Act,” Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared that the State of Maryland would yearly celebrate July as Disability Culture and Achievements Month. 

“Today, the State of Maryland is taking another step forward to ensure that all of our citizens are confident in their ability to contribute to their communities and assured that all value those contributions,” said Governor Hogan. “Every July, we will promote and enhance events and activities all across the state focused on disability pride, culture, and contributions to society.” 

During the event, the governor also honored Becca Meyers; Meyers, 26, was born deaf due to Usher syndrome and has gradually lost her vision. Despite her disability, she amazed fans when she went on to win six medals as a Paralympic swimmer: three gold medals and a silver in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and a silver and bronze at the 2012 London Games.  

Ms. Meyer’s dealt with an unimaginable frustration this year when she had to withdraw from the Paralympics games because officials would not allow her to bring her Personal Care Assistant, due to Covid mandates.

When interviewed, Becca said, “It makes me upset. I am a person with a disability. And I do not feel safe going to Tokyo without my PCA. I should not have to fear my safety in Tokyo because I have been denied my PCA. How can an organization that prides itself on celebrating athletes with disabilities do this to an athlete with a disability?”

Meyer’s father, who is equally as upset as his daughter, said, “he reckons the blame falls solely on the laps of the USOPC. We contacted the Maryland secretary of state, Becca deserved to be able to compete.”

“While we are all so disappointed for her, we are unbelievably proud of Becca for having the courage to speak up and speak out against this injustice,” said Governor Hogan. “Becca, you are an inspiration to so many people—including me.”

At Next Day Access, we are inspired by Ms. Beyer’s bravery. We think it is important to share these stories of resilience in the face of adversity. Every time you are faced with fear, exhaustion, sadness, or anger, we hope you will remember that you have people on your side that care.

We are proud to offer accessibility and mobility equipment for your home. We specialize in product installation, free in-home consultations, and custom products. Contact us for all your accessibly and mobility needs.  

Posted in Celebrations & Awarenesses, News

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and everyone can help spread awareness by doing their part. For some, it may be hard to understand the extent of mental health until they experience it first-hand or know of a loved one who is or has gone through it. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness. Many of these individuals may not feel comfortable talking about it because it is typically overlooked. But the best way to normalize mental health is by doing your part during Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are some ways.

Educate Yourself 

There is so much to learn, and it only begins with you. The first step to help spread awareness is educating yourself. Learn about the warning signs, stigmas, and coping skills that surround mental health. A common misconception is that mental health looks and acts a certain way, but there are many different illnesses and treatments.   

Create Conversations

Once you’ve educated yourself about mental health, the next step is creating a conversation with those around you. Unlike a physical disability, a mental health condition is often hard to see unless someone tells you about it. Asking your friends, family members, or coworkers how they are doing and listening may sound like a simple solution, but sometimes all people need is someone to listen to them. Make sure to follow up with them periodically and offer resources to show that they are not alone and help is available.

Share Personal Stories

If you have experienced mental health issues in the past or are currently overcoming them, share your experiences with others. If someone is going through the same thing as you and you talk about your journey, they may feel more comfortable opening up.  Talk about the healthy habits you’ve developed both physically and mentally that have helped. Your experiences could be what others need to hear to take action and help themselves.

Encourage People To Get Support

Sometimes all we need is a little push. Whether people have a physical disability or a cognitive disability that leads to a mental health condition, help them find the support they need. It can be hard for people to reach out for support on their own because they may feel ashamed or embarrassed. But the bigger the support system, the more comfortable they will feel to find the resources they need.

Next Day Access helps promote Mental Health Awareness in different ways, so contact us today to learn how we can help.

Posted in Celebrations & Awarenesses, Health & Wellness

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