What Is Occupational Therapy?

Benefits Of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can improve a patient's independence, which could increase their confidence and self-esteem. Patients who participate in occupational therapy can gain a greater knowledge of their condition and understand practical steps they can take to keep themselves safe and active. For elderly patients, occupational therapy could promote 'aging in place,' allowing them to stay in their own homes for as long as possible without the need to move to an assisted care facility. Occupational therapists can help patients redesign their daily routines to encourage safe mobility and reduce the risk of falls. They often assist older patients with stretching exercises to reduce pain, and they also provide food recommendations for patients with swallowing difficulties. Occupational therapy teaches patients of all ages how they can adapt to the challenges of their particular health circumstances and continue to have a sense of purpose and meaning in life. In addition to benefiting the patient, occupational therapy assists the patient's family members through education and caregiver relief. Therapists educate the family on how to maintain their own lives while engaging in the caregiving process, and they enable the patient to make better decisions about their day-to-day care; this often reduces the amount of caregiving the patient needs. 

Discover the fields of use for occupational therapy next.