Living Life to the Fullest—How Occupational Therapy Can Help

“Is the glass half full or half empty?”

Occupational therapists and assistants have the answer: It’s full when client and therapist work together in harmony to ensure that clients are doing their best no matter what challenges they face.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), “Occupational therapy enables people to achieve their goals, function at the highest possible level, concentrate on what matters most to them, maintain or rebuild their independence and participate in everyday activities that bring meaning to their lives.”

Occupational Therapy (OT) aids in maximizing function, including bathing, dressing, grooming, home management (cleaning, cooking, laundry), equipment use, upper extremity strength/range of motion, cardiac rehabilitation, client education and the reduction of pain. OT is not simply getting back to your occupation; instead it is getting back to your daily activities. Some areas of treatment in Occupational Therapy include:

• Enabling recovery after arm and wrist fractures

• Decreasing complaints of shoulder and elbow pain or decreased motion

• Addressing difficulty with self care or Activities of Daily Living

• Progressing cardiac rehab and energy conservation/joint protection

• Obtaining adaptive equipment for self care, dressing, or home modification

Holland Home provides Occupational Therapy (OT) services at all levels of the continuum. With 19 registered Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants working at all Holland Home Campuses and throughout the community, the services can be brought to where you live. OT services are provided in skilled nursing facilities, in your home for homebound individuals, and at our three CORF accredited outpatient centers, at Breton Terrace, Raybrook and Fulton.

If you have questions about whether you might benefit from Occupational Therapy services, call the Holland Home Intake Department at (616)235-5113. We can give you more information and arrange for a free in-home screening by one of our occupational therapy clinicians. Occupational Therapy services are covered by Medicare, Medicare HMOs and most private insurances.

“Living Life To Its Fullest”™ is what occupational therapy is truly all about.

October 1st, 2009 | Posted in Breton, Fulton, General, HomeCare, Raybrook | Share this on Facebook or Twitter