Circle Rehabilitation, Birmingham
Occupational therapists (OTs) & their role in rehabilitation
At Circle Rehabilitation, occupational therapy is integral to the rehabilitation process. It helps people overcome challenges and reach their full potential during rehabilitation. This allows then to return to everyday activities, if possible, after suffering from a health condition.
Our occupational therapists are skilled and experienced at dealing with a range of conditions. They provide high-quality care, tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
They assist patients in becoming more independent and enhancing the quality of the everyday life by working with the healthcare team.
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What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a form of healthcare that helps individuals of all ages achieve independence and improve their ability to perform daily physical activities or 'occupations.'
Occupational therapy helps people become more independent and improve their daily activities. It focuses on assisting individuals with physical, mental, or developmental challenges to enhance their abilities.
Occupational therapists work with patients to develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
Experience and best practice
Occupational therapy (OT) helps clients improve daily activities and become more independent. It involves several steps: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of interventions. We use these steps to create a personalised plan for each client. The goal is to help clients achieve greater independence in their daily lives.
Occupational therapy involves assessing needs, setting goals, implementing interventions, and evaluating progress to meet the client's needs. Here's an overview of the typical OT process:
- Assessment and evaluation
- Goal setting
- Treatment planning
- Intervention Implementation
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Re-evaluation and outcome measurement
- Discharge planning
- Follow-up
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Occupational therapists and rehabilitation
Occupational therapy (OT) plays an essential role in the rehabilitation process by focusing on helping people regain independence and improve daily activities. It is important for overall recovery and for improving daily life skills.
OT addresses physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges through personalised treatment plans.
By fostering a holistic approach, occupational therapists ensure that each patient receives comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.
The role of occupational therapy in rehabilitation
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Occupational therapists begin with a thorough assessment of the patient's physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities. This helps in setting realistic, personal goals tailored to the patient's specific needs and challenges.
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Occupational therapy helps improve skills needed for daily tasks like self-care and household chores. This includes tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, managing medications, and using transportation.
OT includes exercises to enhance strength, coordination, and endurance. This is particularly important for patients recovering from orthopaedic injuries, surgeries, or neurological conditions. This may involve managing muscle stiffness, therapy for hands, and providing splints for treating the arm.
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Occupational therapists help patients with brain injuries or strokes improve memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functioning skills through cognitive training.
They also provide support to address emotional and psychological challenges. This includes strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common in individuals undergoing rehabilitation.
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Therapists teach adaptive techniques and recommend assistive devices to help patients perform tasks more easily. This may include modified utensils for eating, dressing aids, or communication devices.
To ensure a safe and accessible environment, OT practitioners can also recommend modifications to the home or workplace. This can include installing grab bars, ramps, and adaptive furniture or rearranging spaces for better accessibility. Collaborating with the patient to make these adjustments can help them get back to their daily activities and return to work.
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OT involves educating patients and their families about the condition, treatment plan, and techniques to manage daily tasks effectively. This empowers patients and caregivers to take an active role in the rehabilitation process.
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OTs facilitates the patient's reintegration into the community by helping them engage in social, leisure, and work activities. This promotes a sense of normalcy and enhances quality of life.
Specific applications of OT in different rehabilitation contexts
Occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation
Occupational therapists help people with stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis improve movement, thinking, and adjust to physical challenges.
Orthopaedic rehabilitation
Post-surgery rehabilitation for joint replacements, fractures, or spinal surgeries focuses on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and preventing stiffness.
Geriatric rehabilitation
OTs help elderly patients stay independent and safe by addressing challenges like arthritis, balance problems, and cognitive decline.
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Improved functional independence
Patients regain the ability to perform essential daily tasks independently.
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Enhanced quality of life
By addressing both physical and psychological needs, OT helps improve overall well-being.
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Less chance of problems
Getting help early and using personalised treatment lowers the risk of other issues like falls or sores.
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Holistic approach
OT considers the patient's environment, personal goals, and lifestyle, ensuring a comprehensive and personalised rehabilitation plan.
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Empowerment and self-management
Patients learn to manage their condition well, which boosts their confidence and independence.
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Meet our OT team
Watch our video to find out more what our occupational therapists do.
You can also view a range of biographies for key members of staff to find out more about the multi-disciplined services that they provide.
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Find out more
Contact Circle Rehabilitation today to learn how we can improve your loved one's communication and quality of life.
