Occupational Therapy Basics

The primary goal of Occupational Therapy is to help patients and residents increase their independence and mobility in daily life along with preventing or minimizing disability. Consequently Occupational Therapy is often combined with other treatments like Physical Therapy or Speech Therapy.

Occupational Therapy programs are very structured and goal-oriented to meet very specific needs of a patient. OT Treatments can accomplish emotional well-being, independence, and an enhanced quality of life. Sometimes Occupational Therapy is referred to as teaching life skills. This includes activities of daily living, for example dressing, bathing, food preparation, and return from a care facility to the environment of a patient's own home following injury or illness.

Occupational Therapists are licensed health care professionals who have to obtain a high standard of education prior to practicing. The current minimum requirement is a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy and passing a national licensing examination.

Occupational Therapy treatments are usually prescribed by a physician. The Occpational Therapist then collects general information about the patient and evaluates areas of weekness or loss of function. If patients intend to return from a care facility to their own home, an Occupational Therapist may visit their home to assess the need of specific skills for this environment.