Ask any doctor and they’ll agree on this.
The first thing patients or their family members ask is ‘When will I/they go back to being normal again?’
It’s a well-known fact that normalcy is a significant indicator of recovery and the primary objective of all treatment modules but what most of us are unaware of is the therapy that is responsible for achieving this goal.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), ‘Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living.’
The organization further states that “The therapy can help you participate in life activities (occupations) and provide recommendations for:
- Activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and eating)
- Adaptive equipment (such as shower chairs, or equipment to make daily tasks easier)
- Caregiver and family training
- Planning and making the most of daily routines
- Returning to work, school, and leisure activities
- Techniques to aid in memory, concentration, and executive functioning (e.g., planning and prioritizing, functional cognition)
- Falls prevention and home safety and accessibility
Who are Occupational Therapists?
Saisha Jain is a project lead at a multinational firm in Bengaluru. She recalls the time when her husband suffered a stroke and was asked to undergo stroke rehab to attain better functionality of daily tasks. It was the first time then she heard the term occupational therapy and was recommended to let her husband work closely with an occupational therapist. At first she thought she got the designation wrong, but eventually realized that she was about to collaborate with one of the most important healthcare professional who would help her husband return to normalcy.
An occupational therapist helps a person improve their ability to perform daily tasks. They teach people how to become independent again after an ailment, injury, or trauma that disrupts their daily routine and functionality. The therapists are not doctors and cannot diagnose any condition but they work together with the doctor and other specialists to initiate optimal recovery.
The activities they help in are:
- Wearing clothes and getting dressed.
- Consuming medicines.
- Shopping for daily requirements like groceries, toiletries, etc.
- Moving around, driving, or commuting.
- Using a computer or other gadgets.
The health conditions for which they are needed are:
- Fractures
- Burns.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Strokes.
- Amputation of limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Hand injuries.
They also work with people who have cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Down’s Syndrome, and people who have development delays.
An experienced and well-trained occupational therapist will work closely with the person and their family members if required to assess the situation accurately by inquiring about the history, and experiences and identify challenges faced by them. Next, they will highlight the focus areas, develop goals, and then formulate a well-crafted, individualized plan to achieve those goals, step by step as per the ability and limitations of the person. The therapist will then evaluate the outcome to ensure that the set goals are achieved or if the person needs a revised plan.
The Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
An occupational therapist works with the person and helps them to overcome mental and social challenges. They assist the person in performing their daily routine with everyday tasks and reclaiming their independence as much as possible.
Physical therapists on the other hand, usually treat a specific area or part of your body to enhance and improve physical mobility and address as well as manage symptoms like pain, stiffness, etc.
Rehabilitation usually involves both occupational and physical therapy simultaneously to manage various symptoms and achieve optimal recovery.
What Sets the Occupational Therapists Apart
Shubhomita Ghosh admitted her father to a rehabilitation center after he had multiple fractures due to a traumatic road accident. He had undergone multiple surgeries and found it challenging to walk, eat, and even brush his teeth says the 46-year-old software engineer in Hyderabad. She wondered if he would ever go back to his normal life given his condition. It was then that she was introduced to Raman Lal an occupational who took care of her father for six months. It was heartening to see the way he would tend to his needs patiently and gradually help him with his daily activities. It reminded Shubhomita of her early motherhood days when she had to be there and teach her toddler and assist them with all the basic activities.
“It’s a very noble profession that requires tremendous patience, willpower, and dedication,” she says.
Sukino has a team of experience occupational therapists who work round the clock to ensure that people with different health conditions and injuries are comfortable and inspired to bounce back from their setbacks and enjoy the freedom of their independence once again.
