Occupational Therapy

Aging is a process that we all go through causing the tasks we consider as normal to get increasingly difficult as time goes by.  If you see that you or your loved one is having a decline in their daily lifestyle activities, you should consult your provider to determine the best options.  One option may involve being evaluated for occupational therapy services.  Occupational therapy is a treatment option to help people to live as independently as possible.  Occupational therapists work in conjunction with other members of the health care team with people of all ages.  The patient population they work with may be compromised from illness, injury, developmental delays, or even psychological problems.  The occupational therapist will assist their patients in learning alternative skills to help them to ultimately lead the best possible independent, productive, and satisfying life.  Occupational therapists use work, self-care, and recreational activities that the individual enjoys to work toward increasing their independent function.

The Occupational Therapist provides skilled therapy interventions in the treatment of the patient illness, rehabilitative needs and preventative care.  He/she utilizes a holistic approach in the provision of ongoing assessments, problem identification and specific therapeutic interventions, teaching and training activities.  The Occupational Therapist is responsible to provide service in accordance with accepted standards of clinical practice, to facilitate problem solution, and thereby, the achievement of individualized patient goals and outcomes.

Occupational therapy can include tasks that provide assistance and training to you in performing your daily activities.  Each individual will have their own goals and different ways to go about reaching these goals.  Assistance could be given to you by an occupational therapist to increase independence in several areas.  The following are areas that can be evaluated depending upon personal needs and requirements.

                -Personal care activities.  Two examples of this are dressing and eating.  There

            are modifications that can be made to the current way you handle getting dressed

            daily, and in the way you handle your utensils when eating for instance.

            -Home skills.  These skills can be referred to as housekeeping, gardening and cooking.

           

            -Personal management skills.  Two examples of this can include balancing a checkbook

            and keeping a schedule.

-Skills that are important in driving a motor vehicle.  In this way, occupational therapy may be involved in the vision, thinking, and judgment skills needed for driving.  It also may involve finding out whether special adaptations can be installed into the vehicle itself to aid in the drivingprocess.

Occupational therapy involves many tasks that you probably do not even realize you can be helped with or that you even may have a need for.  Physical exercises, to increase good posture and joint motion as well as overall strength and flexibility will be performed.  Education will be provided related to protecting your joints and conserving your energy so that you will not tire out as easily, and to help keep your motivation to continue participation.

Once referred by your provider to receive occupational therapy an evaluation will be performed regarding your daily living needs, along with an assessment of your home and work environments if applicable.  If your occupational therapist determines anything in the assessment can be changed to benefit you, action will be implemented to do so.  After implemented, the changes will be gradually incorporated as tolerated by you so that you may continue your activities.  Occupational therapy may also assist you in the correct fitting of splints and braces if needed in your situation.  Guidance will be extended to family and caregivers that will also be involved in your care from either the occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapist assistant (OTA), so that your services can be continued to the best of their ability during the time we are not in the home.

There are many different conditions and situations in which occupational therapy can help.  Examples of this include but are not limited to the following:

            -Mental/physical impairments from birth.

            -Recovery after a work related injury to return to the workplace.

            -Sudden, serious conditions such as a stroke, heart attack, brain injury or amputation.

            -Chronic conditions such as arthritis, COPD, or MS.

            -Learning/developmental disabilities

            -Mental health or behavioral issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, eating disorders, etc.

If you or a loved one are currently facing any of these disorders, or you have noticed a decline in the way you are performing your daily activities please consult with your provider.  Occupational therapy may be the correct treatment for your current situation.

Total Home Health has a program available to provide occupational therapy services in the home for individuals once they are referred by their primary provider.  Skilled professional visits will be performed per your unique treatment plan so that you can regain independence to continue to perform your daily tasks with pride.  Remember, with Total Home Health you are not alone in your journey; our compassionate staff are here for you every step of the way!