Occupational Therapy can be analysed by examining the meaning of two words “occupation” and “therapy”.
Occupation means an activity in which one engages.
Therapy means treatment of illness or disability.
Thus, the term Occupational Therapy meant to convey i.e. practice involve & that of illness or disability through the analysis & uses of the occupations which fills a person’s time-space & engage the individual in an activity.
AIOTA ( All India Occupational Therapist’s Association ) –
OT is the art (creativity) & science (technology) of directing means participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, & enhance performance, facilitate learning of the skills & functions essential for adaptation & productivity, diminish or correct pathology & promote & maintain health.
Occupational Therapy is a client-centred and holistic approach.
Areas of practice –
1. Paediatric – Occupational Therapist works with some paediatric conditions like :
* Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
* Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
* Cerebral Palsy (CP)
* Learning Disorder (LD)
* Congenital anomalies like congenital hip dislocation, congenital flat foot, neural tube defects, etc.
* Down syndrome
* Intellectual Disability
* Developmental delay milestones, etc.
2. Neurology – Occupational therapist deals with neurological conditions like :
* Traumatic Brain Injury or Head Injury
* Spinal Cord Injury
* Neurodegenerative conditions like Multiple sclerosis, GBS, Parkinsonism, etc.
* Hydrocephalus
* Poliomyelitis
* Cerebrovascular accident or Stroke
* Muscular Dystrophies
* Peripheral Nerve Injuries
* Dysphagia & Dysphasia, etc.
3. Orthopaedic – Conditions in which occupational therapist helps :
* Rheumatoid Arthritis
* Osteoporosis
* Osteo Arthritis
* Spondylosis, & Spondylolisthesis
* PIVD
* Low Back Pain, etc.
4. Mental Health – Occupational therapists can help the patients with behaviour control, safety precautions, and getting them back into their daily routines.
5. Cardiac – Occupational Therapists can work with people of all ages and abilities to assist with cardiac rehabilitation in hospital & community settings. Those working in these areas of expertise aim to support clients through gradual activity progression for increased participation in safe and healthy lifestyle behaviours to achieve self-care performance and participation in everyday occupations.
6. Community Health – Occupational Therapists work with people living in the community, enabling participation every day resulting in maximised independence and enhanced wellbeing.
7. Disability – Occupational therapists work with disabilities to manage everyday occupations to establish independence and improve their quality of lifestyle. Working in the community and hospital settings, OT provides assistance through developing programs of support within a client’s personal network as well as prescribing aids and environmental modifications.
8. Environmental Modification – Occupational therapists working in the home and environmental modifications work with clients to improve the quality of life for older adults in their home environment so that they can continue to safely and independently stay in their home as they age. Modifications may include changes to the structural, layout, or design of a home to improve the accessibility and liability of a client’s home.
9. Palliative care – It is an approach that aims to improve quality of life by addressing the emotional, physical, practical & spiritual aspects of cancer for patients & their families who are facing life-threatening illness. Occupational therapist provide relief from symptoms such as:-
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Pain
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Fatigue
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Insomnia
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Fear
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Depression
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Assist in coordinating services that pertain to legal, financial & employment concerns.
Palliative care is available from the time of diagnosis through cancer treatment & beyond including the transition to end-of-life care.
In palliative care, the occupational therapist may assist in:-
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Promoting positioning for comfort.
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Providing treatment to prevent or relieve pain.
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Promoting engagement in an activity that is physically tolerable.
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Creating an opportunity to resolve life issues is critical.
10. Hospice care – Home care hospice occurs in the home of the dying person or a significant other who is caring for the dying person in the final stages of life. Occupational therapist involved in hospice care may intervene directly with the person who is dying or indirectly with families, volunteers & caregivers as educators, trainers & intermediaries to improve the quality of life of the who is dying & those around them.
Occupational Therapist’s role in hospice care-
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To adapt to the environment
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Train caregivers to assist with daily life tasks
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Counsel for psychological or emotional issues related to the disease process
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Provide assistance with issues concerning death & dying
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Occupational therapists conduct hone assessments to foster client independent s the client experiences changes because of either the cancer treatment or the course of the disease.
11. Assistive technology and adaptive equipment-
Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether purchased commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities.
The terms assistive technology, adaptive equipment, and assistive devices are generally used interchangeably throughout the profession. Adaptive equipment is used to compensate for physical limitation, promote safety, and prevent joint injury.
Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) provide a bridge between an individual with limited functions and an electrical device such as a telephone or door operator. 30 Physical limitations may include a loss of muscle strength, loss of range of motion (ROM), incoordination, or sensory loss.
An example of using adaptive equipment to improve safety is the use of a bed or door alarm to alert a caregiver that a patient with impaired cognition and poor balance is wandering. The use of adaptive equipment to prevent joint injury is indicated for the person with rheumatoid arthritis, such as a built-up handled eating utensil.
12. Vocational rehabilitation-
An occupational therapist helps in vocational rehabilitation also. Vocational rehabilitation is a process that enables persons with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive and emotional impairments or health and disability to overcome barriers to accessing Singh, maintaining or returning to employment or other useful occupation.
