We just wrapped up our first session of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and it was a smashing success! We were blown away by the results! All of our participants made significant improvements on their cognitive evaluations. But, more importantly, they also reported how much they enjoyed the group, and how it improved their moods and relationships! 👏🏼👏🏼 The BIGGEST compliment! If you have anyone in your life (and the Henderson/Las Vegas area 😉) with mild to moderate dementia, please consider this program as part of their treatment. Our next groups start in May.

C’mon, insurance reimbursement!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

I recently sat down with Kat McAfee of @current__ritual to discuss the role of Occupational Therapy in supporting positive end of life experiences and dying with dignity. Kat is an occupational therapist based out of Colorado who uses mindfulness and meditation to promote holistic wellness through the mind-body connection. Check out currentritual.com for the full interview, and Kay’s daily mindfulness exercises. Link in my bio for the YouTube sneak peak 🙃

Have you or a loved one ever gotten injured from a fall? In 2019, I fell down our stairs and broke my leg 😖 I got to spend 3 months off my leg, taking care of two small children 😬😬 Falls can happen to anyone, but they can be particularly detrimental to older adults. Did you know…??? 1 in 4 adults experience a fall every year— that’s over 36 million falls per year! Treatment of injuries from non-fatal falls in adults over 65 account for $50 BILLION in medical costs!! Beyond the financial costs, falls also cause… … increase fear of falls … decreased physical activity … increased weakness … social isolation … increased anxiety and depression We can help prevent falls by 1. Maintaining strength, balance, and independence 2. Adapting and modifying home and personal environments to limit fall hazards

We are thrilled to announce that, as of today, we are officially credentialed with Medicare Part B, and ready to start treating patients in the Henderson, NV, area!! 🎉👏🏼🎉👏🏼 If you or someone you love is in need of assistance to stay safe and functional in your home, please reach out to us via DM or 📞 at (702) 899-7495. We look forward to serving our community!

I'm so excited about this! 🥳 I'm officially a Certified Dementia Practitioner!! Woooo!! I'm really so excited to add this certification to my skillset 🤗 Dementia is such a common diagnosis among older adults and people nearing end of life. I've experienced the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia both personally and professionally, and I know that it is TOUGH! The day to day logistical challenges of managing a loved one with dementia can be difficult on their own, and then you add on the emotional struggles of watching someone so dear to you deteriorate, as well as the physical demands of caregiving-- it is A LOT! I truly believe that my mission to enhance quality of life for people towards the end of life works hand-in-hand with the needs of people with dementia and their families. Whether it's early in the onset of the dementia symptoms, and the goal is to maximize engagement to preserve cognitive functioning, or a little bit further down the line when family goals may shift more towards safety and keeping the loved one at home as long as possible, occupational therapy has a lot to offer people with dementia and their caregivers. Comment below if you’ve ever experienced the challenges of supporting a loved one with dementia. You are not alone! #certifieddementiapractitioner #dementia #alzheimers #dementiacare #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #AOTAinspire2021 #otrl #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #cota #homesafety #aginginplace #independence #qualityoflife #dementiacaregiver

Desert Rose Therapy is as a mobile outpatient therapy clinic 🚐This is NOT the same as home health therapy! I am offering outpatient level OT services, but instead of coming to the clinic-- I come to you! You do not have to be home-bound to receive therapy through this model. The Mobile Clinic Model is particularly relevant from an occupational therapy perspective. Can you figure out why?? 😉🏠😉 I've been talking a lot about the environment recently, and that's because the environment is key in how we all perform our daily activities. With a mobile clinic, I'm able to meet my clients in their "natural environment", so to speak, increasing the relevancy and efficacy of both assessment and treatment interventions. And by practicing in their own spaces, clients are able to achieve success more efficiently because they are practicing and mastering skills in the spaces where their lives actually occur. It's a total win-win! 🏆🏆 #mobiletherapyclinic #mobiletherapy #privatepractice #outpatient #aginginplaxe #aprilisOTmonth #OTmonth #happyOTmonth #AOTAinspire2021 #occupationaltherapy #ccupationaltherapist #otrl #cota #endoflife #endoflifeOT #independence #qualityoflife

Occupational Therapy can support goals for Aging In Place by targeting aspects of the person, environment, and activity itself to reduce barriers and achieve success and independence. Enhancing personal capacities: 😊OTs can support Aging In Place by addressing functional deficits inherent to the person, including (but definitely not limited to) strength, endurance, balance, motor coordination, range of motion, and cognitive capacities. Modifying the environment: 🏠OTs can modify environments to reduce barriers to occupational performance and improve safety at home. This can include removing throw rugs to reduce risk of falls; elevating cat boxes to increase independence and limiting bending; improving lighting or using contrasting colors to improve visibility; adding grab bars in a bathroom to increase safety. 🏠OTs can consult with clients and contractors on home renovations to maximize safety and independence as clients age. Adapting activity demands: 🤹🏼OTs can adapt activities to better suit the capacities of clients. The possibilities are literally infinite here, and will be specific to the individual's strengths and weaknesses! Incorporating assistive devices: 🦾 OTs can recommend assistive devices and adaptive technology to help bridge the gap between individual capacities and activity demands to promote success. This may include using a reacher or dressing stick to help with lower body dressing or incorporating specialized utensils to help with cooking and feeding after an illness or injury. Can you think of any time you’ve modified an activity or rearranged spaces to make it easier to get stuff done?? You might have some OT blood in you 😉😉 #aginginplace #occupationaltherapy #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #AOTAinspire2021 #OTmonth #homemodification #adaptiveequipment #assistivedevice #independence #function #endoflife #dyingwithdignity

The concept of Aging In Place is always difficult for me to articulate (probably unnecessarily so 😉). I feel like the whole concept is really embedded in the term: Aging In Place. You age and grow old in your own spaces. 🏠 And maybe it is that simple, but it's also a lot more complex. In a society where people frequently live well into their 80's and 90's, managing the daily needs and care of our aging parents, loved ones, and even ourselves, is a very real issue. For many decades, assisted living facilities and nursing homes have helped fill the need for housing and care of this population. But... at what cost?? Loss of freedom, independence, quality of life, autonomy, sense of self worth and dignity... The philosophy behind Aging In Place is that by empowering people to stay in their homes throughout the lifespan, as they age, then we can minimize or eliminate these negative side effects of aging, and maintain those personal feelings of freedom, autonomy, self worth, and dignity. Because we're most comfortable in our own homes, and associate a lot of our personal identity in our home spaces, maintaining that connection to our "natural environments" (so to speak 😉) is extremely meaningful throughout the lifespan, and until the end of life. #occupationaltherapy #happyOTmonth #aprilisOTmonth #AOTAinspire2021 #otr #cota #aginginplace #endoflifeOT #independence #qualityoflifematters #qualityoflife

Towards end of life, many people spend more time sleeping per day, yet, truly restful sleep may remain elusive. Metabolic changes in the body contribute to an increased need for sleep. However, an abundance of physiological symptoms-- pain, anxiety, delirium, medications, and more-- and bad behaviors like daytime napping and smoking or drinking alcohol 😉 can contribute to insomnia and difficulty sleeping. Restful sleep is associated with improved cognitive functioning, increased mood stability, increased energy, improved physiological functioning, enhanced quality of life, and overall better health. Occupational therapists can help establish good sleep routines and sleep environments to maximize quality sleep for clients at end of life, and subsequently improve daily functioning. 💤OTs can modify daily activities and routines to encourage engagement in activity throughout the day, recommend changes in behaviors that negatively impact sleep, decrease daytime napping, and support more restful sleep during the night. 💤OTs can make recommendations surrounding daily and evening routines, and modify the sleep environment to help clients' minds and bodies get ready for sleep, and promote more restful sleep. 💤OTs can make recommendations on positioning to increase individual comfort, decrease negative symptoms like shortness of breath, and encourage restful sleep. 💤Helping clients achieve restful sleep also allows caregivers to rest more easily, reducing the burden of care and the stress of caregiving. Do you have any special routines or tricks that help YOU get a good night sleep?? 😴 #happyotmonth #sleep #aprilisOTmonth #qualityoflifematters #occupationaltherapy #otr #cota #endoflife #otmonth #aginginplace #inspireOT2021 #aotainspire2021

The meaning of work and leisure, two areas of occupation, may shift for many people at end of life. Towards end of life, people may not be engaging in work and leisure as active participants like they once did, but may shift towards being observers, teachers, or mentors. It may be important for an individual to pass along a trade, a cultural practice, or a traditional family recipe before they pass away . I think of indigenous languages that only a limited number of elders still speak, or the family ravioli recipe that’s been passed through my husband’s family for generations. Occupational therapists may help facilitate opportunities to transfer these skills or knowledge across generations, modifying and adapting as necessary, and helping to create a legacy for the dying individual in the process. Making space for these shared experiences is a great way to bond & create memories with a loved one before they pass away, and also offer a chance to learn something to carry with you after they’re gone. These experiences can also ease the grieving process by maximizing the time spent together while the loved one was still alive ♥️ If you have cherished memories of loved ones at end of life, I’d love to hear them in the comments below 🥰 #happyotmonth #otmonth #qualityoflifematters #aprilisOTmonth #AOTAinspire2021 #occupationaltherapy #otr #cota #endoflife #memorymaking #culturaltraditions #work #leisure #endoflifeOT

Social participation is important for promoting quality of life, a sense of community, contributes to feelings of happiness and well being, and is actually associated with better health outcomes overall. Given the last year of isolation with the COVID pandemic, I think we can all appreciate how changes in social participation impact our well being! 🤪 A recent study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine (Amjad, et al, 2019) found the following symptoms were most common in limiting social participation at end of life: ⭐️ low energy ⭐️ pain ⭐️ lower extremity weakness ⭐️ poor balance ⭐️ problems with speech Additionally, people with dementia experienced these symptoms and social isolation at higher rates than people without dementia. And let’s not forget that caregivers also experience social isolation as a result of demands of caregiving! Early participation with palliative care, and engagement with occupational therapy towards end of life, can help maintain social participation, thereby increasing quality of life, and promoting higher levels of cognitive, physical, and occupational performance at the end of life 😱 Occupational therapy can establish creative solutions to facilitating social participation, for clients and caregivers alike. Whether it’s an issue of mobility and physical access to a social engagement— there’s OT for that 😉 Or if it’s an issue of physical or cognitive limitations creating a barrier to participation— there’s an OT adaptation for that 😉😉 Or perhaps it’s assisting family members to find meaningful ways to connect with a loved one with declining function— OT is there 😉😉😉 Or maybe it’s identifying a meaningful activity to promote overall functioning— yup, OT is there for you then also! 🙃 Comment below if you ever experienced social isolation with a loved one at end of life 👇🏼👇🏼 and we can chat about how it could’ve been better.

Two of the main areas of occupation that OTs can impact in end of life care are ADLs and IADLs. ✏️ Pop quiz: Who remembers what ADLs & IADLs are from last week? 😆 ADLs = Activities of Daily Living = essential self care activities ✔️ OTs use adaptions and modifications to increase participation & independence in basic self care tasks ✔️ Modifications in the home environment can increase safety in self care tasks and reduce risk of falling and secondary injury ✔️ Continued participation in self care promotes feelings of self worth, competence, contributes to quality of life, and reduces burden on caregivers ✔️ Engagement in simple daily tasks promotes cognitive engagement, physical strengthening strengthening, fine & gross motor skills IADLs = Instrumental Activities of Daily Living = chores and errands type stuff 😉 ✔️ Includes more complicated tasks such as meal planning & prep, laundry, or medication management ✔️ Developing strategies and routines for IADLs can increase safety through familiarity, increase participation from clients, help distribute burden of care across caregivers ✔️ Assigning a caregiver to be in charge of medication management can ensure compliance with medications, reduce errors in medication administration, enhance client functioning, and reduce risk of falls and injury ✔️ Participation in preferred IADLs, such as cooking, can increase feelings of self worth, competency, and quality of life, while also providing opportunities for cognitive engagement, physical strengthening, and other underlying functional skills #occupationaltherapy #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #inspireOT2021 #otrl #cota #iadls #adls #caregivers #endoflife #qualityoflife #independence #function

Because occupational therapy is frequently associated with rehabilitation, I often get questions about the role of OT in end of life care. But, when you consider the scope of occupational therapy as a holistic practice supporting performance and participation in daily activities and life roles, it’s easy to see the connection. When I talk to my patients about what matters most to them at end of life, they often say things like: 💬 “I don’t want to be a burden on my family.” 💬 “I just want to be in my own home and sleep in my own bed and eat my own food.” 💬 “I want to be able to see my grandson graduate from college.” 💬 “I just want to go home and enjoy my simple little life while I still have it” It’s not heroics or elaborate “bucket list” experiences (necessarily 🙃) that they’re seeking. It’s the simple comforts of home and to participate in their life routines with the people they love. With our expertise in performance and participation in daily activity and life roles, OTs are ideal for supporting clients and their families in navigating the physical, emotional, cognitive, and functional changes that occur towards the end of life. ➡️ OTs can use our expertise in daily activity to support independence in self care routines, supporting dignity and quality of life for the client, while reducing caregiver burden on the family. ➡️ Or we may use our knowledge to train family members on safe handling techniques, reducing risk of injury to both the client and their family caregivers, and decreasing pain and discomfort for the client. ➡️ OTs may consider ways in which the environment can be modified to prevent falls and decrease demands on energy to help clients safely navigate around the house. Because OTs are creative problem solvers and believe in training the whole person in the context of their own social and physical environments, I argue that OTs are actually the perfect discipline to help guide clients and their families towards a safe, functional, and meaningful end of life experience. #occupationaltherapy #endoflife #hospice #hospiceOT #palliativecare #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #OTmonth #OTmonth2021 #otr #cota #qualityoflifematters

Hey y’all, I’m gonna take a few minutes today to introduce myself. My name is Lori. I’m an occupational therapist, wife, and #boymom based out of the Las Vegas Valley in Southern Nevada. I’ve been an OT for about 6.5 years, working primarily in an acute care hospital setting, with an emphasis on OT in the ICU. 🏥 However, this year I’m taking a HUGE professional leap and starting my own private practice focusing on promoting a positive end of life experience through maintaining independence, maximizing quality of life, and dying with dignity. In my years in the ICU, I’ve had the unique opportunity to work with hundreds of critically ill patients, often teetering on the cusp of life and death. There’s an incredible variety of medical interventions available to help extended life for critically ill patients, but these often come at the expense of personal agency, independence, quality of life, and dignity. My ICU experiences, combined with experiences of friends and family at end of life, have made me passionate about empowering patients and their families to prioritize quality of life at the end of life. With Desert Rose Therapy Services, I aspire to give individuals and their families the education, training, and supportive therapy they need to keep their loved ones at home and engaging in the normal daily lives as much as possible at the end of life, so that dying may be a more positive and peaceful experience for all involved. Over the next couple weeks, I’ll be talking more about the role of OT at end of life and why it matters. I hope you’ll stick with me cuz this is the good stuff 😉 Comment below if you have any questions about OT at end of life that you’d like me to address. Or if you have a positive/negative experience at end of life that you’d like to share ♥️ #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #OTmonth #inspireOT #occupationaltherapy #otrl #cota #endoflife #qualityoflife #dyingwithdignity #independence #hospiceot #hospice #palliativecare

I’ve been a runner for most of my adult life. I’ve run thousands of miles (including 400mi while pregnant with my first son 💪🏼), completed several half marathons, and can run a 7-minute mile* 🏆 (*results not typical 😆) Recently, I went for a run while visiting Park City, UT. 🏔 I was unfamiliar with the area, so I picked a route off the map that I hoped would be scenic, well maintained, and clear of snow and ice. When I got there, the path was beautiful and well maintained— but covered in snow!! 😳 Having never run on snow before, I had to slow my pace to prevent myself from slipping. ❄️ Not to mention, the higher altitude affected my breathing and endurance, and the colder temperatures made it more difficult for my muscles to warm up and get in the groove. It was a beautiful run, but the environment definitely made it tricky!! The effects of the altitude, temperature, and the slippery terrain in the environment negatively impacted my occupational performance while running. Similarly, environments may negatively impact people’s ability to perform their occupations at their best capabilities. Occupational therapists routinely modify environments to facilitate both occupational participation AND enhance occupational performance. Environmental modifications may be adding grab bars in a shower or toilet to increase safety and independence; changing lighting or using contrasting colors to improve visibility; or adding ramps to allow access for people with mobility difference. Can you think of any environmental modifications you’ve seen that help make it easier for some people to function? #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #OTmonth2021 #occupationaltherapy #otrl #cota #environment #environmentalmodification #occupationalperformance #participation #running

Occupational therapy interventions may occur in any number of settings, with people of all ages. And the influence of the environment on occupations is important! Here’s an incomplete list of settings where OTs may practice: NICU Pediatrics Schools Community Programs Hospitals In Patient Rehab Out Patient Rehab Skilled Nursing Facilities Homes Mental Health Specialty/Niche I’ve spent the majority of my career working in the acute care hospital setting, with my primary unit being ICU. Acute care offers a very narrow scope for applying the skills of an OT, largely because our patients are so sick, and the environment is so controlled. But, I’ve learned to appreciate the importance of helping people literally stand on their feet for the first time after an serious illness. With Desert Rose Therapy Services, I’m transitioning my career to private practice, focusing my niche on promoting a positive end of life experience for clients and their families through empowering them to maintain independence, maximize quality of life, and die with dignity. What types of settings or niches do you associate with OT?? #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #OTmonth2021 #OTmonth #otrl #cota #aginginplace #dyingwithdignity #endoflifeOT #environment #icu #practicesettings #qualityoflife

There are two aspects of occupation that OTs often talk about: performance and participation. I’ll admit, it took me a while to wrap my brain around this concept when I was a wee OT student. However, understanding that these are two separate, but complimentary, concepts will help you understand more specifically what OTs are saying when we talk about occupation. It’s the reason why you may let me join in your basketball/tennis/softball/hockey game, but you probably wouldn’t pick me for your team 😆 PERFORMANCE reflects a person’s ability to perform an activity. We often talk about performance in terms of assist levels, like max assist (low performance) versus modified independence (high performance). OTs may target a number of underlying skills to support a person’s occupational performance, including strength, coordination, cognition, sensory processing, and more. We may also use adaptive equipment and modifications to increase performance. PARTICIPATION reflects a person’s involvement in a situation or activity. When I think of participation, it always brings up images of children on the autism spectrum and social participation. While this is absolutely relevant occupational participation, it’s not limited to that. Participation is ultimately about access. Participation applies to any activity, regardless of the individual performance level— Whether the person is a master, a novice, or participating with considerable adaptations. OTs often act to mitigate barriers to participation in the external or social environment, or even within the individual him or herself. #occupationaltherapy #happyOTmonth #aprilisOTmonth #OTmonth #performance #participation #occupationalperformance #occupationalparticipation #otrl #cota #occupationaltherapist #activity #access #independence #theendoflifeOT

Occupation therapy is based on “occupation”, those meaningful activities that occupy your time. When OTs nerd out 🤓 on occupation, we break them down into 8️⃣ distinct Areas of Occupation. 🤓 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the essential self-care activities that most of us perform on a daily basis without much difficulty. Think: brushing your teeth 🪥getting dressed👗 or using the toilet 🚽 🤓 Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are more complex activities for caring for yourself and others. I tend to think of this category as “Chores & Errands” — anything from planning and preparing a meal or cleaning the house, to doing the shopping or managing household finances 💵 🤓 Education includes all activities for learning, whether formal or informal. Generally, we think of “education” as being part of childhood, but it can also include college or vocational school, professional development training, or learning a new skill in retirement. 🤓 Work... well, this is pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? 🙃 The misnomer of our profession, the “occupation” that we all know and love— our professions, our careers, but not just the paid work— It also includes unpaid work like volunteering. 🤓 Play, another one that seems pretty obvious, right? I agree. Play includes any activities that are done for enjoyment, and play is the primary occupation of childhood! (I’ve always loved that 🤗) 🤓 Leisure is possibly the most vague of the areas of occupation. It refers to any activity that is “intrinsically motivated” and “nonobligatory” 🧐 This can include anything from your typical hobbies and leisure activities to sex and intimacy. 🤓 Social Participation includes any interactions with your family, friends, and community. After a year of pandemic isolation, I probably don’t have to list examples of social interactions. 🤓 Rest & Sleep—perhaps my favorite of the area of occupation... 😴💤 this includes anything you do to recharge. Believe it or not, there’s actually quite a bit OTs can do to help improve clients’ sleep routines! What’s your favorite area of occupation? Which one occupies the most of your time??

Wow!! So powerful to read this article from the @nytimes about dying with dignity and patient rights to die. I’ve gotten so absorbed in starting this end of life therapy business, and sometimes I forget that not everyone spends their time thinking about this. As much as I believe in my mission, I still wonder if this is something people want or are seeking, but THEN... “The most common reason for pursuing medical aid in dying were the loss of autonomy, impaired quality of life, and loss of dignity.” THIS is precisely what I aim to improve. #endoflife #dyingwithdignity #endoflifeOT #independence #qualityoflife #occupationaltherapy #mobilepractice #privatepractice

Did you know: OT's worked throughout the pandemic in a variety of health care settings, helping to mobilize patients, increase endurance, and maximize independence during and following COVID infections. I spent my pandemic year working in the hospital with critically ill patients with COVID. 😷 My treatment sessions were designed to facilitate participation in daily activities to promote lung function, counteract delirium, and increase strength and endurance. Many of my patients were so weak from COVID that they could barely tolerate sitting on the edge of the bed for one minute! 😱 There's a fine line between maximizing critically ill person's participation in daily activity, and overloading their systems-- especially for patients with COVID. 🦠 It was an emotionally, mentally, and physically draining year for all of us in healthcare. I'm proud of the work me and my critical care teams did during this period, but I'm happy to be looking forward to COVID-free days for all of us! 😊 As of today, COVID vaccines are now available for all people over age 16 in Southern Nevada. Schedule your appointment ASAP! 💉 What do you look most forward to doing again as we emerge from COVID isolation?

“I don’t need occupational therapy— I’m retired!” This is the quintessential “dad joke” of occupational therapy 😆 And it’s easy to see why! The truth is— I don’t care if you have a job or not. I care about what you DO with your life!! Occupational therapy is a flexible, creative therapeutic disciple that focuses on helping clients make the most of their lives by participating in daily activities and life roles to the best of their abilities. OT is based on “occupation”, or the meaningful activities that occupy your time. Whether it’s simple self care activity like getting dressed or making a meal, or something more complex like managing the care of an aging loved one at home, or completing those “bucket list” experiences—there’s occupational therapy for that! 😉 Comment below one of YOUR favorite occupations! I'll go first: going to restaurants alone! 😆😆 But "alone time" is a luxury when you're also a parent to small children 😉 #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #aprilisOTmonth #happyOTmonth #otr #cota #endoflife #endoflifeot

Happy OT Month to all my fellow OTs & COTAs!! Throughout the month, I’ll be posting information about this lesser-known therapy disciple, and how I’m using my expertise as an OT to build my own practice to serve older adults across the Henderson & Las Vegas Valley. Stay tuned for updates and let me know if you have any questions about this awesome, yet mysterious, occupation! 😉 #occuptionaltherapy #happyOTmonth #occupationaltherapymonth #occupationaltherapist #otrl #cota

Got that business license!!! 🎉🎉 Officially Desert Rose Therapy Services, LLC!!! Working on more of the behind-the-scenes business stuff that’s all completely new to me 🤪 Business plans?? Mission statements?? Financial plans?? With my post-nap sidekick, of course 🙃

Trying to figure out how to eke 10-15hr/wk out of my busy, working mom schedule to make this idea come to life ✨ Is this rocket science?!?! 😱🥴🤞🏼

My grandfather was a real Mr Christmas. Every Christmas, we’d all go to Phoenix to be with my grandparents, and wake up Christmas morning to a mountain of gifts and a whirlwind of opening with the whole gang. Last Christmas, we lost my grandfather to lung cancer just a few days after celebrating a somber, final Christmas together. We’ve been holding out hope to have some sort of Christmas this year, for the sake of my sweet grandmother who’s been grieving in isolation all year. But COVID has derailed our hopes and we’ll be spending Christmas apart this year for the first time. My patients in the hospital will also be spending Christmas alone, due to COVID and visitor restrictions. However, with a little (or a lot!) help from my friends and social network, I was able to organize a holiday card drive to spread some holiday cheer to my lonely patients. All in, I collected over 1100 cards— many handmade— to deliver to patients in 10 different facilities around town (and one in TX😉) Thank you to everyone who contributed to my holiday card drive!! I know in my heart it was the spirit of my grandfather that pushed me to do this ♥️

Ready to move forward towards a brighter, more unified future. Thank you, America 🇺🇸

Hi 👋🏻 I’m Lori. For the last 6 years, I’ve worked as a therapist in the ICU, an environment that naturally exists on the cusp of life and death. In this time, I’ve come to treasure the privilege of working with critically ill patients and helping them to regain their strength and independence from their lowest days. I’ve also developed a passion for empowering people to have personal agency over their ends of life, and dying with dignity and grace. Now, I’m taking a professional leap to support individuals and families in maximizing independence, participation in life, and personal agency in death to maintain the highest quality of life in our final days. I believe that creating a “good death” is one of the deepest, most authentic gifts of love we can give. I’m just beginning this journey, and invite you to learn with me as I embark on this new phase. I look forward to growing as a professional, as an individual, and in making meaningful connections with families leaning into the final stage of life with those they love. Here’s to taking risks and making every moment count!