April is Occupational Therapy Awareness Month

With April in full swing, let’s take a moment to consider what occupational therapists do.  An occupational therapist (OT) works with individuals across their lifespan to help them perform daily living activities that may have been lost or changed due to a disabling physical or mental condition, such as an injury or traumatic life event. They work with individuals in a variety of settings.

Did you know that an Occupational Therapist can help individuals by:¹

• Performing a comprehensive evaluation to assess specific abilities and needs
• Creating a customized treatment program to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities
• Making recommendations for adaptive equipment for an individual’s environment
• Addressing challenges from chronic conditions to help individuals perform activities that matter most to them
• Implementing therapy interventions
• Educating caregivers and family members on such conditions

Occupational therapists can improve an individual’s participation in valued activities.  OT’s can rehabilitate and assist people with stabilizing their environment and ability to live a fuller life. In regards to the elderly, an OT can work with older adults to assess in home safety and make recommendations and changes to prevent hazards such as falls.  An OT can help seniors stay independent and active within their own environment.²

For additional tips for patients and families go to:

http://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients.aspx

As far as qualifications go, OT’s have obtained a master’s degree in occupational therapy in order to treat others and are licensed in their state.³

From all of us at Live Your Life^TM, I would like to take a moment and honor those occupational therapists who are truly making a difference in the lives of the patients and clients that they treat!  We appreciate all that you do in contributing to the well-being of others.

Thank you!

Dr. Eva Norman
President & Founder
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Live Your Life^TM

References

¹ Patients & Clients. http://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients.aspx Accessed April 13, 2016.

² What Occupational Therapists Do. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Occupational-therapists.htm#tab-2 Accessed April 13, 2016.

³ Occupational Therapists. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Occupational-therapists.htm Accessed April 13, 2016.