What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a health profession that focuses on helping individuals of all ages gain independence in their daily lives. Occupational therapists have specialized training in adapting environments, modifying activities, and addressing client factors that may influence a person's participation in everyday life. Occupational therapy services may be appropriate for individuals with a wide variety of needs and diagnoses. This list may include, but is not limited to: strokes, joint replacements, general weakness, hand and upper extremity injuries/conditions/surgeries, cognitive impairments, sensory processing concerns, decreased activity tolerance, developmental delays and more. Services may be provided in the hospital or outpatient clinic.
What can occupational therapy do for you?
The occupational therapy team offers treatments and training that may address activities that are necessary to daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, etc. A wide variety of other activities like home management, cooking, play and leisure activities can also be addressed. We may also teach therapeutic exercises for improving joint mobility, muscle strength, and endurance which often cause limitations to participating in
daily life habits, routines, and activities. Additionally, occupational therapists may offer physical agent modalities to address pain, edema, or muscle relaxation to help meet patient goals.
Examples of Occupational therapy services:
• Individualized evaluations in the hospital or outpatient therapy clinic
• Collaborative goals between the OT and individual, which focus on participation in daily life.
• Activities of daily living training to gain independence i.e. dressing, bathing, toileting,
grooming, etc.
• Home assessments to assess safety before discharging from swing bed services
• Custom orthotic fabrication for the upper extremity.
• Therapeutic exercises
• Home exercise programs
• Education and training of assistive devices and adaptive equipment
• Interventions to increase play and participation in daily life for pediatrics
• Manual treatment to address pain and limited range of motion such as scar massage, joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization.
• Modalities to address pain or swelling, such as: paraffin, moist heat, ultrasound, electric stimulation, etc.
What steps do I take to receive occupational therapy services?
A doctor’s order must be obtained to begin treatment. Once a doctor’s order is obtained, your occupational therapist can complete an evaluation, helping determine each individual’s unique needs to form an individualized treatment plan. Occupational therapy goals for treatment are designed around each person’s own wants, needs and goals. Occupational therapy services may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurance carriers. Please contact your insurance company for more information on your benefits for occupational therapy.
The occupational therapy team at GRMC is trained to work with patients from infants through geriatrics. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call us at 785-890-4042, or fax 785-890-6035.