Empowering Everyday Living; The Benefits of Occupational Therapy

April is Occupational Therapy Month.

Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. By taking the full picture into account—a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social make-up—occupational therapy assists people in:

 

  • Achieving their goals
  • Functioning at the highest possible level
  • Concentrating on what matters most to them
  • Maintaining or rebuilding their independence
  • Participating in the everyday activities that they need to do or that simply make life worth living

It helps individuals design their lives, develop skills, adjust home, school, or work environments, and build health-promoting habits and routines. Occupational therapy uses everyday activities as the means to enable people to thrive. Occupational therapy works to get beyond disability or limitations, creating ways for individuals to live life to its fullest no matter what.

The occupational therapists and assistants at Passavant frequently address deficits in activities of daily living (ADL’s) including ability to dress, groom, shower/bathe, cook, or otherwise care for oneself as previously. They address home safety including suggestions on maximizing safety and ease and assess for and train with adaptive equipment that can best help people in their homes. The OT’s and OTA’s also address strength, balance, fine motor control, wheelchair assessment and fitting, and energy conservation.

The occupational therapy staff on the campus of Passavant Retirement Community can help you improve your ability to care for yourself, allowing you greater safety and independence throughout the life span. They are available on an outpatient basis (call 724-452-3492) or via home health services (call 877-862-6659). Insurance covers therapy services as appropriate and a physician’s order is necessary.

 

Information adapted from: http://www.promoteot.org/AI_OTM-link07.html