Everything You Need To Know About Occupational Therapy….. And Then Some!
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists often get asked several questions about their profession. What is occupational therapy? Why do I need occupational therapy? Where can I receive occupational therapy services? Occupational therapists are an integral part of the health care team and the patient’s road to recovery.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a part of your rehabilitation team after having a new health condition, injury, or disability. Occupational therapists help to return to activities that are meaningful to you through the therapeutic use of occupations. Occupations include all of your everyday tasks whether it is the role of being a parent, participating in your favorite sport, or the leisure activity of baking. Occupational therapists work with the client to establish a goal to get you back to these meaningful activities through treatment approaches, technology, and adaptive equipment recommendations.
Occupational Therapy Process
- Evaluation: Occupational therapists start your visit by gathering information about the patient’s medical history, getting to know what is meaningful to the patient, and establishing goals. Occupational therapists utilize standardized assessments to record the client’s baseline at the beginning of therapy and compare these tools at the end to note the patient’s progress.
- Treatment: Occupational therapists help you reach your goals of returning to meaningful occupations through various interventions. These interventions may include strengthening to address increasing endurance, fine motor coordination and functional use of your arms, compensatory strategies for cognitive or memory concerns, education on adaptive equipment and technology to assist with participation in your meaningful activities.
- Discharge: Goals are met and you are now able to participate in your meaningful activity living your life to the fullest!
Where can I get occupational therapy services?
Occupational therapists work in a wide variety of settings including:outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and within the community. Occupational therapy is offered here at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates at the Mercy Plaza and Tipton clinics. Call Meghan to schedule your appointment today!
Mercy Medical Plaza: 319-339-3611
Tipton: 563-886-3421
Link to What is Occupational Therapy Video
Resources:
https://otpotential.com/what-is-ot#ot-vs-pt
https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy.aspx
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Manage/Presentation-Resources/Brochure/ What-Is-OT-brochure.pdf