Chip Shot - April 2019

SPRING TO HEALTH

WORLD HEALTH DAY April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day. From its inception at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, the celebration has aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization. The topic for the current year is Universal Healthcare for everyone.

NATIONAL FACIAL PROTECTION MONTH April is also the National Facial Protection month.

This holiday reminds both children and adults that, as you suit up for outdoor activities this spring, don't forget to protect your face and head. Many oral and facial injuries can be easily prevented with the use of sports safety equipment like hel- mets and mouth guards.

BENEFITS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Occupational therapy is a skilled health profession dedicated to the improvement and maximiza- tion of function and performance so that people can live healthier, more productive, and more satisfying lives. A licensed occupational therapist can help people strengthen their upper body, improve their

balance, improve home safety, teach individuals how to use recommended adaptive equipment, and educate family and caregivers on the best ways to care for a loved one. Often, occupational therapists recommend activities or modifications to help a range of people achieve personal goals: they can help individuals with disabilities participate fully in academic or social settings, help those recovering from injury regain a specific skillset, and provide support for older adults experiencing physical or cognitive decline. For exam- ple, if a stroke survivor experienced loss of some function on one side of their body, the occupational therapist would as- sess the home for any safety concerns and create a custom- ized plan, including recommended home modifications and adaptive equipment such as safety bars, a shower bench, or wheelchair ramp.