What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is one of the very concerned branches of health care that helps people at all stages of life (from toddlers to elderly) who have physical or sensoryissues. This therapy helps those people to develop, maintain or recover the skills they need for daily activities. Also, it helps people regaining independence in all areas of their lives.Occupational therapists help a person in emotional, social and physical needs.In this blog we are going to tell you the Health Benefits Of Occupational Therapy, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.

Who handles Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is supervised who can manage fieldwork programs and pass a national certification exam. It is mandatory to practice with a license only. The professional levels of occupational practice are:

  • Occupational Therapist (OT): It is important that an OT has a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a related field such as biology, psychology or health science.
  • Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA): An OTA should have an associate’s degree from an accredited OTA program.

Who needs Occupational Therapy?

OT helpspeople who have:

  • birth injuries or defects
  • traumatic injuries
  • sensory disorders
  • learning problems
  • autism
  • cancer
  • mental health
  • behavioral problems
  • chronic illnesses
  • orthopedic injuries
  • developmental delays
  • post-surgical conditions
  • severe hand and leg injuries

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There are certain activities which an occupational therapist will do with the elderly:

  • Physical therapy such as walking, climbing stairs and certainexercises.
  • Activities to improve memory and cognitive functions
  • Home modifications using special tools
  • Fine motor skills such as writing techniques, solving puzzles and practicing regular activities
  • Improving communication skills to work effectively with family members
  • Mental health exercises such as talk therapy and handling anxiety and depression

How Occupational therapy helps people?

OT helps with:

  • motor skills (including muscle movements)
  • cognitive (thinking) skills
  • visual perceptual skills
  • sensory processing problems

Where do Occupational Therapists work?

Occupational therapists OT work in different settings including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities and private clinics.

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What are the major benefits of Occupational Therapy?

  • Recovery and social inclusion: Occupational therapists provide a vast array of tasks and training including time management and stress management. Social inclusion is one of the major points provided in Occupational therapy. The support to kids and elders with mental issues is a very important thing to carry out basic social activities. OT is a crucial part of mental health recovery and social inclusion for people who want to gain confidence by getting engaged in social groups and by contributing to society.
  • Decrease in health risks: OT helps people with a variety of different disabilities. They have to perform health risk assessments to find out the harms and cognitive issues. When people face issues while completing their daily tasks, they usually go to the occupational therapists; who help them in incorporating healthy habits and routines into daily lives. Also, they encourage people in the engagement of social activities.
  • Consistent support: Occupational therapy is always there for you in both professional and friendly manner. Whether it is about talking about day-to-day activities or discussing how the resident is feeling, occupational workers wonder about providing constant support throughout his journey.
  • Improving resident wellbeing: Occupational therapyhelps to improve the mental and physical health of the residents. Whether it is about promoting a healthy mindset, healthy occupations, dietary or fitness based, each program of occupational therapy  is unique and based on the resident’s needs.
  • Encourages independence: The most important benefit of occupational therapy is to promote and encourage independence and giveresidents the opportunity to thrive. It is incredibly important to take care of the health and vitality of an individual who is unable to do the daily chores and occupational therapists help them to live longer and more happily.
  • Teaches self-care techniques: An occupational therapist helps to develop self-care habits in an individual. These little self-care techniques can improve one’s ability to operate without any help.By working on motor skills and employing habit-changing tools,occupational therapy also focuses on self-care.
  • Improves overall quality of life: Occupational therapy improves the quality of life for people living in care facilities. This therapy helps people especially, the elder ones to leada healthy life with othersas well as an active lifestyle that creates a catalyst effect in every journey of life. It is truly said that better physical health encourages better mental health and better vision encourages better memory. In order to encourage a better sense of independence, it becomes important to seek occupational therapy.
  • A Trusted Confidant: Occupational therapists serve trusted confidants to theresidents who feel embarrassed about not being able to do the smallchores. Peopledo not feel comfortable talking to anyone about their problems but an occupational therapist is someone whom they talk about their concerns comfortably.

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Final Words –

Occupational Therapy is important for every elder who is unable to gain self-confidence. Each elderly person has different needs and goals and it becomes necessary to work with an occupational therapist for personalized care. Occupational Therapists take care of your loved ones and act as the much-needed caretakers. In last, I hope, this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Health Benefits Of Occupational Therapy.