Experts | University of the Sciences

Simple Steps to Avoid Trips and Falls

A Health Tip from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

By:  Frank Kunkle

Falls Prevention Awareness day may have passed, but it is never a bad time to take steps to prevent avoidable trips and falls, particularly for older adults. According to the National Council on Aging, one in three Americans aged 65+ fall each year.

“We know older adults make up the at-risk population when we begin thinking about preventing falls. A few environmental changes prove to be very helpful, but an inter-disciplinary approach is often best,” said Pamalyn Kearney, assistant professor of occupational therapy at USciences.

Kearney and Dr. Carol Maritz, associate professor of physical therapy, urge older adults and those caring for loved ones to make a few changes this season.

Fall Prevention Tips:

• Clean up that clutter—clear pathways are essential for older adults. Think twice before leaving items on stairs and evaluate placement of a pet’s food dish. Also, consider eliminating throw rugs—they can wrinkle easily or slide across the floor.
• The bathroom can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house. Use rubber mats to keep the tub surface from becoming slippery and install grab bars for stability. The wall soap dish and towel rack are not meant to hold human weight and can be very dangerous to use as support.
• Use a strategically placed nightlight since it takes time for human eyes to adjust at night. Check the lighting on stairs and remember, light that is too bright can cause a glare, making it just as dangerous as poor lighting. 
• Older adults should carry a cellphone or a life support button at all times—even in the house—to summon help quickly.
• Are appliances and dishes frequently used in the kitchen within easy reach? If not, reorganize. Only use a stepstool with a handle, not a dining room chair.
• Many older adults use their cane or walker only when they go out but in reality, they are no steadier in their own home. Unlike your assistive devices, grabbing furniture presents a risk because it can move or break.

Beyond these environmental modifications, Kearney and Dr. Maritz recommend older adults take an inclusive approach to their well-being. They should be doing strength-building exercises and a meeting with doctors to discuss medications. In addition, a physical therapist can help determine a person’s deficits and recommend a variety of resources, while an occupational therapist can evaluate how a person goes about their daily activities and suggest lifestyle changes.

Avoiding Homework Hassle: Turning Off the TV and Hitting the Books without Argument

Back to school can mean long nights of homework hassle for parents and students. Homework, however, does not have to be a time of great stress for families according to Dr. Paula Kramer, chair and professor of occupational therapy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Dr. Kramer suggests that establishing a routine for homework is the best way to strengthen behavior and avoid conflict.

“Homework is a necessary part of childhood, education, and a critical aspect of development for future productive behaviors,” said Dr. Kramer. “By creating a daily schedule, which involves designated time for homework and studying, children will begin to see homework as a responsibility, just like going to work is for parents.”

Dr. Kramer suggests the following tips to help avoid arguments over turning off the television and hitting the books:

• Come to an understanding with the student that homework is a necessity. Teach them that homework is something that has to be done on a daily basis.
• Communicate with the teachers and find out how much time the student is expected to devote to homework each night. Discuss this expectation so the child has an understanding of the average time they will need to devote to homework each night. Setting expectations and time limits will make the child more productive.
• Allow for active playtime before homework. If the child does not have an afterschool activity such as a sport or dance class, provide 45 minutes to an hour for the child to engage in active behavior prior to homework. The physical activity will help the child burn off energy, settle the nervous system, and refocus mentally for homework.  
• Create a designated area for homework and studying. Depending upon the child, this could mean setting up a desk space in a bedroom away from family members or clearing off the kitchen table within view of the parent. The important thing to remember is to keep the homework locale consistent, quiet, and free from distractions.
• Create charts to track homework progress. The chart will not only set a schedule that visibly shows that homework needs to be done every night, but will also allow the child to track progress. Rewards can be given for homework completed successfully a few nights in a row.    
• Utilize positive reinforcement to encourage good homework and study habits. Positive reinforcement should be used to recognize accomplishments. Small rewards should be given for small tasks, such as a gold sticker on the homework chart for completing homework that week. Larger rewards should be given for larger accomplishments, such as choosing what the family has for dinner on Friday night for an “A” on a test.
• Be a role model for the child. School can not teach everything. Responsibility for successful behavior also lies at home. Parents need to take an active role in their child’s education and should check in on the child during homework to make sure it is completed properly. Parents should also suggest and model behaviors that teach important life skills that make tasks more manageable. For example, initiate the creation of flash cards on Monday for a test that will need to be studied for on Thursday or set daily “goals” for the child so a project will be completed ahead of its due date. 

The field of occupational therapy focuses on helping people with physical, developmental, and behavioral disabilities participate effectively in meaningful and goal-directed activities. USciences recently received provisional approval to offer a doctor in occupational therapy (DrOT) degree that gives students the necessary cutting-edge knowledge and skills to make an impact on a broad range of patient problems. USciences’ DrOT puts students ahead of the game, setting them up to be leaders in the burgeoning occupational therapy field. Fore more information on USciences' DrOT degree, visit: http://www.usp.edu/academics/collegesDepts/ot.

Backpack Safety: “Pack It Light, and Wear It Right!”

Ali Gorman, RN, from 6ABC reported, "From 1st grade to college, backpacks have become an essential for all the things students schlep around. Occupational therapist Dr. Paula Kramer says more than half of all backpacks also carry a serious problem. Dr. Kramer says a loaded pack shouldn't weigh more than 10 to 15 per cent of a child's body weight."

Watch Dr. Kramer share back-to-school backpack safety tips on: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/health&id=7000211

Research Day Showcases Faculty and Student Research

From metabolic engineering to computational chemistry and from structural prediction of proteins to rational design of new therapeutics, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia showcased the diversity and growth of research pursuits on campus during its 7th Annual Research Day starting on Thursday, April 2, 2009. Posters representing approximately 120 topics were on display.

Research Day recognizes undergraduate and graduate student research efforts, and highlights aspects of faculty scholarly activity to encourage and promote communication and collaboration among investigators. The University is distinctive in that most undergraduate students conduct research with faculty early in their academic careers.

The diverse research activity on display spans several aspects of the University’s scholarly pursuits, including:

• Biological Sciences: Dr. Jennifer Anthony’s research involving the metabolic engineering of E. coli for the production of vitamin A.
  • Chemistry: Dr. Randy Zauhar’s use of computer-aided drug design to identify new antimicrobial lead compounds.
• Pharmaceutical Sciences: Dr. Bin Chen’s evaluation of the effects of vascular-targeting photodynamic therapy on prostate cancer metastasis.
• Physical Therapy: Dr. Therese Johnston’s usage of treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy.
• Social Sciences: Psychology major Mark Paullin’s (Philadelphia, Pa.) study of mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Health Policy: Master in public health major Sekinat Kekere-Ekun’s (Deptford, N.J.) work on the descriptive epidemiology of viral hepatitis in methadone maintenance clients.
• Pharmacy Practice: Doctor of pharmacy students Neha Patel (Fairless Hills, Pa.), Puja Patel (Hillsborough, N.J.), and Isha Shah’s (Bensalem, Pa.) analysis of the usage of ondansetron in non-chemotherapy patients at a community teaching hospital.