Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) is designed to help patients with temporary or permanent loss of function regain independence and quality of life. Occupational therapists specialize in caring for people with physical, developmental or emotional challenges by helping them improve their ability to perform daily activities, as well as recommend ways for patients to adapt their environment to enhance independence, and hopefully improve mental health. Therapists assist patients with everything from day-to-day tasks like eating, bathing and dressing to skills such as using a computer, getting in and out of the car, or running errands.
The occupational therapy team works with other health care providers and therapists as needed to help bring patients to their optimal health, such as physical therapists, speech-language pathologists and other physicians. Northwest Healthcare's certified OT providers offer a range of therapy, services and education, including:
- Assessment of cognitive and physical abilities
- Goal setting and planning to help patients overcome individual challenges during daily tasks
- Personalized exercises to improve functional ability, strength, range of motion and endurance
- Activities to improve visual perceptual motor skills and sensory motor processing
- Recommendations for task modifications and use of assistive devices to promote greater independence
- Wheelchair evaluations
- Progress assessments to ensure goals are being met, with adjustments made as necessary to achieve goals
At Northwest Healthcare, our occupational therapists work closely with patients and family members in developing a care plan to ensure each patient's unique needs are being met, and that caregivers are well prepared to support patients in their rehabilitation and recovery. Therapists also work with community organizations and outreach programs to help coordinate appropriate occupational therapy care plans whenever necessary.