By: Meghann Cassibo
Q: What is Occupational Therapy?
A: Occupational therapists strive to help individuals of all ages participate in their desired occupations with the therapeutic use of everyday activities that are based on an individual’s needs and interests.
Occupations are the everyday activities that we are need and want to be able to do. These can include dressing, cooking, driving, managing medications, going to work or school, and play/leisure activities.
Occupational therapists are skilled at providing an individualized evaluation, including standardized testing that will help to identify a person’s goals. A customized intervention plan is implemented to improve a person’s ability to perform those desired goals with ongoing evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met. A custom home program is often utilized to improve success throughout therapy and maintain functional abilities once a person has met their goals.
Occupational therapy can be provided in a variety of settings including outpatient therapy, inpatient therapy, skilled nursing homes, school-based setting, home health care, workplace environments, etc.
At Rainy Lake Medical Center, our occupational therapists often treat the following:
- Stroke and other neurological conditions
- Sports injuries
- Fractures and surgeries
- Amputation
- Arthritis
- Symptoms related to cancer
- Head and spinal injuries
- Osteoporosis
- Incontinence
- Developmental delays
- Hand injuries
Please talk to your doctor if you believe you would benefit from an Occupational Therapy evaluation.
For more information on how RLMC’s Therapy and Wellness team can assist you, call 218-283-5420.