What You Should Know About Occupational Therapy

If you or someone you care about is experiencing difficulty engaging in everyday activities, such as completing household chores, dressing, bathing, and/or preparing meals because of pain, injuries, disabilities or other health conditions, you may be considering occupational therapy.  If so, there’s a few things you should know about occupational therapy and the role of an OT.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on developing the strengths and skills required for routine tasks and activities. With help from an occupational therapist, also known as OTs, people experiencing these difficulties or showing signs of less independence can take steps to improve mobility, function more independently, and ultimately participate in their desired occupations based on personal interests and needs.  This, in turn, could improve overall health and quality of life.

Occupational therapy (OT) considers the complex relationship between the client, unique activities, and the environment in which these activities takes place.

*Example: Occupational Therapists conduct home evaluations to assure clients’ (participant) can engage in daily occupations (activity) safely in their home (environment).

What are occupations?

Occupations are the activities people of all ages need and want to do—things like making meals, dressing, managing medications, driving, going to school or work, playing, or caring for family members. Occupational therapists believe the ability to engage in daily occupations support health and wellness!

What do occupational therapy services include?

Services focus on the client’s goals and typically include:

• an individualized evaluation, during which the client/care partner and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals,
• customized interventions to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, and
• an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan.

Occupational services may also include comprehensive evaluations of the client’s home and other environments (e.g., workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, and guidance and education for family members and caregivers.

What is the goal of occupational therapy?

To improve quality of life through engagement in meaningful, daily occupations which affects overall health and wellness for Boerne’s community-dwelling older adults.

We can help!

Now that you know a bit more about occupational therapy and its benefits, don’t suffer with limited mobility and independence, occupational therapy may help. Give us a call at 830-331-8604.

Jennica Colvin, Owner & Occupational Therapist
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions
Boerne, Texas