Is Occupational Therapy right for me?

Who can benefit from Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to increase their mobility, activity, or simply can't do the things they want or need to do. The person who needs Occupational Therapy will vary depending on the case and the goals that they have for themselves. It could be an elderly family member who is facing changes in their quality of life because of aging. It could be your child, frustrated with being unable to do the seemingly simple things the other children at school can do. It could be you or your spouse coping with illness or the results of an accident.

Occupational Therapy is therapy based on performing the activities of daily life (including self-care skills, education, work, or social interaction), that is designed to enhance the patient's functionality despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental hindrances. Occupational Therapy helps people of all ages-to improve skills that help them perform day-to-day tasks at home, school, work, social situations, and in activities.

Doctors of Occupational Therapy are highly trained professionals skilled in the study of human growth and development. Along with the medical knowledge to assess a patient's condition and design a plan of care to improve their quality of life, their training places emphasis on the social, emotional, and physical effects of illness and injury. They will help you or your loved one progress with the "occupations" of living.

Occupational Therapists are unique in that they look at the whole picture when it comes to a person's treatment. They not only assess and treat the problems a patient may be having, but they look at the individual's abilities, the task(s) needing assistance in performing, and the place where the tasks will be taking place. On your medical team, a surgeon, for example, will operate on your injured shoulder. An Occupational Therapist will design a plan of care based on answers to questions like, "What do you need your shoulder to do? What activities do you want to do (walk, drive, move around at work, etc.)? How can we overcome obstacles to that shoulder through Occupational Therapy?" They then determine the right treatment for keeping you mobile while increasing your quality of life and getting you back to activities you enjoy.