How can an occupational therapist help me?

An occupational therapist can help when everyday tasks become difficult. Their main goal is to improve comfort, independence, and well-being, regardless of the illness or its severity. They guide you to find the most suitable equipment and suggest tools or devices to overcome challenges in day-to-day life. Typically, they collaborate with other healthcare professionals in different settings, such as nursing homes, community aid centers, hospitals, and in a person’s own home.

Here are some ways occupational therapists can help:

Make personalised plans

First, occupational therapists will do an assessment to better understand the impact of the illness and any daily challenges. They then make a personalized plan based on the individual’s needs. This can include recommending assistive devices and teaching simpler or new ways to do daily tasks.

Comfort at home

They make home visits to see how someone lives and the challenges they experience in their everyday environment. During these visits, they can suggest changes to the home to make it safer, easier, and more comfortable. For example, this can involve merely rearranging furniture or installing handrails to make the home safer and more accessible.

Help with personal care

They aim to help with maintaining independence and comfort by assisting with personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.

Pain and symptom management

They can collaborate with the palliative care team to help with symptom management and addressing pain. They can teach positioning techniques and relaxation exercises to reduce discomfort and promote relaxation.

Emotional support

‍They can provide emotional support coping strategies, and introduce other services that can be helpful, such as support groups or mental health professionals.

Caregiver guidance

‍Occupational therapists can teach family and friends about a person's health condition and what care they need now, and talk about what may be needed later. They can show them how to safely move or lift the person, make the home safe, help with eating, bathroom tasks, and much more.