Happy Occupational Therapy Month

For those of you who are confused about occupational therapy, I am going to sum it up for you...

• It is a healthcare rehabilitation field, often adjacent to physical therapy and speech and language pathology.

  Found in hospitals, long term acute care, short term rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient facilities, in-home

• The goal is for clients to achieve improved performance in activities that are meaningful to them.

  Such as getting dressed, making an Instagram post, driving, or walking a dog

• Meaningful activities can be physical, mental, and emotional

  Physical: step onto porch

  Mental: following a recipe

  Emotional: express dislike

• Clients can be of any age from 0-100 years old

  Occupational therapists are trained on the job or with continuing education to treat certain age groups and/or other specialties such as hand rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation is achieved by implementing exercises, strategic activities, sensory techniques, and/or adaptive equipment/technology

  Typically ,a combination of strategies are used to address many different needs

Currently, I run my own business that provides home safety assessments for clients that are discharged home and have completed rehabilitation. Recommendations and referrals for home modifications are given to clients to maximize their safety and independence. Clients include those who are struggling with aging, chronic disease, acute injuries, or other life-altering diagnoses who wish to live out their lives at home.

I'd love to know in which field of occupational therapy you work? There are so many different settings and specialities for occupational therapists. This is a HUGE reason why I LOVE IT... there is so much variety, it's never boring.

Thank you to all the OTs out there who work so hard for others to have a more fulfilling life.