What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a diverse rehabilitation therapy whose goal is to help people regain or improve their ability to function, from young children to older adults. Occupational Therapy (OT) is sometimes needed due to a developmental disability, a health problem, a recent injury, a physical or mental condition, or just the affects of aging. Any of these factors can affect the individual's ability to perform everyday tasks and function independently in life.

Occupational Therapists work in various settings, such as the school system working with children, rehabilitation facilities and hospitals working with people of all ages, and skilled nursing facilities working with senior citizens. The Occupational Therapist can also be an independent consultant providing education and training to business and industry for injury prevention and ergonomics; and a resource for community education on topics such as health and wellness, disability, ADA accommodations, etc.; as well as a consultant for seniors living independently at home.

Whenever there are impairments to overcome the Occupational Therapist will analyze the individual’s ‘task performance’; which is how effectively a person is able to do a given task and interact with their environment. Can the person do the task accurately and in a timely manner, use proper body mechanics, perform the task safely, etc.? And the therapist evaluates which ‘task components’ are creating problems for the person; whether it is related to a physical, perceptual or cognitive problem. Is the deficit creating a barrier to independence, and what needs to be done in order to overcome these limitations?

Depending on the person's diagnosis and type of impairment encountered, the Occupational Therapist will provide physical activities and therapeutic exercises, cognitive/mental tasks, adaptive equipment to enhance environmental access and independence, education on various health, wellness and disability issues, as well as training in various aspects of ADL self care; with the ultimate goal of enhancing function, independence and safety.

When we are young and active we find our identity in our work; whether working at a job for a paycheck or working at home raising children. As we age and no longer have this as our main identity, we acquire other life skills which help to define who we are. Over time, these skills and abilities may diminish. When we lose our independence it can quickly become a downward spiral of weakness, inactivity, and discouragement. This can quickly lead to a significant decline in physical health and well being.

Our mental health is just as vital as our physical health, when it comes to how we are able to function in life. The Occoupational Therapist may need to address the individual's 'psychosocial' frame of mind (coping skills, motivation, etc.), which can greatly impact how the person is able to function. As depression, discouragement, and difficulty coping often result when dealing with any kind of physical impairment or disability.

Occupational Therapy believes there is intrinsic value in 'doing', and it is vital that people stay physically, mentally and socially active with advancing age.

'Education' is often one of the most important components of Occupational Therapy. When someone acquires some type of disability or impairment, it can seem overwhelming and the client and family may not fully understand how it will impact the individual's independence, safety, and ability to function. The OT can be a vital resource for helping in all aspects of disability, as well as health and wellness issues.

Being able to safely navigate with a walker is sometimes an area of concern for the therapist, client and the family.

Case Study: A person who is recovering from a recent hemorrhagic stroke with limb weakness and incoordination (mild hemiplegia), will be seen by OT for rehabilitation therapy. This type of stroke is due to bleeding in the brain. The OT knows that the client had been inconsistent with taking their high blood pressure medication prior to the stroke and they tended to disregard the physicians request for reducing sodium in the diet; and both of these factors may have contributed to this type of stroke. The therapist realizes that education will be important for the client and family, in order to address the health and wellness issues presented, both past and present.

The client will be given neuromuscular exercises to help the limb improve; a support splint for the wrist and hand, which will be worn at night for joint stability; adaptive equipment for ADL self care tasks; as well as education and training on how to compensate using other strategies due to the hemiplegia. When the person is ready to return home again, the Occupational Therapist can help make the transition easier by performing a home evaluation and follow up with further education and ADL training.

To find out a little more about Occupational Therapy click on the various images below!