Occupational Therapy Focuses On Helping People
Occupational therapy (OT) is an established healthcare profession that focuses on helping people participate in the everyday activities that are most important to them. This includes self-care, work and play. It differs from other healthcare professions such as physical therapy, as it uses a holistic approach to look at how a person’s daily activities are affected by an injury, illness or disability. It takes into account the client’s environment, family and social life too.
An Occupational therapy to improve daily living can help patients of any age who have been injured or have a health condition that affects their ability to perform everyday tasks. This can include people who have had a stroke, back surgery, arthritis or other chronic conditions. An OT can assist with things such as pain management, wound care and mobility training. They can also teach people how to use adapted equipment or how to make their homes safer. For example, they can show people how to set up alarms in case they lose their mobility and can’t get out of bed on their own.
Some OTs work with children. For example, they can run advocacy campaigns in schools to support health and wellness, including bullying prevention, backpack awareness and recess promotion. They can also help kids with disabilities such as autism, juvenile arthritis and severe burns. They can help with homework and school-based learning activities too.
Many OTs work in the field of elder home care. They can provide friendly companionship or help a loved one with simple tasks like washing and dressing. They can also help with errands and household chores. They can even drive the elderly person to social events or doctor appointments. OTs can also recommend and prescribe adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs or motorized scooters.
A senior’s OT can help them set realistic goals and find new ways to accomplish the things they want and need to do in their daily lives. For instance, if someone has an injury to their hand, an OT can help them re-learn how to hold a cup or cook. They can also create a splint that will protect the burn while it heals.
When choosing an OT or a COTA, always check that they have the OTR or COTA certification. This is a mark of professionalism and indicates that they have qualified for the role. Also, be sure to ask for references from friends and family. This is an excellent way to find out if they have experience working with an older adult in the same situation as you or your loved one. Lastly, be sure to choose an agency that is licensed in your state. This will ensure that they conduct a thorough background check on all their employees.