Caregiver and Client Education

Education

Education should be done early and often in our treatments.  We can not stress to you enough how important it is to educate clients, caregivers, and family members in order to achieve goals and continue to show skilled care.

Remember, YOU are the expert when it come to your client’s success, Without you knowledge and clinical recommendations, client’s may not reach their full potential. Even if you think something your educating on is “common sense,” it may be new to your client or caregiver and therefore extremely helpful for carryover. 

Educational Topics

There are numerous topics you can educate your client and their caregivers on including.  

• Role of discipline (OT/PT/SLP) 
  • Often done during initial evaluation
• Fall prevention
  • vision check up
  • appropriate shoes
  • physical deficits
• Medication management
  • pill box organizer
  • medication schedule
• Dehydration
  • risks
  • prevention
• Community resource
  • transportation
  • social activities
  • adult day care centers
• Adaptive equipment use
  • reacher
  • sock aid
  • commode
• Durable medical equipment
  • rolling walker
  • rollator walker
  • wheelchair
• Safety
  • visually scanning environment
  • locking brakes on w/c
  • grab bars
• Energy conservation techniques
  • scheduling
  • time management
• Environmental modifications
  • removing throw rugs
  • reducing clutter
  • adjusting lights
• Pain management and use of modalities
  • heat vs ice
  • RICE
• Disease management
  • diabetes
  • edema
  • arthritis
• Urinary incontinence
  • voiding schedules
  • bladder training
• Behavior management
  • communication
  • sensory input

The possibilities for education are endless!

Do you know any other therapists that could use more ideas for evidence based treatment? Make sure to share this post and follow us and tag them on Instagram www.instagram.com/thenoteninjas

And if you haven't yet make sure to download our FREE PDF with skilled care documentation tips HERE!