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Occupational Therapy Helps Individuals Live Life to Its Fullest

(April 25, 2013) – While April has been designated Occupational Therapy Month by the American Occupational Therapy Association, many people may not be aware of the services an occupational therapist can provide. From a holistic perspective, with the focus of adapting the environment to fit the needs of their patient, an occupational therapist and the patient become a therapy team.
Occupational Therapy (OT) services typically include:
  • Customized treatment programs to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities
  • Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
  • Performance skills assessments and treatment
  • Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
  • Guidance to family members and caregivers.
According to Jeanne Bradshaw, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Executive Director of Rehabilitation and the Wellness Center, ARHS has a growing and talented team of Occupational Therapists.  “They work in all of our settings across the healthcare system from Acute Care and Outpatient Rehabilitation at Cannon Memorial Hospital and Watauga Medical Center to Home Health and Blowing Rock Hospital,” she said. “Where we used to have one to two OTs across the system, we now are seven to eight strong. They are making a difference in the lives of our patients, but also are making a difference to our organization, as they are integral members of the ARHS Rehabilitation team.”

For more information about Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, visit www.apprhs.org or call The Rehabilitation Center of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System in Boone at (828) 268-9043; in Linville at (828) 737-7520; at Watauga Medical Center Inpatient OT (828) 262-4173; or at Blowing Rock Hospital (828) 295-3136.

To find out more about occupational therapy and how it might help you, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Web site, www.aota.org.

Occupational Therapy: Making Life Better for Patients

In recognition of all the ways Occupational Therapy aids in making life better, April has been designated as Occupational Therapy Month by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Occupational therapy not only treats medical conditions, but it helps people stay engaged in the activities that give them pleasure or a sense of purpose, despite challenges. Occupational therapists enable people to participate in activities of daily life.

Occupational Therapists develop an individualized therapy plan for each patient based on their needs and environment. The therapists help patients overcome disabilities or medical conditions, work toward achievable performance goals and avoid health problems. The ultimate goal is for patients to be able to return to a normal life.

“At Blowing Rock Hospital, Cannon Memorial Hospital, Watauga Medical Center and through Appalachian Regional Healthcare System’s Outpatient Services and Home Health, our talented occupational therapists help children and adults learn or regain skills that allow them to do meaningful things like playing, working, driving, shopping and even preparing a meal,” shared Jeanne Bradshaw, PT, OCS, Director of Rehabilitation for Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.  “This type of help can be beneficial to a variety of people – a person with chronic pain, a person recovering from surgery or a traumatic injury or who was injured on the job.”

Occupational therapy has its roots, a century ago, in helping war veterans return to life at home. These days, occupational therapists work in acute care, home health, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient practices teaching patients the skills for the job of living.

Today, many occupational therapy programs focus on prevention and wellness to help participants live longer, healthier lives. Occupational therapists work with patients to ensure the highest possible level of functioning.  Maintaining or rebuilding independence plays an important role in overall well-being. Occupational therapy works to get beyond disability and create ways for individuals to live life to it’s fullest no matter what.

To find out more about occupational therapy and how it might help you, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Web site, www.aota.org.

Outpatient Occupational Therapy programs available through Appalachian Regional Healthcare System:

  • Aquatic Therapy
  • Manual Lymph Drainage
  • Compression Therapy
  • Garment Fitting
  • Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases
  • Fractures and Sprains
  • Tendonitis
  • Work Injuries
  • Cerebrovascular Accident
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Multiple Trauma
  • Adaptive Devices
  • Environmental Adaptations
  • Energy Conservation Techniques
  • Caregiver Training

For more information, call (828) 268-9043.

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