Occupational Therapy

In general, the Occupational Therapy (OT) program at MRSI is based on the belief that individuals who have or are suffering from a disease or trauma process can learn to maximize their ability to function with regard to performing their important Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Often this requires learning new, or relearning old, lost skills. Clients disabled by disease processes, or trauma may have physical, or mental deficits, or possibly a combination of these. Occupational therapy may involve focus on improving cognitive skills, physical abilities, or teaching a client to use some form of adaptive, or assistive equipment. The primary goal is always a measurable improvement in the individual’s level of independence, again, in terms of the ability to perform self-care and other necessary ADL. Often clients find OT activities difficult at first. Just as often, it soon becomes a very rewarding experience for both the client and OT, when clients begin to realize that they can once again, or for the first time, perform activities with little or no outside assistance.

The functional focus of OT can vary widely, but begins at a sufficiently appropriate level of challenge to ensure skill improvement. For instance, at a basic cognitive level OT activities may attempt to increase a person’s alertness level, which may be followed later by activities which focus on improving attention-span and then memory, in that order. A sensory activity may be selected, for example, having a client listen to taped sounds (alerting). This may be followed by having the client identify the specific sounds (attention). Stating, or listing the order of the sounds (memory) would follow. Therapy might later progress to higher level cognitive challenges to improve a client’s ability to plan activities, properly sequence activities, identify mistakes and difficulties, problem solve, and go on to apply these improved skills to their ADL performance. Activities selected by the OT are chosen for having some relevance to the client’s life, or when this may not be possible, the OT and client will collaborate in order to determine which activity interests the client has. In this way, therapy is more likely to be an enjoyable process for the client and guarantee fuller client participation.

Physical deficits may be addressed by joint range of motion, balance, fine and gross motor, strength, and endurance improvement activities. When certain lost physical abilities are not restorable adaptive equipment may be called for. These can range from wheelchairs with special attachments to meet mobility needs, to special bathing and toileting supplies, to special eating dishes and utensils. Clients are assessed for such needs, when appropriate, and taught the proper use and care of such items by the OT.

The Occupational Therapy Program aim at MRSI is to offer a service which the client first demonstrates a need for, and further, shows direct benefit from receiving. When the client has received maximum benefit, OT service is discontinued.