Valuable Services Are Offered By Occupational Therapists In Alberta

By Rachael Gutierrez


Occupational therapy is a much needed treatment for people of all ages with physical, mental or developmental disabilities. Due to illness or injury, individuals can lose their work skills. Occupational therapists in Alberta can assist such patients to regain some or all of these skills.

Occupational therapy is a kind of therapy for those suffering from conditions that affect their mental or physical capabilities or development in a negative way. Treatment of this type assists those in this category to complete activities such as eating or dressing, as well as perform mental exercises designed to increase brain function if this is necessary. In some cases, injured individuals must regain strength in their muscles, and relearn certain activities. Such therapy is designed to help patients in this category to reach their goals.

Occupational therapists frequently use adaptive equipment to assist clients to perform certain exercises for the purpose of combating the effects of an injury or illness. The routine recommended will depend on which activities the person is struggling with on a regular basis. As mentioned earlier, adaptive devices may also be prescribed for patients who need to relearn specific activities or strengthen certain muscle groups in their body.

The amount of time a person may need such therapy will vary greatly from one patient to the next. It will also depend on the type of injury or illness from which the individual is suffering. Certain people only need a few weeks or months of treatment, such as those who were injured in an automobile accident. Others, such as those with severe mental disorders, may require years of treatment in order to enjoy the full benefits of the therapy.

There are many different types of occupational therapy. Such therapy can be administered in schools, where developmentally delayed youngsters are treated by therapists, whose goal is to enhance the child's mental health. Rehabilitation centers usually have such therapists on staff as well, for the purpose of helping patients to perform daily tasks that they can no longer complete because of their injuries.

Mental health facilities often employee therapists of this kind as well. Patients are taught to engage in positive behavior and develop coping skills to use on a day-to-day basis. An occupational therapist may also work in a nursing home, where he or she assists elderly individuals to function at an optimum level, regardless of their age or level of physical fitness.

Reading online reviews about various therapists is always a good idea, as this way one can discover the overall patient satisfaction level associated with a certain practitioner or facility. Any professional who has a record of complaints or a history of dissatisfied clients should be taken off the prospective patient's list. In addition, it is wise to choose a practitioner with whom one can establish a positive rapport.

Getting a referral from one's doctor is the best avenue through which to find a suitable therapist. In most cases, those who seek the services of occupational therapists in Alberta can anticipate a better quality of life. Therefore, anyone who feels he or she would benefit from such therapy should speak to his or her family doctor about scheduling an appointment at such a facility.




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