April is National Occupational Therapy Month
By Amy Tobolski, Behavioral Health Specialist

Occupational Therapy is a growing field in which much can be done to provide specialized assistance and help a person increase their level of independence. Occupational therapy can benefit people of all ages who are experiencing difficulties due to physical, social, emotional, or developmental problems. This includes:

• work/sports injuries
• serious illnesses (such as Multiple Sclerosis)
• stroke victims
• accident victims
• people with developmental disabilities
• people with sensory problems, such as experiences in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Some of the services that occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants perform include:

• environmental evaluations with recommendations for adaptations
• training in the use of adaptive equipment
• assessment and customized treatment to improve daily living skills/work performance
• training for family/support personnel to assist them in caring for the individual

An occupational therapist can be a significant addition to a person's health care team. They can provide some practical insights and suggestions to better support someone struggling with issues related to how they may experience the world and how their bodies may work differently. An occupational therapy evaluation can be accesses via a prescription from an individual's physician. You can then contact an OT clinic (check your Yellow Pages or local hospital) to set up an appointment. It is recommended that you ask about the therapist's experience, as there are different areas of specialization within occupational therapy. You may also need to check the individual's insurance, as some companies do not cover OT services.

The staff at NWHC would like to thank Susie Witherall, OTR/L, and Margaret Azzato, COTA/L, from Kane Community Hospital for coming to teach us about their field and its benefits. Additional information for this article is from the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (1988).

Please Welcome Our Newest Staff Member

Hello, my name is Brenda Brien. I joined Northwest Health Connections on February 2, 2004. I feel very fortunate to work for this agency. I live in Bradford, but will be relocating to Warren in the near future, along with my husband, David, and our three children, Chad, Tyler, and Courtney. I look forward to the relocation. Northwest Health Connections is a wonderful organization and I am fortunate to be part of it. The staff here has been very good about helping me acclimate to Warren. I am thankful for the opportunity to work here, as well as be a part of Warren. Feel free to stop in and learn more about our agency, located at 227 Liberty Street. I would love to meet you!

In the Kitchen with Darryl: Easter Bunny Cake

With Easter coming up, here is a simple decoration to make using two round cakes. I typically buy a cake mix that is pink (cherry, cherry chip, or strawberry). Start by making two 9" round cakes according to package directions. Then cut one cake as shown in Figure 1 to make two ears and a bow tie. Arrange the cake pieces as shown in Figure 2 and ice using vanilla frosting. Decorate using licorice for the whiskers and jelly beans for the nose, eyes, and mouth.

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