This is what happens when you plant a seed....

One Friday night, my husband went to his regular minyan. His friend, an occupational therapist who had recently returned from volunteering at ADI Negev, told my husband that the facility could really benefit from occupational and physical therapy volunteers. The seed was planted, and I was excited at the opportunity to volunteer my occupational therapy skills. ? 

ADI Negev is an all-encompassing rehabilitation village in Ofakim in southern Israel. The rehab village includes an emergency room; inpatient hospital; therapy units for neurology, orthopedics and geriatrics; hydrotherapy; and outpatient therapy. There are subsidized apartments for staff and their families. I stayed in an apartment for female volunteers. ?? 

The date March 2, 2020 looms large in my mind. That is the date of the last occupational therapy mental health group I led, and I have proof: The date is still written on the dry-erase board in the rehab gym.

Since March and the onset of COVID-19, so many changes have occurred at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, where I work as an OT (occupational therapist). Occupational therapists treat people who are recovering from illness or injury, focusing on ADL (activities of daily living)/IADL (instrumental activities of daily living) as well as cognition and psychological function. I mostly work on the four inpatient Brain Health units, with patients diagnosed with dementia and/or mental illness. I also cover on acute rehab, sub-acute rehab, and the “Households” (similar to assisted living) as needed.