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Smart Lighting: A Quiet Way to Feel Steadier at Home
I often notice that it’s not the big things that make home feel harder—it’s the little moments. Walking down the hallway at night. Reaching for a light switch with full hands. Stepping into a dim room and pausing for just a second to get your bearings. This is more common than people realize. And it doesn’t mean anything is “wrong.” One simple, dignity-preserving way many people make their homes feel easier and safer is smart lighting . Not flashy. Not complicated. Just thoug
amberbartleyot
Jan 262 min read
Activities of Daily Living
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) As an occupational therapist, I refer to all the tasks you do on a daily basis as Activities of Daily Living , or ADLs. These are the essential things you do each day, like getting out of bed, putting on socks, using the bathroom, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or making a cup of coffee. While they may seem routine or automatic now, these tasks can become more challenging as we age or face health changes. This is where occupational the
amberbartleyot
Jan 41 min read
World Occupational Therapy Day
October 27th was World Occupational Therapy Day , and it gave me a moment to pause and reflect on my journey as an occupational therapist. When I first started college, I had never even heard of occupational therapy. But through a career assessment, I discovered this incredible field that views people through such a unique, holistic lens. What drew me in—and continues to inspire me—is that occupational therapy combines science and compassion. It’s evidence-based, yes, but it
amberbartleyot
Oct 29, 20251 min read
Caregiver burnout
Caring for loved ones is rewarding and also challenging at times. When I was caring for my grandma in my home, I wasn’t always able to...
amberbartleyot
Jul 30, 20251 min read
Life story book autobiography
An album or notebook like this can be a great way to preserve memories and foster meaningful conversations. This is a book with larger...
amberbartleyot
Jul 23, 20251 min read
Hydration: do you drink enough water?
There are lots of reasons we don’t drink enough water, but we know how important hydration is to our daily health. Have you tried other...
amberbartleyot
Jul 19, 20251 min read
Home Modifications Checklist
National Council on Aging has this great graph to help you consider which modifications to consider in your home....
amberbartleyot
Jul 17, 20251 min read
Staying active: Silver Sneakers
“SilverSneakers is a fitness and wellness program offered at no additional cost to seniors 65+ on eligible Medicare plans that helps you...
amberbartleyot
Jul 12, 20251 min read
Why do you need an occupational therapist?
As an occupational therapist, I have a unique perspective. OTs are trained to view your life as a whole. We aren’t just looking at your...
amberbartleyot
Jul 10, 20251 min read
Falls Prevention
National Council On Aging has a falls free check up, a quick and easy way to check for fall risk. https://www.ncoa.org/tools/falls-free-...
amberbartleyot
Jul 9, 20251 min read
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