What is Occupational Therapy?
What is Occupational Therapy?
- Occupational Therapy is the science behind enabling an individual to perform everyday activities that are important and meaningful for them. Everyday activities can be as simple as getting washed and dressed in the morning to cooking a meal to climbing the stairs to using the computer. Following a hospital admission, surgery, accident or illness performing simple tasks can become difficult in your own home.
- The Miriam May Occupational Therapists typically work with individuals in their own home or place they call home taking in to account the environment in which they live and complete everyday tasks and the potential barriers this can create.
- Occupational therapists play a critical role in helping people of all ages overcome the effects of disability caused by illness, ageing or accident so that they can carry out everyday tasks or occupations.
- The Occupational Therapist identifies goals to regain or improve independence by using different techniques, changing the environment or using new equipment.
- The Occupational Therapist works with the individual and family to identify strengths and difficulties people have in everyday life and work out practical solutions that will help.
- The Occupational Therapist gives practical solutions to empower people and overcome barriers preventing safety, independence and quality of life.
Enabling Independence
Facilitating independence includes assessment of mobility and transfers to encourage people to retain function in the home and at work. Occupational therapists will advise on techniques and adaptive equipment as appropriate.
