East Coast Occupational Therapy Inc.

Hello all! Just a quick check-in from East Coast Occupational Therapy. CTV posted a nice article on 8 April titled: This is why you don’t need to be productive during a pandemic. The link is here: https://www.ctvnews.ca//this-is-why-you-don-t-need-to-be-p... Maintaining some key aspects of your routine can be helpful during these times. You might consider having a short list of essential daily tasks that you strive to complete. These might include things such as: - Taking a shower - Getting dressed - Taking any prescribed medications - Eating a nutritious meal - Going for a walk You might also consider having a secondary list of optional tasks available, and then picking one or two tasks to complete from that list each day. These might include things such as: - Leisure reading for 20 minutes - Writing in a journal - Calling a friend or family member - Sending a letter or email - Addressing a housekeeping task such as vacuuming, laundry, etc. - Organizing a closet - Unpacking or sorting through a storage box - Trying a new recipe - Raking the lawn - Cleaning your vehicle - Playing a new game with your children This is a time to be kind to yourself and keep tabs on your mental health and well-being as the days go by. Having realistic expectations is important - be mindful of increased pressure you might be putting on yourself and try to avoid phrases such as I should be doing . Monitor your mood and perspective each day and reach out to friends and loved ones when you need support. Remember that feelings of sadness and grief are normal and it’s okay to have days when you feel less motivated. You are not alone in your struggles.

In accordance with NS provincial guidelines, East Coast OT has discontinued all non-urgent in-person meetings at this time. We continue to provide Telehealth support and are available by email at [email protected]. We understand this can be a difficult time for many. Please see the attached tips for coping with Covid-19: https://www.eastcoastot.ca/an-update-regarding-covid-19/

Happy Holidays from East Coast Occupational Therapy! The holidays are often filled with celebrations and family traditions but they can also be a stressful time for some of our friends, neighbours and loved ones. Grief regarding loved ones lost, memories of past holiday times, or feelings of loneliness can be overwhelming for some. Sometimes a quick phone call or message can lift spirits and let someone know you are thinking of them. Alternatively, some prefer to have time al...one at this time of year and checking in with support for those choices can be the best way to share your love and understanding. An OT can help those who struggle with grief or mental illness to find ways of coping with their symptoms and re-connect with their friends, family and community. Feel free to contact us to discuss your needs and concerns. Warm wishes to all! Zita MacDow Managing Clinician East Coast Occupational Therapy

Zita MacDow is now a PGAP service provider. Please call or e-mail to discuss your needs or inquire about this service. "Each year, hundreds of thousands of people become disabled due to injury or illness. Whether addressed in relation to personal, social or health care costs, chronic disability remains one of the most expensive health problems facing modern society. PGAP was designed to prevent or reduce the severity of disability that can arise following injury or illness. ...The primary goals of PGAP are to reduce psychosocial barriers to rehabilitation progress, promote re-integration into life-role activities, increase quality of life, and facilitate return-to-work. These goals are achieved through targeted treatment of psychosocial risk factors, structured activity scheduling, graded-activity involvement, goal-setting, problem-solving, and motivational enhancement." Source: https://www.pgapworks.com/en/index.php