Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Opposite Hand Activity

Have patients do an activity withe their opposite (non-dominant) hand.  For example, they could write a paragraph about themselves, draw a picture of their family, color a picture, etc.

After everyone has finished, process this activity with the patients.  What made it so difficult?  Explain that research says that this is an ideal way to force your brain to adapt and build new neural pathways.

Talk about how if we want to change, we must do things differently.  Ask patients to identify specific things they need to do in their lives after discharge.  How will they do this?  Help patients establish goals and plans to be successful after discharge.

Do the activity again (or even several more times), with the non-dominant hand.  Talk about how with time, even things that are very difficult at first become easier.  Ask patients to share examples of this from their own lives.

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