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Occupational Therapy - Rehabilitation Services
Consumers - What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a profession that enables people of all ages to solve problems that interfere with their ability to do the things that are important to them. This can happen when their ability to function in everyday life is disrupted by physical illness or injury, developmental problems, the aging process, mental illness or emotional problems. Occupational Therapy concerns itself not only with the prevention of difficulties, but also with the development and maintenance of one's abilities to carry out the everyday tasks of life, such that one can engage in productive and satisfying living.
Using a variety of treatment and retraining techniques, an Occupational Therapist might be involved when an individual needs to:
- Learn to care for their own personal needs such as bathing
and dressing
- Learn new ways to perform their household chores, prepare
a meal or manage their finances
- Return to work or learn the steps necessary to find employment
following an illness or injury
- Order the correct wheelchair after a stroke
- Wear splints to maintain or increase movement in an injured
hand
- Develop coping skills to deal with their anxiety or fears
- Develop play skills because of spina bifida
- Select leisure activities that involve physical and social participation and maintain a balance of activities
In addition to helping an individual develop new skills, Occupational Therapists have a role in health promotion by sharing their skills and knowledge to contribute to health. An Occupational Therapist might do this by:
- Making changes to a work place to prevent injuries
- Educate communities about the importance of accessible
environments and advocate for policy change
- Consulting with individuals prior to retirement and training
in time management
- Facilitating the creation of a support group for single mothers
Occupational Therapy provides a unique and wholistic perspective. Occupational Therapists can be found in hospitals, community health centres, schools, long term care facilities, mental health facilities, industry, private practice and government, and the variety of Occupational Therapy interventions are as varied as the clients they serve.