Occupational health care professionals offer a unique suite of services for patients whose injuries (or degenerative diseases) have caused them to lose the ability to perform work-related or leisure activities. What sets occupational therapists apart is their unique training in using techniques that help patients resume the activities they enjoy doing (or need to do for work). Successfully administering these techniques often requires specialized equipment, too. Below are a few techniques and devices that help occupational therapists with their treatment and training programs:
1. Spirometers
These devices measure the air capacity of the lungs and are especially helpful for patients recovering from injuries to the chest or ribcage. Rib fractures can compromise a person’s ability to breathe, so occupational therapists often use a technique called incentive spirometry (IS), a form of lung expansion therapy, to help the patient restore maximum breathing capacity.
Using a reliable spirometer, occupational therapists ask patients to perform maximum inspiration (inhale), and then to hold the breath for 5-10 seconds. The device can systematically help patients improve their maximum lung capacity over time. Using a spirometer routinely can also help prevent mucus build-up over time and make it easier for patients to breathe. Spirometry is often used to detect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even asthma.
This amazing tool has helped patients live life to the fullest extent by detecting breathing problems and helping their lungs build strength. A patient can develop his lung capacity to ability as close to normal as possible, creating a new normal. As a result, the patient can enjoy life beyond his original expectations. Spirometers are one of the most essential tools in an occupational therapist’s arsenal.
2. Medical Screenings
Well-trained occupational therapists measure patients’ progress over time using routine medical screenings. These screenings help to ensure that the practitioners remain accountable and further ensures that patients are steadily improving over time as a result of the occupational health program. Medical screenings are one of the most effective techniques used in evidence-based practices because they yield objective data.
These screenings usually rely on specific tools, such as vision screeners, to keep track of patients’ progress. Good-quality vision screeners that check for a variety of eye-related problems are particularly helpful for patients suffering from macular degeneration or any structural damage to the eye caused by an injury. Testing for general eye health is never a bad idea anyway, so many occupational therapists incorporate eye screenings into their general physical assessments in the initial appointments with patients.
Another medical screening used by occupational therapists is known as the AMPS test. This test measures the processing and motor skills of the patient. This test is essential in determining a patient’s starting point in the process of occupational therapy and helps throughout the process to determine when the therapy has completed its goals.
3. Physical Activity
Physical activity can aid patients in learning techniques to manage physical and mental limitations. The purpose of an occupational therapist is to help patients participate in activities of daily life, despite their mental and physical disabilities. One way to ensure participation in everyday life is to participate in physical activities.
An occupational therapist uses physical activity to push a patient above his or her comfort zone. This process allows the patient to discover his or her abilities and strive towards them. Even the most physically exhausted patients find the use of physical activity helpful in creating a new normal in life at any age.
4. Home Visits
Depending on the needs of the patient, occupational therapists may find home visits to be one of the most useful tools in their arsenal. Home visits allow the occupational therapist to help a patient at the heart of their environment, making real-life adjustments to the way they live, work, and function overall.
Home visits open the eyes of an occupational therapist to see what parts of daily life can change and what pieces need adaptations to make life more accessible. As with any skill set, working in a manufactured environment, such as an occupational therapist’s office, may not translate to skills within the home. Therefore, the ability to conduct home visits can provide an authentic look at life and the patient’s needs for the therapist.
5. Life Changes and Adaptions
Sometimes, the tools in an occupational therapist’s toolbox are more about changing a patient’s environment than learning to live within a non-functioning climate. Therefore, providing life changes and adapting an environment to fit the patient’s needs is crucial to the success of occupational therapy.
Small changes, such as an electric can opener or toothbrush, can make daily functions more accessible for some patients. Those with life changes due to strokes or cardiovascular disease may require the use of tools that can help compensate for the strength in their hands or body they may no longer have.
Sometimes more significant changes may be needed, such as installing a ramp or a chair lift. An occupational therapist can help guide a patient towards the installation of these tools and providing the necessary paperwork to obtain these tools through medical providers and insurance.
6. Patient-Centered Care
Perhaps the most effective technique used by occupational therapists is their emphasis on individualized treatment plans. The best occupational therapists tailor their approaches to each individual’s unique goals and objectives based on the activities he or she performs in daily life. Usually, a therapist spends time designing specific treatment protocols for patients that mimic the activities they ultimately want to participate in. This process can even take place in settings outside the clinic or in the patient’s home.
The goal is to ensure that the patient is able to transition from the therapeutic exercises to the real-world activities easily. Due to the practical, applicable nature of their treatment practices, occupational therapists are often well-positioned to be advocates for their patients and to provide encouragement. This advocacy is significant because some studies have shown that patients who maintain a positive outlook throughout their care can recover faster than those who don’t.
Contact the professionals at Depisteo to start your physical therapy journey.
You should mention any difficulties you have to your occupational therapist. No matter how small they seem, there may be all kinds of adapted equipment that can help.
Occupational therapists will suggest tools or pieces of equipment you may find helpful, like:
Many different techniques and equipment can be used as part of occupational therapy. Your occupational therapist will recommend techniques and equipment and discuss options.
Your occupational therapist will work with you to find practical solutions that can help you maintain, regain, or improve your independence. These solutions might involve changing your environment, or using different techniques and new equipment.
An occupational therapist will work with you to identify strengths and difficulties you may have in everyday life. This might include tasks like dressing or getting to the shops. They’ll work with you to find practical solutions.
Occupational therapy supports people whose health, environment or social circumstances make it difficult to take part in the activities that matter to them.
If your occupational therapist thinks you need equipment to help you, it can usually be provided free of charge on a long-term loan. However, different local authorities may charge for some pieces of equipment.
If you need equipment to help you carry out your work, the Access to Work scheme may be able to provide funding. Contact the disability employment adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus for advice and assistance, or see the GOV.UK website for information about Access to Work .
You may choose to buy your own equipment rather than use the equipment provided by your local council. If you’re going to buy your own equipment, it’s still a good idea to have an assessment by an occupational therapist. They can provide guidance on what equipment is most suitable and advise you on what is available.
You might need some equipment on a short-term basis – for example, because someone with a disability is visiting you. Your local British Red Cross can often lend you wheelchairs and other equipment for short periods of time.
Part of occupational therapy may involve making an environment suitable for your needs. This could be your home, workplace or where you’re studying, and may involve changes such as:
Grants may be available to help with the cost of adaptations. You should contact your local authority to find out if you’re eligible to receive these grants. The amount paid by a grant will depend on your income and outgoings. Visit the GOV.UK website for more information on Disabled Facilities Grants .
Larger, more expensive items and major adaptations may be the responsibility of the housing department. You may also need to contribute towards the cost of these items.
You may need adaptations made to your house. These changes may be carried out free of charge, but this will depend on your local authority.
Activity grading and graded exposure
Sometimes an occupational therapist may use activity grading to help you take part in an activity.
Activity grading is a way of breaking down an activity into more manageable steps.
For example, if your goal is to walk to work, but it is too far for you to do at once, this can be broken down.
On your first day, you could get the bus most of the way and then walk the last part. Each week, you could get off the bus a stop earlier and increase the distance you walk. The activity becomes increasingly difficult as you gradually reach your goal of walking to work.
As you become more confident with an activity, you can progress to the next stage and eventually reach your goal.
Graded exposure is similar to activity grading but is more focused on dealing with the emotional and psychological element of rehabilitation. It’s used to help gradually build your confidence and establish meaningful routines that you may have otherwise avoided.
Workplace rehabilitation
Workplace rehabilitation, or vocational rehabilitation, means helping someone with a health condition return to work or start working. It can also mean helping someone to carry on working. “Work” includes jobs that aren’t paid, such as being a full-time parent or a volunteer.
An occupational therapist can help by:
- assessing your workplace
- assessing your role at work
- assessing your ability to complete work activities, and finding ways to assist you
- finding ways to manage your condition while at work
- providing additional training
- finding a way to cope with problems like discrimination and prejudice
- helping your employers manage your return to work and increasing awareness of your condition
- monitoring your progress
- completing fit notes where appropriate
Leisure rehabilitation
Leisure rehabilitation covers any fun activity, such as your hobbies and social events.
Taking part in leisure activities can stop you feeling isolated because of your condition and improve your quality of life. While you need to be able to care for yourself and work, being able to take part in activities for fun is also important.
An occupational therapist may discuss what activities you enjoy and find practical ways to help you continue those activities.
For example, if you like going out to the shops but find it tiring, an occupational therapist may suggest a wheeled walker with a seat and basket. If you enjoy gardening but find some tasks difficult, an occupational therapist can identify easier ways of carrying out those tasks using different techniques and specially adapted gardening tools
Thinking about activities differently
An occupational therapist will look at the activity you’re finding difficult and see if there’s another way it can be completed.
For example, if you’re finding it difficult to peel and chop vegetables, perhaps you could buy vegetables that are already prepared, or perhaps there’s a small piece of equipment to help with chopping and peeling.
If you’re finding it difficult to walk to your local shop, there may be a bus that runs past your house, or you may be able to do your shopping on the internet.
If you’re finding it difficult to do the ironing, perhaps you could sit down while you iron.
Who can benefit from occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, including children. They look at all aspects of daily life, from the home, to school or the workplace.
Occupational therapy is used to treat and manage a wide range of conditions and needs. Some of these conditions include those that:
- are present from birth
- develop with age
- are the result of an accident
Occupational therapy is also used as part of a rehabilitation programme (a treatment programme that helps someone recover from illness or injury), for example after surgery or to treat depression.
