Knowledge Check #19

        In today's class, one topic I learned about was health literacy and how it applies to occupational therapy and our clients' lives. I have never really thought about the fact that everyone may read on different levels of skill and expertise. Therefore, we must take that into account with every client we come into contact with (no matter what their age may be). A client could even appear to understand what I am talking about when, in reality, they are not retaining any information I am giving them. This is why it is so important to ask my client is he or she understands why we are doing therapy and if he or she has any questions. Working with our clients is a partnership, and our time spent with them should be viewed as that.
         Secondly, I learned about the determinants of health and how our health is not only based off our biological and physical factors but it also is related to our social environment, physical environment, and the health services we receive.
         Thirdly, we learned about occupational alienation and how someone can experience feelings of having no purpose or meaning in their life simply because their place in society does not allow them to engage in occupations that are meaningful to them. For example, a person who is homeless may not have the income to participate in social activities that they truly enjoy, such as going to the movies or a concert.