April is the month of many things: rain, spring, flowers, and baseball. But less commonly known, April is Occupational Therapy Month. Occupational therapy helps people with physical injuries, disabilities, or mental illnesses obtain the skills they need to function while recovering from or living with their condition. Occupational therapists can be found in hospitals, clinics, and other organizations across Carthage.
Occupational therapy is extremely important because it helps people facing physical and mental challenges learn or re-learn everyday skills to become productive members of society. They may re-learn skills like speaking, walking, reading, or writing, all of which are vital for independent living. Or they may work on memory or concentration skills that could help them succeed in the workplace. Fortunately or unfortunately, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” treatment approach. Patients who have been in mental hospitals will need different treatment plans than those who have been hospitalized after a car accident, so therapists and patients work closely together to find the right approach for the patient’s individual needs.
That being said, most therapists do follow the same steps to create a treatment plan regardless of the patient’s needs. Typically this begins with an individual evaluation, during which the therapist works with the patient and, if possible, their family to determine the patient’s current level of functioning and treatment goals. Then the therapist creates a customized treatment plan that seeks to improve the patient’s ability to perform daily activities, and the two work together to reach those goals over time. Finally, at the end of treatment or periodically throughout the treatment period, the therapist evaluates the patient’s progress and makes changes to the treatment plan, if needed.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the ability to live independently or to perform everyday tasks, Carthage Therapy Services can help. Our occupational therapists are available to help patients at area hospitals, local clinics, and other locations improve their quality of life. As we celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, we’d like to highlight a valued member of our team,Adah Poquette, OT. Adah is a talented therapist who is devoted to providing quality, compassionate care to patients at local hospitals and clinics. To schedule an appointment with Adah or one of our other therapists, contact Carthage Therapy Services.