The Importance Of Occupational Therapy

As occupational therapy services diversified, serving a variety of clients in many different settings and with societal influences, the field began to evolve. During the 1990s occupational therapists began to shift away from reductionist medical model toward a more holistic client-centered approach. Services focused on enhancing individuals’ quality of life across the lifespan meaning before, during, and after therapeutic intervention. The profession began to better acknowledge the value of client education, injury and illness prevention, health screening, and health maintenance (Cole & Tufano, 2008). The field created more preventative initiatives, and focused services on improving quality of life and optimizing the independence of

In practice, occupational therapists may use one or more frames of reference to help guide them as they plan out interventions and goals. Two examples of the frames of reference used are the cognitive behavioral frame of reference and the biomechanical/rehabilitative frame of reference. The cognitive behavioral frame of reference looks at how thoughts and behaviors affect the participation or performance of occupations (Cole & Tufano, 2008; Davis, Eshelman, & McKay, 2008; Giles, 2003). The biomechanical/rehabilitative frame of reference involves the establishment or restoration of functional skills; however, if full establishment or restoration is not possible, the modification of tasks or environments is also included (Cole & Tufano, 2008).

To be able to participate in one 's own life, to do the things we want to do, and to competently perform the activities that form part of our daily, weekly or monthly routines, is a common goal for most people.  This not only includes taking part in the basic activities of self-care, such as grooming and dressing, but also extends to our work and leisure activities.  It is through doing things that we learn and develop as human beings.  The occupational therapy profession believes that being prevented or hindered in some way from participating in the activities that are important to us could adversely affect our health and wellbeing.

Occupational therapists work with clients to restore independence that has been lost or disrupted due to illness, injury, or disease. Occupational therapy practice involves assessing and determining an appropriate treatment approach based on the client’s disability and individual needs. There are various occupation-based models, each client-centered and grounded in theory, that guide the clinical treatment process. In addition, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (3rd ed.; AOTA, 2014) denotes various frames of reference to guide therapists when choosing specific intervention strategies based on the client’s needs (Cole & Tufano, 2018). This paper focuses on the application of the Occupation Adaption model,

Occupational therapy was founded on the principle that participation in meaningful activity is important to the health of individuals. Mental health is very important to the well-being of an individual and those around them. 450 million people experience mental and neurological disorders around the world. These disorders are the leading 5-10 causes of disability worldwide. As services for individuals with mental illness have shifted from the hospital to the community, there has also been a shift in the philosophy of service delivery. In the past, there was an adherence to the medical model; now the focus is on incorporating the recovery model. (2) Occupational therapy’s focus that taking part in engaging and meaningful activities benefits the mental well-being of the individual.

Through the almost 100 years of occupational therapy as a profession, occupational therapy have gone from a profession focused only on the mentally ill patient to a profession that is targeting a broad range of population ranging from the special needs population, to veterans, and people with different diseases and physical disabilities or injuries. It is inspirational to know that this profession started based on the ideology that “even the most challenged are entitled to consideration and human compassion” (O'Brien, 2012). Likewise, it is fascinating that occupational therapy played such an important role in both of the world war as reconstruction aides focusing on rehabbing the soldiers and helping veterans recover during post-war period

Occupational Therapy is a vital segment of the health care field. Individuals in this profession make a difference in the lives of others by helping their patients function effectively despite their disability, illness, or injury. They help by teaching patients many activities of daily living tasks which can include, grooming, toileting, dressing, eating, mobility, and much more! Along with the daily living tasks, Occupational Therapy helps individuals to be productive and successful in ways they want to be, like going school, taking care of others, managing their homes, preparing meals. Most importantly, they help their patients adapt to their environments and increase their independent function by helping them perform tasks with as little help from others as possible. Without Occupational Therapy, some patients with temporary disabilities could have a permanent disability. If individuals receive the Occupational treatments, they can prevent the loss of function.

Occupational Therapy is a health, wellness, and rehabilitation profession devoted to the development of performance and function across their lifetime so that individuals can live their life to the fullest. The holistic approach taken by occupational therapy practitioners is particularly effective in the areas of wellness, health promotion, and prevention. The practice of occupational therapy can take place in health care and education settings, and in community based agencies and organizations. The timing is excellent for occupational therapy in the area of wellness and prevention. Occupational Therapy practitioners administer habilitation and rehabilitation services, which are among the fundamentals health benefits of the

Occupational Therapy is a health, wellness and rehabilitation profession devoted to the development of performance and function across their lifetime so that individuals can live their life to the fullest. The holistic approach taken by occupational therapy practitioners is particularly effective in the areas of wellness, health promotion, and prevention. The practice of occupational therapy can take place in health care and education settings, and in community based agencies and organizations. The timing is excellent for occupational therapy in the area of wellness and prevention. Occupational Therapy practitioners administer habilitation and rehabilitation services, which are among the fundamentals health benefits of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, occupational therapy’s holistic approach correlates the ACA’s focus on wellness and prevention. By focusing on wellness, managing chronic, improving function, and supporting independence, occupational therapy practitioners can assist the interprofessional leading care team enhance outcomes while reducing costs. This paragraph states the role of an occupational therapist in Health Care Reform (www.aota.org).

What intrigues me most in the field of Occupational Therapy is that I could make a positive impact in the lives of others. An occupational therapist can help a patient revitalize their physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities, and develop or restore its functionality through continuous practice and effort. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than to see an individual achieving the greatest possible independence. This train of thought arose when I observed an occupational therapist working with my mother to return her arm to feeling normal again after her accident.

Occupational therapists help all ages improve their daily activities. This specific therapy helps rehabilitate people who need “specialized assistance to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives due to physical, developmental, social, or emotional problems” (Ithaca College). The therapists create different exercises for each individual patient to help them develop their skills or learn how to decrease future injury.

Occupational therapy has been in the process of continued development since the 1900’s. With several contributors helping to build the groundwork for creating the awareness needed to bring occupational therapy into the field of health care. Continued research is contributing to the ongoing significance of how occupational therapy is a vital aspect in promoting increased independences in all aspects of healthcare. (Willard, Schell, 2014) With the incorporation of “Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Domain and Process (3rd ed.)” helps creates the foundation for occupational therapy clinicians as well as other health care providers in facilitating the core believe of occupational and the relationship of health and occupation. (AOTA 2014) Therefore, providing a uniform outline of the various aspects of each individual and how they are interconnected to create the foundation of each individual. With a greater understanding of the foundations of that induvial, the clinician can then facilitate the best therapeutic treatment plan for that individual to achieve their personal goals with unified foundations of care.

Alcohol, pain relievers, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and meth are all forms of substance abuse. Any type of substance abuse can eventually take over the mind and body of the person suffering for this condition. According to The American Occupational Therapy Association fact sheet on overcoming drug and alcohol abuse, “over time, daily occupations can be negatively affected by substance use, impacting relationships, work performance, and daily routines that support health and effective coping (AOTA).” Most people with a substance abuse disorder often end up in and out of jail because they do not know any other way. Therefore, occupational therapy is a great way to help someone who is recovering from substance abuse to adjust to living a drug free lifestyle and finding new outlets to turn

Just thinking about what my first years as a occupational therapist, it makes me think about the two most challenging challenges I will have. One of the challenges I think I will have been knowing how to pay for my graduate school, I think this will be a challenge because so far my mom is paying for my college with the help of a little bit of financial aid I got. By the time I begin my career as an occupational therapist my sister will be in her first year of college and we will have less money. I’m determined to look for help, I plan to go to graduate school and money can’t stop me because I know there is a lot of help out there that will help me accomplish my dreams. Another challenge I think I will have to overcome as I start my career is

According to Ridner et al. (2014), lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes permanent damage to the lymphatic system. It is incurable, but can be effectively managed by comprehensive complete decongestive therapy with the goal of decreasing the limb volume to normal or near normal (Lawenda, Mondry, & Johnstone, 2009; Ridner et al., 2014; Rockson, 2016). According to (Lawenda, Mondry, & Johnstone, 2009), the lack of effective early lymphedema management results in increased swelling, fibrotic skin changes, pain, paresthesia, and infections. Moreover, Lawenda et al. (2009) stated that early intervention decreases the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is critical to provide early lymphedema intervention to help to promote quality of life, and decrease functional disability, psychosocial deficits, and complications that may be life threatening among the clients who are impacted by lymphedema (Lawenda et al., 2009). Lymphedema is treated by a lymphedema specialist with physician orders to evaluate and treat lymphedema (Rockson, 2016).