Wallace Said:

Elderly Mom Wont Get Help?

We Answered:

They need help. SOmeone needs to step up and make it happen. There are plenty of community based services. If it's a choice between going into a nursing home for good, or letting people into the home to help, then most people would choose the latter.

Jared Said:

work with animals as an occupational therapist?

We Answered:

It's possible to do that as an OT, I'm just not sure how you would go about doing it. The most common is hippotherapy, where horses are used. My mom is an OT and she got an animal shelter to do a conjunction with a nursing home to do some animal assisted therapy. I'll give you some links since I'm not too much help :] It can be done, it's just something you'll have to work at to get started.

http://www.equine-therapy-programs.com/i…
http://www.horsesandhumans.org/Newslette…

Elizabeth Said:

Work with animals as an occupational therapist?

We Answered:

If you don't find a job, it usually helps to volunteer first. You then have experience and possibly contacts and knowhow to help find a job.

Don Said:

What should I get a degree in?

We Answered:

Overall, PT would be a better choice for this, but as an OT, you can also have a great experience working with elderly clients, but you will function more on day to day tasks.

Cheryl Said:

occupational therapy major! ?

We Answered:

I am not a therapist but I know the routine. My nephew has gone to ot for years. He started at 9 months. He has CP. When he was little, she would stretch his legs, try to get him to be able to role, that kind of thing When he was a little older they did things like toss bean bags in a bucket and take them back out. They worked on sitting, coloring, holding a spoon. He went for an hour twice a week. The therapist "Ms. Jen" worked for a company and made good money, she had one kid every hour with one hour off for lunch. Our PT was a freelance type. She worked for a company but chose who and when she would see them. you should work as an advocate for a while to see what all they do, it takes a special kind of person to deal with special need kiddies.

In a way it is very sad, kids try so hard to do something that their little body's just won't let them do. My nephew is six now, he doesn't walk, talk, or eat by himself. Small things become big things. When he started to crawl, it was a painful looking crawl, but it meant he was mobile, and we all cried. Without knowing special need kids it is hard to have the respect for them and their parents, it is SO hard to have one.