April is Occupational Therapy Month, which acknowledges occupational therapy’s integral role within the health care continuum. The information below will help you in understanding the role of occupational therapy.
Occupational therapists are trained to work with a variety of diagnoses, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, burns, spinal cord injuries, and more. They empower people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent — or live better with — injury, illness, or disability.
Occupational therapists offer a holistic perspective, meaning the focus is on adapting the environment and task to fit the patient – not the other way around. The patient is an essential part of the therapy team.
Common occupational therapy interventions include helping people recovering from injury to regain skills and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
Occupational therapy services typically include:
- A personalized assessment, during which the patient, patients’ caregiver(s) or family, and occupational therapist define the patient’s goals,
- Tailored intervention to enhance the patients’ ability to perform daily activities and achieve the predefined goals, and
- A thorough evaluation of the patient’s outcomes to guarantee that the goals are being met and make changes to the intervention plan, if necessary.
With a focus on function, occupational therapy can help keep senior adults independent and safe while lowering health care costs related to hospitalization and institutional care.
Unlike other professions, occupational therapy benefits people in all environments – home, work, the community – and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in daily life.
Intrepid USA’s highly skilled occupational therapists help individuals meet their goals and live more independently. To learn more about Intrepid USA’s in-home occupational therapy services and other home-based medical services, contact us today.
