What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy helps people to participate in meaningful activities, that is things that they want to do or need to do (occupations) as part of their daily life thus enabling them to function as independently as possible and to live life to the fullest.
Occupations include basic self-care activities, hobbies, handwriting etc.
Who do occupational therapists (OTs) help?
People of all ages and abilities (due to illness or injury, being mentally or physically challenged, or growing old) from birth – 120 in a variety of settings (home, work, community, schools, hospitals).
How do OTs help?
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Change the environment to enable participation in activities that YOU want to do
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Assistive devices to enable continued independence in self-care activities for the elderly
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Teaching strategies e.g. to facilitate getting dressed independently following a stroke or writing lists to help remember which groceries need to be bought
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Ergonomics – modification of work environment to prevent injury and promote wellness
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Adapt the home to ensure safety
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Adapt work environment to prevent injury
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Assist with personal goals so that the sky is the limit etc.
OT PROVIDES SKILLS FOR THE JOB OF LIVING
People have contacted me to help them with:-
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Fall prevention
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Ergonomics
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Stroke – after care and adaptation of environment or use of assistive devices as required
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Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, DeQuervain’s disease, tennis elbow
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Hand fractures
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Osteoarthritis
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Parkinson’s disease
