Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?
The word "occupation" in Occupational Therapy refers to activities done on a daily basis that are meaningful and purposeful. Here are some examples:

cooking

dining

cleaning

driving

golfing

typing on a computer

being a mother, a father, a child, a brother, a sister, a husband, a wife, a student.

Occupational therapists seek and find solutions for health-related maladjustments which affect one's occupation, interfere with day-to-day living and hinder the cultivation of a meaningful life.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Occupational Therapy is "the use of purposeful activity or intervention designed to achieve functional outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability, and which develop, improve, sustain or restore the highest possible level of independence of individuals." (AOTA 1994)

What is Neurological Rehabilitation?
"Neuro Rehab" is rehabilitation of patients who have been affected by dysfunction of the brain and/or spinal cord (ie., cognition, movement, muscle strength, skills, balance, sensation, etc.).

Is Neurological Rehabilitation for me?
If you answer yes to the following statements, then Neurological Rehabilitation is for you:

• I am unable to feel/move one side of my body
• I am more forgetful since my stroke
• I am unable to write/dress/bathe
• I am unable to get in/out of the tub

What happens when I see my therapist?

• Evaluation
  Formally completed on first visits (i.e., movement, strength, cognition, ambulate, balance, transfers, sensation)
• Goals
  Establish in collaboration with patient and family to independently and safely with ambulation and transfers (i.e., patient will comb hair wtih left hand, patient will dress self independently, patient will remember home telephone number)
• Treatment
  Using various techniques/activities to achieve goals