The month of April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, and we’re celebrating the more than 213,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and students who work nationwide to create fuller lives for patients and their families.
Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across their lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). OT practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to the fullest by helping them promote health and prevent or manage injury, illness or disability.
Some of the interventions and therapy that OT practitioners can provide include:
- Offering stroke recovery patients ways to resume independence in bathing, dressing and cooking a meal.
- Treating and managing lymphedema, a condition sometimes occurring after breast cancer surgery, traumatic injury or a congenital condition.
- Offering vision rehabilitation and concussion management.
- Helping people recovering from injury regain skills necessary to return to work.
- Providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
- Evaluating seniors’ capabilities to promote safety and prevent falls in their homes.
- Helping wounded warriors overcome physical and mental challenges and reintegrate into the community.
- Helping children with mental challenges such as autism spectrum disorder and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy to fully participate in school and social situations.
- Keeping older drivers safe and independent in their vehicles by providing in-car assessments, recommendations for adaptive equipment and appropriate self-restrictions.
Occupational therapists have a holistic perspective focusing on helping each patient adapt to their environment.
The patient is an integral part of the therapy team, and each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient’s needs. Over 100 years old, OT is an evidence-based profession deeply rooted in science. Occupational therapy focuses on interventions to help patients recover from injuries that have left them limited in their ability to perform daily living activities. Practice areas include: children and youth, mental health, work and industry, rehabilitation, disability and participation, aging and healthy living.
At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), occupational therapists assist patients by providing comprehensive interventions across the full spectrum of care. Occupational therapists are integral members within acute care and the following TMH rehabilitation teams: the Tallahassee Memorial Rehabilitation Center, Neuro Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic, Ortho Rehabilitation Clinic, Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic and Home Health Care.
Our team of OTs and OT assistants hold certifications and specialized training in the treatment and management of a variety of disorders and injuries including lymphedema, pelvic floor dysfunction, visual difficulty due to concussion and driving reintegration, just to name a few.
An accident, injury or illness can leave you or a loved one feeling restricted. Our occupational therapy team can help patients resume normal daily activities. We work as an integral part of a team that includes physical therapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses and social workers to maximize functional independence and safety for patients to return to a full and purposeful life.
If you feel that you are on need of treatment, please speak with your physician about a referral to our occupational therapy program.
For more information about occupational therapy, call the Tallahassee Memorial Rehabilitation Center at 850-431-5164 or visit TMH.ORG/Rehab.
