April is OT Month

 

Maria Parham Medical Center is proud to have a team of 5 occupational therapists (OTs) and one occupational therapy assistant (OTA) on staff to assist patients of all ages and from all walks of life in meeting their full rehabilitation potential. People of any age can sustain injuries, develop various diseases or suffer from strokes.   The severity of the incident can mildly or severely impair their ability to perform daily activities like walking, talking, and driving. Rehabilitation therapies, like occupational therapy, are often needed to facilitate their return to a more active and normal life.   

 

OTs and OTAs provide skilled therapeutic services to patients both during and after their hospital stay. The therapists work directly with inpatients on the medical and surgical units and may continue care after they are discharged if the doctor thinks it is appropriate. The hospital has an eleven bed inpatient rehabilitation center for intense and comprehensive therapy services. They also offer home health therapy and provide two outpatient rehabilitation centers. Occupational therapists at Maria Parham work in all these areas of the hospital.

 

 

OTs and OTAs focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the individual. This, in turn, restores their independence and enhances their quality of life. Kerry Rubio, Director of Rehabilitation Services, said “Occupational Therapists teach ways to compensate for disabilities, such as dressing with one hand, learning to write with the other hand and using devices and appliances that make routine tasks easier.” She mentions that they also teach patients activities that will re-educate and use impaired muscle groups. This, in turn, allows a person to return to performing daily occupations. 

 

“Occupational therapy strives to help people return to purposeful and meaningful lives after injury or impairment, and we recognize and especially thank our OT staff during the month of April,” states Rubio.

 

For more information about the occupational therapy program at Maria Parham Medical Center, visit www.mariaparham.org. For more information about occupational therapy, go to www.aota.org.