LOTTUS Design’s recent Home Modifications (HM) & Universal Design (UD) Projects

Over the last 6 months, LOTTUS Designs has completed several HM projects.  Because we like to share knowledge and ideas, we have posted several photo albums on our Facebook site.  Here we show before and after pics of our projects.  Click here to go and LIKE us on Facebook.

In addition to these projects, we have also joined up with the ACE Mentor Program to help 8 high school students with a national design competition on UD and Aging-in-Place.  Currently, the students are in the design phase of the project to prepare it for competition.  This is an exciting mentor program because it engages high school students in fields of study (in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) and helps them think about pursuing a career.  This week we took the students on a day trip to show them one of our recently completed HM projects so they can see some UD in real life.

Our mission and involvement with this project is to help these students on a career path, but also to start building the bridge from the ground up that brings the architecture/engineering/construction industry together with the healthcare industry.  In order to have the best possible solution, whether for a remodel or for new construction, these industries must come together and understand each others’ roles and expertise when it comes to the aging and physically challenged populations.

The students placed 2nd in the competition, first runner up and $1000 !  Well deserved for their hard work!

Check out our photos throughout this project on Facebook.  LOTTUS Designs Facebook

Filed under: General, Home Mods & Universal Design by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Friday, April 12th, 2013
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Cindi Petito – Occupational Therapist and Wheelchair Specialist – USA

This week we are celebrating OT Week in the United Kingdom with OT Expert.  To help raise awareness of the OT profession around the world, I featured an article about my life as an occupational therapist and wheelchair specialist.  OT Expert “aims to build an interactive community, a social network of OTs and others who together can demonstrate the benefits of occupational therapy, support each other and create a human resource of OT expertise.”  It’s exciting to share our knowledge and expertise with other OTs around the globe!

Featured Article

A Day’s Work as a Wheelchair Specialist

otexpert.co.uk/2012/11/cindi-petito-occupational-therapist-and-wheelchair-specialist-usa/

To learn more about OT Expert and share your story, you can visit their website at:  otexpert.co.uk

Filed under: General, Industry News, Publications by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
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Seating Solutions and Apex Home Care together with the ALSA Florida Chapter are developing an ALS Specialty Home Health Pilot Program

Over the last 2 years, Seating Solutions, Apex Home Care, and Mederi Caretenders have been working together with the ALSA Florida Chapter to improve the continuum of care throughout the disease progression.  Through our journey together, we began to recognize that the current medical model and payment system within home care created challenges in providing skilled care for persons with ALS.  As a result, we have used the term “Rehabilitation in Reverse.”  The rehabilitation in reverse model’s focus is better clinical and functional outcomes, and a better home health care experience.

Cindi Petito (Seating Solutions), Marilee Howard (Apex Home Care), Judie Benwick (ALSA Florida Chapter)

A Focus Group Report was written earlier this year by Judie Benwick, M.S.H, M.P.H., CHES.  Here are a few highlights:

The Problem
“Home health care services generally follow an “improvement model”, meaning that the physical condition of the patient is expected to improve as a result of the home care services received. However, this improvement model, as it is traditionally defined, does not set realistic goals for the treatment of progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS for which there is no chance of recovery. As a result pALS and family members, and home care staff as well, easily give in to frustration when standard improvement goals achievable with other diseases and conditions are not met with ALS.”

Collaborative Roles
“The ALS Specialty Home Care Program was implemented through Mederi Caretenders (Gainesville) in October 2009 and approximately one year later through Apex Home Health (Jacksonville). It has continued as an ongoing program at both home health agencies ever since. Collaborative partners include Seating Solutions and the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, both of which have been involved in the program from the start of the pilot project. More recently UF/Shand-Jacksonville has begun to refer pALS for program services.”

Currently, we are writing protocols for all disciplines involved in the care of persons with ALS in conjunction with the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  The plan is to implement the program with case studies throughout 2013.  Our hope is to develop a sound program that helps guide healthcare professionals and home health agencies in the care of persons with ALS.

Filed under: General, Industry News, Publications by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Monday, September 17th, 2012
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Derian, who is an Occupational Therapy student from the University of Florida, has completed her specialty internship with us to learn about being a wheeled mobility and seating specialist!  

We had a lot of fun during these last 6 weeks!  It’s hard to believe it is already over!

Even though the time was fast and furious, Derian was able to experience more than most graduates do during their internships.  Other than learning about wheeled mobility and complex seating, her experiences included attending the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Clinic, observing Brooks Rehab Wheelchair Clinic, Stroke Wellness, Neuro Recovery, and Adaptive Sports programs, attending a Sunrise Medical manufacturer power mobility course, and learning about other community based services including home healthcare, home companion care, elder care programs, and home modifications.

There was so much to teach in such a short period of time, but we managed to fit it all in!

Eager to learn, Derian was able to apply, not only the basic wheeled mobility and seating concepts into occupational therapy practice , but also the medical justification for the recommended equipment.  She even read (and understood) all the Medicare LCD’s (Local Coverage Determination) to learn the coverage criteria of the equipment, which makes her a star student in itself!

Overall, both of us had a great experience!  I am hopeful she will continue her education in the area of wheeled mobility and complex seating after graduation and during her career and an OT!

Filed under: General, Industry News by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Saturday, September 8th, 2012
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Working together is key to advocacy and the success of the Separate Benefit Category for Complex Rehab Technology

NRRTS Directions Magazine, Vol 4, 2012.  Pg 40

It’s been a busy 2 years!  And we’re not done yet…..  Working with AOTA and the Clinician’s Task Force (CTF) in efforts to support the success of the Separate Benefit Category for CRT has been both a great journey and learning experience.   To provide an overview of the last 2 year’s efforts, we published an article in NRRTS Directions magazine.  You can click the icon and link above to access the full magazine and article.

Currently, we continue to work with AOTA on the Official Document, Specialized Knowledge and Skills in Complex Seating and Wheeled Mobility for Occupational Therapy Practice.  Once this paper is completed, it will be available to all AOTA members.  We will keep you posted with updates on this project as we move forward.

Cindi

Filed under: General, Industry News, Publications by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Sunday, August 19th, 2012
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AOTA wants comments from occupational therapists who work in the area of evaluating and recommending power mobility devices for patients.

Since the announcement of the Power Mobility Demonstration Project and the development of an Electronic Clinical Power Mobility Device Template document, there have been several open door forums to allow healthcare and durable medical equipment providers the opportunity to provide CMS feedback.

AOTA now wants to hear your feedback.  They have posted a web page for short updates and links for occupational therapists to access and provide feedback.

http://www.aota.org/News/AdvocacyNews/Power-Mobility-Demonstration-Project.aspx

If you are an occupational therapist who works in the area of power wheeled mobility and have comments, please provide them to:  rrpd@aota.org.

AOTA is concerned that the demonstration project could inconvenience Medicare beneficiaries, delay access to needed care, and create burdens on providers including occupational therapists who might be involved in the required evaluations. AOTA’s Reimbursement and Regulatory staff welcome comments on how this demonstration project will impact occupational therapy practitioners and the clients they serve.

Filed under: General, Industry News, Power Mobility by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
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We are pleased to announce the completion of the CRT Policy Fact Sheet, a statement which is now available on the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website.  This document was developed as a result of Motion 6, which was passed last year at the 2011 AOTA National Conference.  Tamara Kittelson-Aldred, MS, OTR/L, ATP and I are extremely proud to be a part of AOTA’s support in the Complex Rehab Technology legislation H.R. 4378.

Posted on AOTA’s website under Advocacy Highlights:

AOTA Issues Policy Statement on Complex

Rehabilitation Technology

” In concordance with a charge from AOTA’s Representative Assembly, AOTA staff and volunteer members have crafted a letter in support of important legislation that will boost occupational therapy’s role in complex rehabilitation technology (CRT).
The Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act (HR 4378) calls for improving Medicare beneficiary access to CRT, which includes high-tech devices and wheelchairs related to significant disabling conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and Parkinson’s. The legislation would create a new benefit related to CRT and separate the current durable medical benefit. Under the law, occupational therapists would have a role in applying skilled assessments of a beneficiary’s need for CRT as well as fitting the beneficiary for these devices”.

“This legislation, driven by the needs of beneficiaries and practitioners as seen in the field, will improve the quality of complex rehabilitation equipment and devices while improving beneficiary quality of life through enhanced access to occupational therapy expertise,” said Tim Nanof, AOTA’s director of Federal Affairs.

To view the Complex Rehabilitation Technology Legislative Summary (H.R.4378): http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Advocacy/Federal/Testimony/2012/CRT-Leg-Summary.aspx?FT=.pdf

To view the AOTA Policy Statement Regarding Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT): http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Advocacy/Federal/Testimony/2012/AOTA-Policy-CRT.aspx?FT=.pdf

Filed under: Assistive Technology, General, Manual Mobility, Power Mobility, Publications, Seating & Positioning by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Thursday, June 21st, 2012
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Please participate and vote for LOTTUS Designs to be awarded a $250,000 grant to build our small business.  We need your support!

WE NEED VOTES BY JUNE 30th!

Chase and LivingSocial Launch “Mission: Small Business” Grant Program.

Consumers can get involved by clicking the “Support” button at missionsmallbusiness.com and voting for their favorite registered small businesses. For each pledge of support, Chase will add five dollars to the grant pool, up to $3 million, and businesses must receive at least 250 votes to be considered for a grant.

https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/

Filed under: General by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Thursday, June 7th, 2012
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Our Funding Assistance and Grants List Just Keeps Growing!

There are more and more children, adults and seniors in need of assistance with healthcare costs, and funding of equipment and home modifications.  Being active within our community, and with multiple community-based organizations and service providers helps us keep our eyes and ears open for funding resources and foundations that can help.  Our list of funding and grant assistant resources keeps growing.   To see our most recent updates, click “Resources”, then “Products & Funding Organizations“.  Here are a few of the new additions:

“In 1995, Cerner Corporation, a global health leader, founded the First Hand Foundation. A not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, First Hand assists individual children with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted.”

“The JTTF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to better the lives of children and adults with disabilities on the First Coast by providing financial assistance, adaptive equipment, and research funding.”

“The Kimberly Kim Foundation, Inc. is a Georgia non-profit corporation dedicated to raising funds to provide assistance to families living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and to promote awareness of this disease.”

Filed under: General by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Saturday, May 26th, 2012
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Come join us at the Senior Expo!

This is an exciting event for us!  We will be displaying an accessible shower model by Renovative Bath, stylish grab bars, and other great products for home safety and fall prevention.  Joining us will be Live@Home Technologies, Stacey Pierce also an OT, ATP, to demonstrate the Simply Home wireless home safety system.  Come visit Booth # 118.

Date:

May 9 – 10, 2012

Hours:

9:00 am – 3:00 pm (both days)

Location:

Prime Osborn Convention Center
1000 Water Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

Filed under: Assistive Technology, General, Home Mods & Universal Design, Manual Mobility, Power Mobility, Seating & Positioning by Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS Monday, April 30th, 2012
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