Celebrate Occupational Therapy Month in April - Passion. Purpose. Possibility.

posted by Ashley Betz-Jones on Thursday, April 22, 2021

April is National Occupational Therapy Month. Here at Spencer Hospital, occupational therapists work with individuals to regain function to be independent with their everyday tasks. An "occupation" is not just a job, it is the activities you do every day. For a child, an occupation may be feeding themselves. For a teenager, it may be a leisure activity of playing basketball. For an adult, it may be balancing a checkbook; and, for an older adult, it may be dressing and bathing. Despite the variety of ages and "occupations," occupational therapists work with individuals to improve their strength, motion, cognition, and development to improve their skills to live life to its fullest.

Occupational Therapy:

• Is working collaboratively with people to facilitate independence and wellness in an individual's life.
• Is a "client-centered" approach to achieve everyday health through functional activities.
• Assists people of all ages with disabilities to become independent in their daily activities.
• Promotes health and well-being of individuals in society through participation in meaningful occupation.
• Is the promotion of lifelong health and well-being to facilitate productive living.
• Means improving the quality of life by positively affecting everyday activities.
• Is practitioners helping individuals develop skills necessary to perform daily activities.
• Provides the tools to break down barriers to an individual's independence.
• Provides you with a balance of independence at home, at work, and at play.
• Teaches skills for the job of living.

If you or someone you know would benefit from occupational therapy, please contact the Spencer Hospital Occupational Therapy Department at (712) 264-6189 or visit SpencerHospital.org/OT.

1. rehab
2. therapy
3. wellness