Houstyn Hodson

Takeaways  I thoroughly enjoyed this lecture and the perspective that Dr. Valli brought regarding sexual health and the aging population. I learned a lot of valuable information that can be translated across the lifespan. I think the biggest takeaway for me is that talking about sex and sexual health does not have to be a strange, taboo topic. Of course I realize that this is topic is progressive in nature for a lot of cultures and societies and it is not appropriate for me to initiate this type of conversation with any and all clients I see, but I do feel much better prepared to discuss it if the opportunity presents itself in an appropriate situation, using the PLISSIT model. Like Dr. Valli said over and over, I'm just thankful to have had access to this information and to be able to talk about it like we do any other subject. I liked that she debunked a lot of myths, one being that older adults must be "asexual". We will all be older adults one day and though our min...

Today's driving and community mobility lecture was so interesting and applicable to everyone. We learned that we typically outlive our ability to drive by 6-8 years! That means that for the last 6-8 years of our lives we won't be driving. This really hit home for me because aging is something that will happen to us all, no matter what. The ability to drive is one of the most important factors for myself that defines independence. Takeaway Points:  The key takeaway points I got from today's lecture are the importance of driver safety at all ages and how occupational therapists can play a role in ensuring the safety of other drivers. I think occupational therapists have a unique position in this niche of care, in that we are holistic in nature and well suited to cover this sensitive topic. I think we can be a support for those we see that don't get the best news about their potential future in driving. We also learned about how important it is to build rapport quickl...

Based on my glyphs, my view of what leadership looks like has not changed much. With that being said, however, I do feel as if my view has changed. The only major change to my drawing was the way I drew the face. According to the guidelines, "if you believe that leadership is an inborn trait , draw a triangle-shaped head. If you think that leadership stems from nurture over nature , draw a square-shaped head". Last year, at the beginning of my OT journey I drew my self-portrait with a square head indicating that you can learn leadership skills and learn to be a leader. This year I drew a triangle-shaped face with a square around it. I think this is interesting. I believe that leadership skills can be learned and developed, but I have also changed my thinking to believe that there are natural-born leaders and that leadership is also an inborn trait, to some degree. I have found this to be true in my OT school journey being in class with 38 other people that have different cha...

The main takeaway I got from this lecture is the importance of prevention. I am learning this a lot the more I am exposed to different healthcare settings and especially the elderly population. It is so interesting that we expect to become frail as we age as if this is a normal progression of life when it doesn't have to be! We need more education at a younger age and THROUGHOUT our school and college years about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. Good nutrition and exercise should be taught to us like brushing and flossing our teeth. You have to eat well and exercise or you increase your risk of getting chronic and/or preventable diseases and increase your risk of mortality at an earlier age. You have to brush and floss your teeth or you will lose them. It should be that simple and it should be taught to everyone in all societies. In regard to the elderly population specifically, I learned that the elderly have much higher nutrition needs due to the physiological proc...

Click on the following link to watch my debriefing video!! https://youtu.be/Us_qCdLxIkc

Reflection: The most important thing I learned from this assignment is that an approach to intervention is multidimensional and must usually, or always, address more than one barrier to occupational performance to be successful. For my client, Paula, I had to use popsicle sticks to address one of her main goals. Her main goals were using the computer, keeping in contact with her colleagues and husband, and independence in daily dressing. I could have chosen to use the popsicle sticks to address her independence in daily dressing goal and that might have been a little easier, but then I would have been neglecting two of her other goals that could be addressed with one approach. There might have been some kind of device I could’ve made or come up with that would have addressed all of these goals in some way, but I also realize that I am not skilled in this area yet, if I ever will be! I learned from this project that there is a lot more I need to learn and know about different diag...