What Is Occupational Therapy?
Most people know about physical therapy services, but occupational therapy services may not be as well-known. Occupational therapy can go hand-in-hand with physical therapy, but it is also a very important and useful service all on its own.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a form of therapy that helps you adjust to your daily life. An occupational therapist will help you set goals and reach those goals. Occupational therapy is a way to help you adapt to life after an accident or even help children adapt at school.
What Does Occupational Therapy Help With?
Occupational therapy is a great tool to use when trying to get through day-to-day life as painlessly as possible.
Occupational therapy can help enable you to do the following:
- Bathe alone
- Complete cleaning tasks
- Eat without assistance
- Be active
- Maneuver a wheelchair
- Use braces
- Improve motor skills
If you've been injured and have to use a wheelchair, either temporarily or permanently, an occupational therapist can help teach you how to do this until you're comfortable. An occupational therapist will also teach you how to use any other new devices or technology you may need after the injury.
Who Needs Occupational Therapy?
You do not need to be injured to benefit from occupational therapy.
Anyone with any of the following conditions can also benefit:
- Arthritis
- Poor vision
- Behavior issues
- Disabilities, like cerebral palsy
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cancer
- Poor balance
- Burns
Benefits of Occupational Therapy
Besides being able to improve your motor function and skills, there are many other benefits to receiving occupational therapy services.
Those benefits can include:
- More independence
- Improved endurance
- Effective home modifications
- Improved strength
- Improved self-esteem
Where Can You Receive Occupational Therapy Services?
Occupational therapists can provide services at a home base or even travel to the patient. It entirely depends on the therapist.
You could receive occupational therapy at the following places:
- Your own home
- School
- Work
- Hospital
- Nursing home
- Rehab
- Clinics
How Much Does Occupational Therapy Cost?
Occupational therapy will most likely be more expensive if your therapist is employed through a hospital. It is possible to outsource your occupational therapy needs to agencies in your area that can send a therapist into your home. For your first visit or evaluation, it will cost between $150-$200. After that, the charges are anywhere between $50-$400 per hour. This will depend on where you live and if you hired a therapist through the hospital or a healthcare agency.