November is Diabetes Awareness Month – one of the top health concerns worldwide with 1.2M Americans diagnosed each year, 11.6% of Americans living with diabetes in 2023, and 97.6M American adults living with prediabetes.

Physical therapists and occupational therapists play a large role in helping people with diabetes. PT’s can reduce sensitivity to diabetic nerve pain, assist in the development of a safe and effective exercise program to lower blood sugar levels, help protect painful areas, check for appropriate footwear, and discuss potential support equipment. OT’s can address diabetic self-management and monitoring skills, lifestyle changes, strategies to help compensate for sensory loss, maintain diabetic medication tracking and organization, and recommend assistive devices as needed.

Check out the American Diabetes Association to learn more about diabetes and how to support those with it.

Falls can result in unwanted outcomes, including injury, loss of independence, and a decreased ability to do the things that are most important to you or a loved one. Research shows that physical therapy works to prevent falls in older adults.

Contact Active Therapy for more information on how our team of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can help.

Falls are the leading cause of injury for all ages in the United States. Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) can help prevent falls through assessing risk factors, modifying the environment, improving strength, flexibility, and gait, and educating on fall prevention. Speech therapists (STs) can assist in preventing falls through assessing cognitive function, developing memory aids, and addressing safety strategies and sequences.

National Council on Aging - 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall: 1) find a good balance and exercise program; 2) talk to your healthcare provider; 3) regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist; 4) get your vision and hearing checked annually and update your eyeglasses; 5) keep your home safe; 6) talk to your family members. Learn more by visiting The National Council on Aging (NCOA) at https://www.ncoa.org.

#FallPreventionAwareness

September is World Alzheimer’s Month - a global opportunity to raise awareness, support those affected, and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.

Whether it be joining the Alzheimer's Association, fundraising for the cause, sharing information, or talking to a loved one about dementia - there are many ways that YOU can make a difference!

Learn more, join the fight, and spread Alzheimer's awareness by visiting https://www.alz.org/ or other Alzheimer’s foundations.

February is American Heart Month ♥️ – a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health and raise awareness about the risks of heart disease and the importance of identifying and managing heart-related health conditions. 

Regular physical activities like walking, bicycling, or attending fitness classes are a healthy habit to help reduce the risk for heart disease and heart-related complications. 

Visit our “Services” page for information on Active Therapy hosted exercise classes offered at many of the facilities we partner with to join a fun and educational exercise group!

Today (and everyday), we recognize and honor the selflessness and dedication of caregivers and the vital role they play in the lives of others. Today, we encourage you to show appreciation for caregivers and their critical contributions to families, our communities, and healthcare system. You can show appreciation through listening, offering help, saying thank you, writing a note, and encouraging self-care. THANK YOU, CAREGIVERS! ♥️

Did you know occupational therapists play a role in helping poor vision? OTs can help through:

— teaching visual training exercises, such as eye tracking, scanning techniques, and focusing exercises

— environmental modifications, such as increased lighting, improving contrasting colors, decluttering, and adding tactile markers to help identify objects

— educating on how to use low-vision devices, such as magnifiers, large print materials, and specialized lighting

— helping people adapt and manage their visual impairments during daily tasks

 And more!

By identifying potential hazards and providing guidance on navigating through the environment safely, OTs can largely improve the safety and independence of those with visual impairments. 

Could you or your loved one benefit from an occupational therapy low vision evaluation? To learn more, contact us!

When discussing brain injury awareness, falls are a crucial topic as they are considered the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries - particularly among older adults. Our team of PTs and OTs play a key role in fall prevention and are specialists in conducting comprehensive fall prevention assessments and education on fall prevention strategies.

Occupational therapists can assess the home environment, identify potential hazards, and recommend safety equipment, modifications, and techniques while also teaching you or your loved one how to properly use them – overall helping to reduce falls and maintain independence during daily activities. Physical therapists can create individualized exercise programs to help improve balance, strength, and flexibility.

Contact us if you believe you or your loved one would benefit from a comprehensive fall prevention assessment.