Occupational Therapy Helps Individuals Live Life to Its Fullest

Lindsborg News Record, January 2011

April is Occupational Therapy Month

Occupational therapy enables people of all ages live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, prevent-or live better with-injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice deeply rooted in science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience, and "best practices" that have been developed and proven over time.

The Lindsborg Community Hospital's rehab department offers occupational therapy services through a partnership with Rehab Visions to assist outpatients and inpatients in their recovery and rehabilitation from illness or injury. Visiting therapists make twice weekly visits to see area patients.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on "doing" whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the individual. The purpose of occupational therapy is to get beyond problems to the solutions that assure living life to its fullest. These solutions may be adaptations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or helping individuals to alter their own behaviors.

When working with an occupational therapist, strategies and modifications are customized for individuals to resolve problems, improve function, and support everyday living activities. The goal is to maximize potential. Through therapeutic approaches, occupational therapy helps individuals design their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their home, school or work environment and build health-promoting habits and routines that will allow them to thrive.

By taking the full picture into account-a person's psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment-occupational therapy help clients achieve the following:

  • Function at the highest possible level
  • Concentrate on what matters most to them
  • Maintain or rebuild independence
  • Participate in daily activities they need or want to do.

If you or a family member could benefit from the specialty services provided by an occupational therapist, ask your physician for a referral. Referrals from any licensed Kansas physicians are accepted. For more information, call 785-227-3308.