It is Occupational Therapy Month! All You Should Know About OTs and Home Care
April is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to recognize how occupational therapy (OT) is changing lives for the better. Occupational therapy helps patients recover from illnesses and injuries, as well as helping people adapt to physical or cognitive changes. Thanks to great home health agencies in NJ, occupational therapy can be delivered in the home to maximize patient outcomes.
In celebration of Occupational Therapy Month, let’s learn more about how occupational therapists are delivering exceptional care in the comfort of their patients’ homes.
What is the Role of an OT in the Home?
Occupational therapists work with all types of patients and illnesses, including those with autism, dementia, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic illness, or traumatic brain injury. OTs have many roles, but their main priority is to help people perform daily living skills and do the things they want to do with the abilities they have.
VNA Health Group’s OTs are experienced in making home safety recommendations, providing adaptive equipment training, improving independence, and decreasing anxiety. Daily activities for patients accommodate for any potential personal limitations while focusing on improving each patients’ abilities.
Here are some of the things that our occupational therapists can help with:
- Safely recover from an illness, injury, or procedure
- Improve independence and self-esteem
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Help patients regain strength and mobility
- Encourage patients to adapt to changes in their abilities
- Make recommendations for adaptive equipment and training
Choosing an Occupational Therapist
Finding and selecting an occupational therapist is an important process, as this professional will shape your or your loved one’s recovery. Finding the best OT is critical due to the huge variety of training, philosophy, and personality differences among occupational therapists. At VNA Health Group, we recommend looking for the following qualities:
- Able to give 1:1 treatment
- Provides education to the family
- Writes reachable goals for each session
- Willing to collaborate with your doctor and others
- Asks questions and listens well
Sometimes, the only way to get back on your feet is with the help of an occupational therapist. For more information on physical and occupational therapy, contact the VNA Health Group today. Our licensed therapists provide one-on-one treatment in the home, have access to a variety of equipment and are happy to collaborate with others on your care team.