Page 16 - 2021 Summer CMTA Report

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

FOR CMT HANDS

ore than 900 people joined up your pants, she said, while a zipper
a CMTA Zoom call on May 12 pull hooks into your zipper so you can
Mto hear occupational therapist use the full force of your hand and
Valery Hanks dispense numerous tips forearm to pull up the zipper, rather
on aids, exercises and workarounds for than having to use finger strength to
people whose CMT affects their hands. pull it up.
Hanks, a member of the CMTA Advisory
Board, first defined occupational therapy
(OT) for the audience: It is a practice
that helps individuals recovering from
an injury or illness or with disabilities Valery recommended several tools
participate fully in everyday activities. OT for the bathroom: a toilet hygiene aid
trains them to use adaptive equipment helps people reach around after a
and techniques to improve function and bowel movement and bidets make
independence. It also helps individuals ADAPTIVE NAIL CLIPPERS SUCTION washing the genitals a breeze. You
TO ANY SURFACE.
develop strengthening and coordination www.rehab-store.com/p-nail-clipper-board.html don’t have to buy a $700 bidet, she
programs and teaches family members said: A $50 or $75 bidet seat is simple
how to support their loved ones Similarly, she said, an adaptive nail to install and does the job just as well.
effectively. clipper suctions to a table or counter, An elevated toilet seat with safety
allowing people to use forearm rather rails helps people without a lot of leg
The difference between OT and phys- than finger strength to push the device strength get up and down, while a
ical therapy (PT) is that OT deals with down to clip nails. More self-care tools bedside commode can help prevent
self-care tasks, modifications for work, include long-handled combs and one falls in the night, then be stashed away
school or driving and home manage- of Valery’s favorites, a jewelry adapter during the day.
ment, all tasks that involve arm and that attaches to either end of a neck-
hand impairments. PT, on the other lace or bracelet, then uses magnets to
hand, involves walking and assistive make the connection. Other effective
devices to help with safety, balance, self-care tools include buttonhooks,
stairs and general mobility. It involves Velcro shoelaces and AFO assists that
leg and foot impairments and deci- hold the brace still so that you can
sion-making with AFOs. A JEWERLY ADAPTER ATTACHES TO THE END OF
simply slide your foot into it and then A BRACELET OR NECKLACE AND USES MAGNETS
TO MAKE THE CONNECTION.
Hanks divided OT concerns into do the straps. www.amazon.com/Sterling-Magnetic-Converter-
several primary areas—self-care, Another area that OT focuses on is Necklaces-Bracelets/dp/B07QCTVP17/)
bathroom safety and work and home. bathroom safety. A January 2018 study
In the self-care category, she said, surveyed 252 people with CMT and Showering and bathing can also
people with difficulty using their hands 86 percent reported frequent falls present challenges, Hanks said. She
might have problems with buttons, or near falls. A 2014 study found that recommended putting a mat in the
shoelaces, tying a tie, holding utensils, respondents were more likely to get bottom of the tub and using a transfer
cutting fingernails, socks, and jewelry injured if they fell in the bathroom. bench, which allows you to sit outside
fasteners. She recommended tools the tub, then swing your legs over, and
for each. Foam tubing, for example, is use a handheld shower.
cheap and comes in many shapes and
sizes. It can be wrapped around a fork The third area where occupational
or a brush or a pen, making the object therapy can be helpful is home life and
larger and easier to use. work. Helpful tools include battery-
powered can openers, adaptive key
A sock aid is another useful tool. Put a rings and adaptive pill bottle openers.
sock in the device, then drop it down Hanks recommended that people who
to the floor and pull the strings so that don’t have small children at home
the sock goes on without having to use simply ask their pharmacists to put
your fingers. It’s also beneficial for peo- on non-childproof lids.
ple with balance issues or who can’t In the kitchen, jar openers and
reach their feet.
A SOCK AID CAN TRANSFORM THE TASK rocker knives can both reduce the
A reacher/grabber also comes in OF GETTING DRESSED. amount of effort required to use
handy for picking things up or pulling www.amazon.com/RMS-Deluxe-Sock-Foam-Handles/ them, while an adaptive cutting
dp/B00U9TWCXU/

16 THE CMTA REPORT SUMMER 2021