Occupational Therapy Month

Guest Column
By: 
Leann Herman
Monticello Nursing & Rehab Campus

     April is designated as National Occupational Therapy Month and is a great opportunity to provide information and education on Occupational Therapy (OT) services and how OT can improve the quality of life of individuals of all ages.

     The term “occupational therapy” is somewhat ambiguous. When we refer to do physical therapy, we know it pertains to the physical body, working primarily on strengthening. Speech therapy focuses on various communication skills. So, what about occupational therapy?

     The profession of occupational therapy was named in 1921 by the American Occupational Therapy Association and includes all the activities or tasks that a person performs each day. For example, taking a shower, getting dressed, playing a sport, taking a class, cooking a meal, cleaning the house, and working at a job are considered occupations. The purpose of occupational therapy is to help people increase their independence with these activities (occupations) of daily life while preventing or minimizing disability. Occupational therapists work in schools with children with disabilities, in hospital settings with individuals of all ages recovering from an illness or injury, and also in care centers working with individuals and their daily tasks. In long-term care, treatment focuses on maintaining or increasing independence with daily tasks such as dressing, toileting, bathing and wheelchair mobility. Therapists also assist in strengthening, range of motion, and coordination in the individual’s trunk and upper extremities. Oftentimes, occupational therapy is ordered in partnership with physical therapy. During assessment and treatment, therapists evaluate the need for adaptive equipment such as shower chairs, grab bars, sock aids, or toilet risers to assist in increasing safety and independence.

     Monticello Nursing and Rehab partners with Millennium Therapy for physical, occupational and speech therapy services. Millennium Rehab specializes in the treatment of the older adult population.

     Cheri Broghammer, occupational therapy lead at MNRC said, “I feel I have a very rewarding job. We help our aging seniors overcome the challenges faced in daily life. We adapt their environment so they can age safely in place; promote better health through exercise and fall prevention techniques. We can also assist caregivers to cope better with the onset of dementia in their loved ones.”

     For more information on occupational therapy services, call Leann at Monticello Nursing and Rehab at 319-465-5415.

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