Modern occupational therapy has been around since the early 1900s. And since then it has been helping folks of all ages live better lives. Occupational therapists use people that have physical or cognitive difficulties. The aim of occupational therapy is to make the activities of daily living easier. Unfortunately, hardly any people know about occupational remedy and how it operates. Read below to learn about occupational remedy and its many benefits.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is the practice of assisting a person to perform certain activities of daily life. These activities might include bathing and dressing or problem solving and communicating clearly. Occupational therapy is personalized based on the needs of the affected person.

Occupational therapists use activities, exercises, and environmental changed. Through these procedures individuals learn new skills, improve existing skills, or regain skills they may have lost.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

To become an occupational therapist, one will need to have a masters degree in occupational therapy. Frequently, occupational therapists in addition have an undergraduate degree in a related field (biology, human physiology, exercise science, etc.). Visit this website to get more insight ndis functional assessment Links to an external site.

When an occupational therapist meets with a fresh patient they may usually perform an evaluation. The result of the analysis can help them make an individualized plan for the patient. Sometimes the therapist will also meet with the patient's family to speak about things the family could do to aid the patient's journey.

A person may have remedy sessions for a short time (a few weeks) or a longer time (many years). The therapist and the patient continue to measure progress and set goals towards the day to day activities that are most crucial to the patient.

Now that you have an improved understanding of occupational therapy and therapists, let's dive into a few of the incredible benefits of occupational therapy.

1. Help Children Learn and Thrive

Children with physical or mental disabilities might need extra support as it pertains to education. Occupational therapists can support learning for children that may struggle in a classroom environment. Children dealing with occupational therapists will learn in ways that best suit their individual needs. If you have a child with special needs, an occupational therapist can also help you! They are able to educate you on how best to teach your child new skills or information. With support from a therapist, children of most ability levels can learn important life-long skills.

2. Increase Independence

For older adults, aging can mean a lack of independence. Family or family members may worry about an older adult falling or injuring themself while at home alone. Or, they might be worried about an older adult's recovery from a fall or a stroke.

Occupational therapists can help restore independence by dealing with older adults on their physical and cognitive health. Specifically, a therapist can focus on hygiene tasks like taking a bath, going to the bathroom, or brushing one's teeth. They could also help someone learn to prepare food for themselves or pay their bills. The therapist will work with the individual to develop the skills that are most essential the individual's daily life.

3. Improve Memory

Some people think of occupational therapists as working only with physical health issues nonetheless they can help with mental health too, including memory. Memory problems are common among older adults, nonetheless they are not inevitable. Dealing with an occupational therapist can help prevent memory loss or enhance memory function. Occupational therapists uses memory games and puzzles to help patients strengthen memory. An occupational therapist cannot cure dementia or Alzheimer's but they can make recommendations to improve a person's quality of life.

4. Home Modifications

Because occupational therapists focus on daily activities, they generally work with individuals and families to make home modifications. A person with a disability may need specific equipment to boost their ability to function in the home. The therapist may also recommend a particular layout for an area or even certain colors for different objects in the house.

The therapist can train a person or their caregiver how to use or install home modifications too. Several of these modifications may include a walk-in bathtub or shower, a wheelchair ramp, or additional handrails through the home.

5. Assistance to Caregivers

Another occupational remedy benefit is their ability to provide guidance and training for caregivers. Parents of children with disabilities or children with elderly parents often rely on an occupational therapist for guidance. Therapists can help caregivers understand the condition and the remedy plan. They are going to provide guidance and education how the caregiver can best support the average person and what to expect during his or her journey.

6. Address Visual Impairment

Occupational therapists use individuals with visual impairments. Through home modifications and training they can help to make life easier for those that have diminished vision. An occupational therapist may recommend color-coded labels or magnification tools to market better visibility around a person's home or office. The therapist cannot restore perfect vision however they can help a person live a happier, less stressful life despite their vision challenges.

7. Patience and Kindness

Above all, occupational therapists are some of the most selfless people in the healthcare community. They treasure their patients and show compassion and patience whenever using the consumer and their family. Occupational therapists are trusted professionals that family or friends can talk to if they have got questions or concerns about supporting a loved one which may have a physical or cognitive condition. Occupational therapy can also improve someone's mood and confidence because they feel accomplished and supported by their therapist.

Occupational Therapy Benefits Everyone

Hopefully you have learned about occupational therapy and the wonderful things occupational therapists do to help people live happier, healthier, more independent lives. Unlike traditional healthcare models, occupational therapists use the whole person, not just the signs or symptoms of their condition.