Let’s celebrate occupational therapists

Someone recovering from a broken hip who had to learn how to get in and out of a car again can thank an occupational therapist.

A formerly homeless vet who acclimated to life in permanent supportive housing can thank an occupational therapist.

A student with a disability who can manage better in school can also thank an occupational therapist.

Occupational therapy (OT) is one of those health professions that doesn’t get much in the way of recognition, but the field is critically important. An occupational therapist helps individuals relearn, refine and maximize their motor and cognitive skills in order to help them remain as independent and injury-free as possible. In short, they empower everyday living.

April is Occupational Therapy Month and a good time to shine a spotlight on these professionals.

“Occupational therapy” sounds like it’s associated with workplace skills, so the name can be confusing. It’s practiced in any number of places: hospitals, VA clinics, state and local agencies, nursing homes, rehab centers, mental health facilities and schools. Therapists are board-certified and must hold at least a master’s degree in the field, although occupational therapist assistants can join the profession with an associate degree from an accredited community college program.

And I see a great demand for them as many of my private patient advocacy clients recover from illnesses and strokes or learn to live with debilitating conditions. In fact, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) projected a 16% job growth for OTs from 2019 to 2029.

Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping people overcome injuries or physical limitations to ensure that they can participate in their daily routines, or the tasks that “occupy” them. OTs are holistic practitioners and problem solvers who work with people of any age to help them maintain, regain or improve their independence.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy both help improve quality of life, but there are differences. Physical therapy (PT) helps with pain, strength, range of motion, endurance and large-muscle movements. Occupational therapy helps with fine motor skills of hands, fingers and toes; visual perception skills; cognitive skills; and sensory processing.

Their work begins with an assessment, but they take a collaborative approach, first determining what independence means to their client and what is important to them.

They take note of the client’s ability to accomplish the activities of daily living, which include bathing, dressing, feeding, hygiene, sleep and functional mobility. In addition, the therapist might need to address a client’s concerns about caring for children, managing a home and accessing transportation.

Then they design activities, try out various assistive devices and assign exercises to improve motor skills, coordination, balance, strength, cognition, self-care and more. They may also suggest modifications to client’s home to help them live more independently.

They may even work with a workplace or school to implement accommodations or modifications with the goal of supporting their client. Some OTs specialize in children with developmental or physical disabilities to help them improve social skills, manage stress and more fully participate in games and activities.

My favorite aunt was a nurse, and she inspired me to join the profession. Many OTs are also inspired by personal experiences. A recently graduated occupational therapy assistant says watching health care professionals care for her father left her wanting the ability to “affect the physical and mental well-being of a person, whether elderly or young.”

“I made the choice that I wanted to have numerous opportunities to help people regain wellness and continue with a healthy and purposeful life,” she says. “Occupational therapy treats the whole person and engages them in work, self-care and play so that the deficit or disability can have the lowest possible effect.”

Improvements in health care and better emergency care mean that a lot of people who, even 10 years ago, might have died from a stroke, heart attack, cancer or other degenerative conditions are surviving for years, sometimes decades. They deserve to live their best possible lives as independently as possible.

I consider occupational therapists some of the unsung heroes of health care. They are creative and compassionate and they thrive on finding ways to make real improvements in their clients’ lives.

Has an occupational therapist touched your life in some way? April is a good time to say “thanks.”

• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg is a board-certified patient advocate. A critical care registered nurse for 30+ years, she is founder of NShore Patient Advocates (www.NorthShoreRN.com). Her book, “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” is available on Amazon. She is offering a free phone consultation to Daily Herald readers; email her at Teri@northshorern.com.