The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1993-1994 (1-3. szám)

1994-03-01 / 2. szám

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by Lynn Kraft, COTAIL and Joni Beckman, OTR/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MEANS FREEDOM THROUGH FUNCTION

A child is born with cerebral palsy. A teen receives a spinal cord injury in an auto accident. A young mother is hospitalized with depression. A construction worker is off the job with recurring back pain. An elderly widower refuses to eat or leave the home after a stroke. What do each of these situations have in common? Each one is an example of an individual who can benefit from occupational therapy to regain independence and function as a productive member of society.

The treatment provided by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants is based upon learning by doing. Here are some ways OT’s and OTA’s help their clients regain freedom through function:

• Microswitches and battery-operated toys provided by occupational therapist help the child with cerebral palsy to acquire the play skills critical to learning.

• Occupational therapy for the teen with a spinal cord injury may include preparing for personal independence, including driving an adapted automobile.

• Coping with mental illness, at any age, often requires the help of occupational therapy to structure daily responsibilities and access available resources.

• For the older individual, occupational therapy uses home visits to uncover environmental barriers and to identify community resources to support independence.

Everyone receiving occupational therapy enjoys an individually tailored program. The goal is for the clientto becomeas independent as possible in doing the daily tasks most important to him or her. That could be as simple as brushing teeth or as complex as returning to a demanding job. Each therapist has a thorough understanding of how the human body and mind function together and how illness affects that function.

A powerful testimonial to the effectiveness of occupational therapy is the fact that it is listed as an essential service in the package of health care benefits being proposed under health care reform as a guaranteed right for every American.

Pictured: Resident Helen Percha and OT Therapist Lynn Kraft

Resident Ethel Kozenko and OT Therapist Lynn Kraft enjoy one of their many sessions.

Resident Dave Nixon (center) doesn’t mind the OT program as long as he can spend some time with Lynn and Coreena Stiffler, Restorative Nursing Coordinator.