April is Occupational Therapy Month, and if you’ve followed us for any length of time, you may have heard that term before. We are big advocates of Occupational Therapy, OT for short.
While most people know what physical therapy is, occupational therapy is less known, but highly effective with helping aging adults continue living their best life. Physical therapy (PT) focuses on movement, mobility and function of the physical body, especially when there has been an injury or loss of function/movement/mobility. Occupational therapy (OT) is similar to PT in that it does help people live life fully after an illness of injury. However, you can get a lot more help from an occupational therapist than just after an injury. OT is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). That means that no matter how young or old you are, and whether you were born with a condition that keeps you from full physical capability or you are needing help due to normal aging, illness or injury, an occupational therapist can teach you to function well in your daily life.
From the moment you get out of bed in the morning to the time you go back to bed at night, your daily life involves constant activities that are simply part of daily living: brushing your teeth, bathing, answering the phone, eating meals, walking through your home, putting away groceries, making a snack, getting into your favorite recliner chair and then standing back up again… these (and so many other little tasks) are things we do without much thought until we find ourselves struggling to complete them. An occupational therapist can help you find new and effective ways to complete routine tasks, as well teach you exercises to strengthen your muscles, and also change things in your home that are unsafe or unmanageable for you. Your occupational therapist can help you learn to take a shower and get dressed. They can also teach you how to use your smartphone, remove fall risks in your home, and provide memory-enhancing activities to help slow memory loss. OT can help you do all of your daily tasks (occupations) in a better way so that you struggle less with the little things, and have more time to enjoy life.
Some of the things occupational therapists help with include (but aren’t limited to):
- Daily tasks
- Fine motor skills
- Fall prevention
- Helpful home modifications
- Vision loss
- And much more…
Occupational therapists don’t just “fix people”. They observe and then teach people to live the best life they are currently capable of living by helping them promote health for themselves. OT empowers you to live your best life. Contact us if you’d like help finding an occupational therapist.
DISCLAIMER : This article contains information that is intended to help the readers be better informed regarding exercise and health care. It is presented as general advice on health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual needs. Before beginning any new exercise program it is recommended that you seek medical advice from your personal physician. This article is not intended to be a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed physician. The reader should consult with their doctor in any matters relating to his/her health.
