Process for referrals
Service Coordinators
- Services for Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers: Contact your Service Coordinator regarding your DD Waiver
- Service Coordinator will complete the intake packet and email to Making Strides
- Service Coordinator goes into WAMS and launches a blank Service Authorization (SA).
- Service Coordinator contacts Making Strides to alert them that there is a SA open.
Phone Number (804) 223-0009
Email: Referrals@BVC-MS.com
- SA is completed by therapist and sent back to Service Coordinator with request for hours needed & required documents (treatment plan).
- Service Coordinator reviews the SA and sends for approval.
- Approval is seen in WAMS and services are initiated.
Some of Our Services
environmentAL MODIFICATION - limits up to $5,000.00 annually
Environmental modifications are physical adaptations to the individual's primary home or primary vehicle that are necessary to ensure the health and welfare of the individual, or that enable the individual to function with greater independence. Such adaptations may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the installation of ramps and grab-bars, widening of doorways, modification of bathroom facilities, or installation of specialized electric and plumbing systems that are necessary to accommodate the medical equipment and supplies that are necessary for the individual. Modifications may be made to a primary automotive vehicle in which the individual is transported if it is owned by the individual, a family member with whom the individual lives or has consistent and ongoing contact, or a non-relative who provides primary long-term support to the individual and is not a paid provider of services.
OUR ROLE: We provide the modification recommendations and the Letter of Medical Necessity which is then submitted to the Service Coordinator. Installation of modifications are completed by contractors under agreement with the county.
Request these services though our Physical and/or Occupational therapy services as described above under "process for referrals".
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wheelchair seating and fitting
Support Sensory Needs to address sensory dysfunction
Support Sensory Needs to address sensory dysfunction
Through Therapeutic Consultative services, our therapists can provide consultation on correct wheelchair positioning to family and caregivers. A wheelchair that does not fit properly may lead to pressure ulcers, poor posture, reduced balance, difficulty propelling the wheelchair, and difficulty with transfers.
In addition to properly fitting the wheelchair, it is necessary to educate the patient and their family members or caregivers on proper pressure relief techniques and a pressure relief schedule.
- Anterior, posterior, and lateral weight shifts
- Position changes
- Skin assessment of areas that are typically at risk for pressure
ulcers from wheelchair use.
Our providers can provide a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) for wheelchairs.
QUIZZ - Wheelchair Seating and Fitting Basics
1. Seat height is the distance from the floor to the seat of the wheelchair. It is determined by measuring the distance from the patient’s heel to their popliteal fold and adding two inches.
2. Seat depth is the distance from the front of the seat to the back of the seat. It is determined by measuring the distance from the patient’s posterior buttock to the popliteal fold and subtracting two inches.
3. Seat width is the distance from one side of the seat to the other. It is determined by measuring the widest part of the patient’s hips and adding two inches.
4. Back height is the distance from the top of the back portion of the seat to the bottom. It is determined by measuring the distance between the seat of the chair to the patient’s axilla, and subtracting four inches.
5. Armrest height is the distance between the seat and the top of the armrest. It is determined by measuring the distance between the seat of the chair and olecranon, and adding one inch.
IF THE WHEELCHAIR YOU HAVE DOES NOT FIT THIS CRITERIA YOU MAY NEED US ASSIST WITH WHEELCHAIR FITTING!
Support Sensory Needs to address sensory dysfunction
Support Sensory Needs to address sensory dysfunction
Support Sensory Needs to address sensory dysfunction
Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) or, as it is often called, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), is a neurological disorder that results from the brain’s inability to integrate certain information received from the body’s sensory systems. The individual reacts in an extreme way to normal things that he or she experiences.
Our Physical and Occupational Therapists are trained in Sensory Processing (SP). SP varies between individuals in both characteristics and intensity: children may be born hypersensitive (over-responsive to stimuli), or hyposensitive (under-responsive to stimuli) – which may result in avoidance of an activity. Individuals can have trouble in one sensory modality, a few, or all of them. Some people are so mildly affected that the disorder is barely noticeable, while others are so impaired they have trouble with daily functioning.
Common Issues – that may indicate disturbances in processing related to the seven sensory systems:
Tactile: the sense of touch. Sensitive to clothing textures and clothes labels. Dislikes hair brushed or washed. Reacts badly to being touched unexpectedly. Unusually sensitive to being too hot or cold.
Visual: the sense of sight. Overwhelmed in a visually ‘busy’ environment. Focuses on little details in a picture and misses the whole. Loses his/her place frequently when copying from the blackboard.
Auditory: the listening sense. Low tolerance of noise generally, says that noise ‘hurts ears’ or gives him/her a headache. Or, seems not to register sound. Fails to respond to hearing name called.
Oral: the sense of taste & texture. Fussy or picky eater with determined food preferences and limited range. May lick, taste or chew on inedible objects. Dislikes toothpaste and brushing teeth.
Olfactory: the sense of smell. Disturbed by cooking, bathroom or perfume smells. Or, may not notice unpleasant, noxious odors or be able to distinguish smells/fragrance.
Vestibular: the sense of movement. Avoids playground apparatus and equipment. Fearful of heights. Or, may crave movement experience, especially fast or spinning. Thrill seeker.
Proprioception: the sense of body position. Difficulty understanding where their body is in relation to other objects and may appear clumsy and bump into things. Misjudges the weight of an object.
In addition, there are many general behaviors and traits that are associated with SID, eg. agitation, frustration, aggression, low self esteem, difficulty unwinding or sleeping and appearing out-of-sync with self or others and the environment.
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Fall prevention
home assessments
home assessments
What Can Happen After a Fall?
Many falls do not cause injuries. But one out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own.
- Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
- Falls
What Can Happen After a Fall?
Many falls do not cause injuries. But one out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own.
- Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
- Falls can cause head injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners). An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury.
- Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.
What Conditions Make You More Likely to Fall?
Research has identified many conditions that contribute to falling. These are called risk factors. Many risk factors can be changed or modified to help prevent falls. They include:
- Lower body weakness
- Vitamin D deficiency (that is, not enough vitamin D in your system)
- Difficulties with walking and balance
- Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet.
- Vision problems
- Foot pain or poor footwear
- Home hazards or dangers such as
- broken or uneven steps, and
- throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over.
Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the greater their chances of falling.
Healthcare providers can help cut down a person’s risk by reducing the fall risk factors listed above.
home assessments
home assessments
home assessments
Full Home Safety Assessment With an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapy (Medical Evaluation & Report)
We focus on the client’s medical concerns and needed home modifications and also include recommendations for:
- Custom exercises and breathing techniques to improve muscle tone, coordination and endurance
- Discussions on the best ergo
Full Home Safety Assessment With an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapy (Medical Evaluation & Report)
We focus on the client’s medical concerns and needed home modifications and also include recommendations for:
- Custom exercises and breathing techniques to improve muscle tone, coordination and endurance
- Discussions on the best ergonomic body mechanics based on conditions
- Safety with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s)
- Cognitive status and sensory awareness
- Advanced medical equipment referrals and training
This occupational / physical therapy safety assessment includes a detailed report that outlines immediate, intermediate, and long-term recommendations and referrals to achieve the highest level of safety and independence possible.
The report is especially valuable if you are considering or already planning in-depth home modification on specific areas around the home. This can be presented to your service coordinator and referred to during the planning phases to ensure your home fits your exact needs while preventing any future falls or injuries from happening!