Occupational therapists enable individuals, groups and communities to develop the means and opportunities to identify, engage in and achieve desired potential in the occupations of life.
Occupation is everything people do to occupy themselves, including what people do to look after themselves (self-care), enjoy life (leisure), and contribute socially and economically to their communities (productivity).
Occupation is the domain of concern and the therapeutic medium of occupational therapy. Elements which contribute to occupational performance in self care, leisure and productivity include mental, physical, sociocultural and spiritual components.
Occupational therapists address the barriers that can make everyday activities difficult. An occupational therapist examines not only the physical effects of illness, injury or aging, but also addresses the psychosocial, community and environmental factors that influence function.
Some examples of how an occupational therapist can help you include:
- Learning how to do things with the abilities you have. For example:
- Dress yourself or prepare meals using one arm
- Remember things when you have difficulty with your memory
- Develop new skills, abilities, and interests in work and leisure time
- Teach a family member or other caregiver how best to help you
- Recommending Equipment or adapting the equipment and materials that you use. For example:
- Wheelchairs, positioning and seating equipment, sleep support surfaces
- Personal care equipment such as bath seats and lifts, dressing aids
- Renovations for accessibility, such as ramps, stair lifts, doorways
- Making changes to the environment where you do your work or activities. For example:
- Change the lay-out of your home or office to make it more accessible or safer for you, or to prevent injury
- Negotiate a gradual return to work plan with an employer
Occupational therapy practice is client - centered using collaborative and partnership approaches. Assessment by an occupational therapist may include standardized, informal, qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
The occupational therapist may provide direct services not only to clients, but may also perform functions as manager, researcher, program developer or educator as part of their professional roles. The clients may include agencies and organizations as well as individuals or groups.
Our occupational therapy services have been featured in the September/October 2002 issue of OT Now. Click here to view the article in Adobe Acrobat format. (pdf)
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (Second Edition 2002). Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada. Ottawa, ON:CAOT Publications ACE Source of information - www.caot.ca
