April is National Occupational Therapy Month — a great opportunity to recognize the achievements and contributions of these valued health professionals in our community.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across their lifespan do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities. The goal of an occupational therapist (OT) is to enable people of all ages to live their lives to the fullest by helping them work through an injury, illness or disability that limits their full function.

“Occupational therapy is a profession that is not very well known,” said Susan Jones, occupational therapist at Memorial Regional Health. “However, I feel our services can be very beneficial in promoting safety and independence for patients of all ages.”

Jones often uses an analogy by Katie Mary, occupational therapist and member of the Occupational Therapy Association, to explain OT to others. Think of a locked door in front of you that has no key. On the other side of the door is everything that makes you happy — playing with your kids, going for a walk, freely moving around your house. Some individuals naturally have that “key” and can walk through that door themselves; however, for those who are unable, OT helps them find that key and find their path to success.

“OT Month allows us to let our professional attributes shine,” she said.

Who benefits from occupational therapy?

The occupational therapy staff at MRH covers a broad spectrum of services, serving both pediatric and adult patients. According to Jones, OTs who work with adults tend to focus more on self-care and home safety, and pediatric OTs work on all the activities of a child, ranging from play to feeding.

“Pediatric occupational therapists want children to be successful in all aspects of their daily lives just like occupational therapists who work with adults do,” Jones said.

Leanne Heath, an occupational therapist at MRH, said adult and geriatric OT services can be helpful for those who are experiencing a decline in their ability to care for themselves at home.

Patients she works with in the hospital setting are often recovering from a specific injury or surgery, such as a broken leg or knee replacement. They might also be recovering from another health event, such as a recent stroke, fall at home or increased weakness from an illness.

Heath said these therapy services aim to increase strength and safety for patients to prevent further decline and potential injury. She works on daily living training or retraining, strengthening exercises, and training and education for safety with her patients — sometimes utilizing adaptive or medical equipment.

“Generally, we can provide services to anyone who is having increased difficulty with self-care at home, such as toileting, bathing, dressing, cooking or completing other important day-to-day tasks,” she said. “The goal is to make the transition of returning home from the hospital easier and safer.”

For home health OT, outside of the hospital setting, MRH offers the same services but within the patient’s household. Since the occupational therapist is working with the patient directly in their home, they can make more specific suggestions for home modifications to increase safety, such as recommendations for a shower chair or grabbers.

“Home health OT is most helpful when a patient is ready to safely transition home, whether that be alone or with the assistance of family or caregivers,” she said.

Recognizing the OTs at MRH

MRH is proud to have OTs on staff who work with their patients in a meaningful way. We are taking this month to celebrate the achievements of our staff and the impact they have on their patients.

“Our team of occupational therapists at MRH are knowledgeable, compassionate and caring patient advocates who bring years of experience in the care that they provide,” Jones said.

The American Occupational Therapy Association’s slogan for this year’s OT month is “Occupational Therapy: Passion, Purpose, Possibility.” That slogan resonates with Jones and her team, who always work to ensure their patients make strides in their conditions every day.

“At MRH, we are passionate about serving this community,” Jones concluded. “Our purpose is to provide the best possible research-driven care. We want every patient and family to know there is always a possibility in the gravest of situations. Our team is always here with passion, purpose and possibility.”

Celebrate OT Month with Us!

At MRH, we believe we have some of the best occupational therapists in the country. We want to recognize their work and the impact they have on our community.

If you’re looking to celebrate Occupational Therapy Month with us, here are some ways you can do so.

1. If you or a loved one has received OT services, reach out to your/their occupational therapist to say thank you.
2. Share this article and explain why you think it’s important for your friends and family to know more about OT.
3. Let other community members know about your experience, focusing on how OT might have changed your and your loved one’s life.