Meet Katrina Sand, OTR/L, and learn more about the CPT service she will be providing at our clinic!
Tell us about yourself and your role at D-CAN.
I am an occupational therapist who is passionate about helping individuals with dementia live their lives to their fullest potential. Occupational therapists strive to maximize safety and independence with daily activities. I am excited to join the D-CAN team (as an independent contractor), where I will provide the Cognitive Performance Test (CPT). This standardized, objective, task-based assessment is unique in that it allows clients, their care partners, and their medical providers to better understand the individual’s real-life, every day care needs so his or her independence and safety can be best supported. The CPT addresses many common concerns such as safety with medication management, safety with cooking and household management, and recommendations for level/type of care needed. To learn more about this service, go to https://dcan-mn.org/cognitive-performance-testing/
I have ten years of clinical experience with special interests in home safety, cognitive assessment, and dementia care. When I am not at D-CAN, I can often be found chasing around my young children, or driving along the back roads of rural Central Minnesota where I provides home health OT services. I lives in Albany, Minnesota with my family and enjoy reading, singing in the car, and baking (where chocolate is measured with the heart, of course!).
I have a BA in Communication Studies from Luther College in Decorah, IA, and a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN.
Is the CPT for those living with dementia or caregivers, or both?
The CPT will be completed only with the individual living with dementia, but the education, recommendations, and information we can glean from the CPT results will be impactful for both caregivers and the individual themselves for care planning purposes.
Are your services covered by the same insurance that D-CAN accepts today?
We expect the administration of the CPT to be covered by Medicare. We will be billing through all insurers currently partnering with D-CAN.
What days a week will you provide CPT services at D-CAN?
Appointments are available on Wednesdays only.
Should people call the main office and request to book an appointment with you?
Yes, individuals who are interested should call the main D-CAN office number, and they can schedule an appointment. There are a limited number of appointment slots available each day in order to allow adequate time for testing as well as for results to be reviewed and education to be provided to the individual and their caregiver(s).
Do people need a referral in order to see you?
Yes. I will be offering the CPT to existing D-CAN clients as a component of the intake and assessment process and not for the general public. Dr. Zook and the team will be referring clients to me for CPT testing as appropriate/recommended.
What do you love most about the work you do?
My interest in working with older adults began as a teenager when I volunteered on the memory care unit of a local nursing home. Years later, while completing my master’s degree to become an occupational therapist, I completed a clinical practicum in a nursing home. At the time, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but I knew I loved the work and loved the people I was working with. I left each day exhausted yet fulfilled. There is much to learn from the stories and lives of the older adults I work with, and I enjoy using my clinical skills and creativity to problem-solve issues that may be impacting their independence. I believe that people of all ages deserve to live with dignity and meaningful purpose, which is the heart of occupational therapy. I am excited to bring these skills to life in a new way through my involvement with D-CAN.