Occupational therapy is a type of care that helps you live better across a lifetime of care. During OT Month, CORA Physical Therapy is celebrating its incredible human impact.
Take a quick inventory of your physical abilities. Is there anything that you’d like to do better, or feel better about while doing? Perhaps something that you used to do but can’t do anymore?
Occupational therapy (OT) is rooted in the most practical application of care, and could be the key to getting not just the most years out of life, but also the most life out of your years. It focuses on improving Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as getting dressed (ADL), bathing and toileting (ADL), meal preparation (IADL). The third and final component of OT is participation in occupational roles or engagements such as attending school or church.
It’s an important role for therapists and caregivers with an emphasis to facilitate safety and independence in your life or in the lives of loved ones.
At CORA Physical Therapy, we’re working through National Occupational Therapy Month to change the conversation from, “Is OT right for me?” to understanding the very many ways in which you can benefit from OT.
The ideal OT patient is anyone with a desire to move freely. This starts with assistance to reach the earliest of developmental milestones after birth, with benefits extending into the twilight of life.
The key for getting the most out of OT services is continuity of care, treating deficiencies before they become a problem and optimizing your body to meet the needs of a changing life.
Here’s what that can look like for each member of your family and social circle:
OT for Children and Adolescents
Occupational therapy has many practical applications for children as young as one month old, including teaching the spatial skills for body control, rolling over, crawling, eating and gripping objects. These skills can be used to help accelerate a patient through any developmental delay, or can be used to treat such conditions as cerebral palsy and birth defects.
What might be less understood is that OT plays a role in early identification of mental health and behavioral disorders as well. Using highly individualized and multi-modal care, occupational therapists can collaborate with parents, caregivers and teachers to provide sensory breaks, time processing, task management and organization skills. These and similar interventions have shown success in treating ADHD, OCD, ASD and more.
CORAkids pediatric care is about more than “kid-sizing” our adult treatment options. Our fully customized approach puts your child’s unique needs at the forefront of our integrated care options, offering specific services for more than 20 common childhood disorders.
OT for Adults and Professionals
The key to achieving continuity of care with adults is by building trust in each step of the way. Whether treatment is for work-related injuries, post-surgical recovery, long-term illness or injury, the keys are transparency and measurable results.
How quickly should you expect to see positive results from OT? That usually depends on your needs and expectations. Some ailments and disorders can be fixed on a predictable timeline, while others are unique to the individual.
There is also a psychological element to treatment, with the World Health Organization noting: “People with complex needs place more value on continuity than on speed of access, unless they are consulting for a new problem or appointment times are directed by other commitments,” such as insurance or professional leave policies. Meeting personal milestones can have a profound impact on whether a patient perceives a treatment to be effective.
Regardless of your OT needs, CORA is committed to working with your schedule and insurance coverage, providing the best quality of care at our 225+ locations, at-home care, and TeleHealth services.
OT for Elderly Care
Despite being physical in nature, OT outcomes have strong ties to self-esteem and self-confidence, which are the key ingredients to autonomy among elderly patients.
In other words, building practical physical skills has as much to do with belief as it does ability. If a senior patient with diminished physical abilities starts to see improved performance and confidence, then studies have shown a decreased need for other life services, medication or treatment.
Unfortunately, the inverse is also true. Senior patients who pursue OT for a limited amount of time in a limited setting will also see ability and confidence diminish when care is complete. The key to sustained independence is through regular OT interventions, which increase physical ability, self-esteem and confidence.
CORA’s Senior Care Program focuses on functional independence, treating a complex combination of health issues with a preventative frame of mind. We also work seamlessly with Medicare and other insurance companies.
Ready to Serve You with Passion and Purpose
At CORA, we’re ready to serve your needs with passion and purpose. Our goal is to provide the highest possible quality of care within the coverage that you have available. Having trouble deciding which options are best for you? Please contact our team at [email protected] with any questions, or schedule a free screening today.
