How to Know if You Want to Do Occupational Therapy
A Simplified Guide to Occupational Therapy for Strokes
Henry Hoffman
Wednesday, October 26th, 2016
Caregiver AdviceEvidence-Based TreatmentHealthcareOccupational Therapist InfostrengtheningTask-Oriented TrainingTherapist Advice
Occupational therapy is an essential pace forth the road to recovery after a stroke . Patients who lose the capacity to perform daily tasks, such every bit the power to maintain rest, concentrate, retain data, and even reach for an object, require the expertise of an occupational therapist to relearn these bones movements. The goal of the therapist is to assist patients meliorate sensory and motor abilities that take been damaged. This is achieved through reprogramming parts of the patients' brains and helping them regain musculus control.
Many stroke survivors struggle to live regular lives because skills and movements that used to exist simple are now challenging. Therapists aid patients main daily tasks similar dressing, bathing, writing, driving, and cooking. Afterward regaining more functions, they can return to work. Thanks to occupational therapy, many patients can also continue a favorite hobby such as painting or playing a musical instrument. With fourth dimension, dedication, and support, patients tin recover, become more independent, and reclaim their lives.
The following resource guide will cover everything you need to know almost working with an occupational therapist.
The Benefits of Occupational Therapy
Improving quality of life . The main do good of occupational therapy is an improved quality of life. Occupational therapists help patients improve their sensory and motor abilities during the post-stroke recovery menses and then patients can relearn valuable skills, including preparation, using a computer, and cooking. With these skills, stroke survivors tin return to normal life.
Learning strategies to overcome challenges. Occupational therapists also teach survivors how to conform to their new way of movement and range of motion. They teach practical strategies similar how to divide a complex activity into smaller parts, and then practice each function until the patient can perform the entire sequence of the activeness. Plus, patients learn how to compensate for their new abilities and strategize to overcome challenges. For example, some patients who can but use one hand may substitute claw-and-loop Velcro fasteners for buttons on wear and then it'due south easier to dress themselves.
Adapting living spaces to suit needs . Part of therapy includes helping patients and their families make changes in their homes and then their living infinite is safer and easier to maneuver in. Therapists and patients work together to identify functional changes , such as installing catch bars in bathrooms then it's easy to navigate the room.
Coping with challenges and returning to routine activities . Occupational therapists also address challenges brought on by the stroke. These may include physical, cerebral, and emotional challenges . They help patients identify the activities they demand or want to do and so come with strategies that help patients return to most of their favorite activities.
What to Expect When You Need Occupational Therapy
Most stroke patients demand occupational therapy to exist able to return to their daily activities. This therapy is of import to the rehabilitation and recovery process because your therapist helps you relearn necessary life skills. They prescribe exercises and activities that aid yous regain your physical and cognitive abilities. During this time, your occupational therapist is about likely the professional you will meet the nigh.
At initial visits, your therapist will appraise your current challenges and difficulties, including physical environment and new limitations. They accept into business relationship the severity of the stroke you lot suffered as information technology impacts how much therapy you lot'll need. As your therapy progresses, your therapist will be there to support and suggest you and your family unit, likewise every bit assistance y'all devise strategies. These strategies allow y'all to regain as much independence and quality of life as possible.
You'll learn techniques to do daily activities and your favorite leisure activities. Some of these strategies and techniques may require specialized equipment that your therapist teaches you how to use. If you plan to return to piece of work, your therapist will help you lot set a realistic timeline to relearn essential motor and cognitive skills. They strive to aid you return to the highest level of performance possible and are in that location to work with yous.
How Therapists prepare your domicile for prophylactic and the best quality of life:
- Evaluate the safe of your abode and make suggestions.
- Recommend equipment that makes your home more accessible.
- Look at means to ready your abode so that you can improve complete day-to-day chores.
- Demonstrate and teach you one-handed techniques to do things like getting dressed, opening packages, preparing nutrient, and using your computer.
- Instruct your family or caregivers on how best to help yous regain your independence and participate in the activities yous enjoy.
Your Occupational Therapist is a Team Player
Your physician will refer y'all to an occupational therapist, and at that place are general guidelines for rehabilitation while in the hospital. Usually, y'all will receive occupational therapy for at to the lowest degree 45 minutes per mean solar day, 5 days a week .
The occupational therapist is an integral member of your stroke-rehab squad. This multidisciplinary team is made upward of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, spoken language therapists, social workers, and other specialists. Your therapist works closely with the other members of the team to ensure your best intendance. They are experienced in recognizing the full range of problems and challenges caused by a stroke.
Where Exercise You lot Go to Meet an Occupational Therapist?
Usually, a hospital social worker meets with you and your family unit to talk over your rehabilitation plan before the hospital discharges yous. An occupational therapist is part of that plan. Nearly likely, yous started seeing i while nonetheless in the infirmary.
You will continue therapy in your domicile or at a local occupational therapy practice. Early on on, yous benefit from as much as y'all can manage. As the therapy progresses, your needs are likewise evaluated. Y'all may not know the full extent of your stroke damage at starting time because information technology may not be obvious until you return home and effort to resume your daily activities. Your therapist helps you prepare for these challenges and set and piece of work toward your recovery goals .
What to Look For in an Occupational Therapist
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- What is your therapist's name, and what are their credentials?
- How many years of experience does the therapist accept? In what setting(southward)?
- Is this therapist an occupational therapist, physical therapist, spoken communication therapist, or a therapy assistant?
- Are they licensed in the state that yous alive in?
- Will they set the right goals for yous?
- Will they push you to your limits merely not past them?
- Tin they fully understand what your disabilities are and what exercises and activities are needed to get them back to a normal country?
- Will they conduct regular meetings to evaluate your progress?
- Do they make consistent visits and accost expectations?
- Practice they have an eagle eye for comeback?
- Do they minimize frustration?
- Practise they make work experience like play and go along you motivated?
- Practise they provide patient and family education and back up?
- Does the therapist bear ongoing assessment of your progress for discharge and even after until a normal movement is reached?
Questions to Enquire Y0ur Occupational Therapist
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In that location are a few key questions to ask your occupational therapist before you start your recovery. This dialogue gives you some insights into their knowledge of how to work with your condition. It besides to allows you to see if you're comfy with the therapist and if they are the correct fit.
- Have you worked with my blazon of injury before?
- Do you lot have some experience or a lot?
- Have y'all achieved results?
- What are some examples or results you have been able to achieve working with my type of condition?
- What will a typical session look like?
- What practise yous expect from me?
- What is your treatment philosophy?
- Exercise y'all follow testify-based treatment guidelines?
- Practise yous go on upward to date on the newest treatments and exercises for my condition?
The Route to Recovery
Your occupational therapist is a key role player in your long-term stroke recovery journey. They strive to assistance you reclaim your normal life to the fullest extent possible. A skilled therapist addresses you lot as a whole person. This includes your physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Successful stroke recovery requires time and patience. Remember to appreciate and gloat each small victory along the style.
All content provided on this blog is for advisory purposes only and is non intended to be a substitute for professional person medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. E'er seek the advice of your physician or other qualified wellness provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think yous may take a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Reliance on whatever data provided by the Saebo website is solely at your own risk.
Source: https://www.saebo.com/blog/simplified-guide-occupational-therapy-strokes/
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