April is National Occupational Therapy Month, a good time to understand the Occupational Therapist’s role in rehabilitation, and how Occupational Therapy can contribute to a full recovery after a life-changing illness, surgery or injury.
Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy
When we hear that someone we know has gone to a rehabilitation center for rehabilitation, usually we think of the Physical Therapy component of the discipline, which involves exercising and manipulating the body to improve muscle or joint function to allow the patient to resume a normal life. Physical therapy includes treatments that will help patients navigate the more physical aspects of daily living, such as walking, climbing stairs and maintaining balance. Occupational Therapy, however, is often part of the rehabilitation routine, focusing on enhancing the patient’s ability to perform the smaller but as important activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming/bathing, toileting, transferring and eating, as well as preparing meals, using electronics, and shopping.
In a rehabilitation center, the Occupational Therapist is part of the interdisciplinary care team, providing necessary treatment to get our patients on the road to recovery and back home. We provide client-centered care to our patients, with the ultimate goal of optimizing their level of independent living and quality of life. We assess both the physical needs of our patients and also determine if there are any environmental hazards in their homes that might interfere with a safe return. Working as a team, we partner with our patients to determine and prioritize goals, and then set a plan to achieve them.
Adaptive techniques and assistive devices may be suggested in order to compensate for impairments. Adaptive techniques might include memory games to improve recognition and recall. Other techniques help people use their strengths to compensate for impairments, such as learning to use a non-dominant hand to button buttons, tie shoes and eat after a paralyzing stroke. Occupational therapists may also recommend assistive devices to help patients function more independently. The OT may fit or construct devices that are unique to a patient’s needs. Common assistive devices include adaptive feeding utensils, dressing equipment, walking aids (canes and walkers), mobility scooters or wheelchairs, and orthotics (splints).
The Occupational Therapist is an important part of the rehabilitation team. With their help, our patients achieve functional independence, returning to their work, leisure and home activities stronger and in control of their lives.
