April is Occupational Therapy Month!

At HaysMed, we’re incredibly grateful for our dedicated Occupational Therapy team who play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of our patients every day. Whether it’s helping individuals regain independence in daily activities or overcoming barriers to participation, our OTs are the unsung heroes behind countless success stories.

This month, we celebrate their unwavering commitment and expertise in improving patients’ abilities to perform activities of daily living. From mental and physical rehabilitation and support, their impact knows no bounds. Thank you, OT team, for your tireless dedication to making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

 

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

Occupational therapy allows people of all ages to do the activities they want and need to do. Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation.  An occupational therapist will evaluate your situation and, with input from you (and perhaps your family, care provider, or friend), develop individualized goals that allow you to resume or pursue your valued occupations. After you develop goals with your occupational therapist, you will work together to decide a plan to help improve or maintain your ability to perform daily activities and reach your goals getting back to your life.

 

WHEN DO I NEED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

An occupational therapy practitioner will keep the focus on the things you need and want to do—your goals, your activities, your independence. With occupational therapy services you can:

• Stay as healthy and productive as possible at work or home, while managing a chronic medical condition.

• Maintain or rebuild your independence, such as using assistive devices to help care for yourself after a stroke or surgery.

• Achieve your goals to perform everyday activities after injury or hospitalization, such as dressing, grooming, transfers, and balance activities to increase safety and decrease risk for re-injury.

• Participate in everyday activities important to you that keep you involved in your community and make like worth living including taking care of your family, working, volunteering, going to school, playing sports, or creating art or music.

In short, an occupational therapy practitioner can help you live life to its fullest no matter your health condition, disability, or risk factors.

 

WHO ARE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS?

Occupational therapy practitioners are either occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. They are skilled health care professionals who use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective.

YOUR HAYSMED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS and OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS: 

Melissa Ginther, OTR/L (28 years)

Brett Johnson, OTR/L (20 years)

Alison Nuttle, OTR/L (11 years)

Leslie Olmstead, OTR/L (26 years)

Alicia Rymer, OTR/L (27 years)

Arian Schipke, OTR/L (1 year)

Lashelle Schroter, COTA (17 years)

Diane Staples, COTA (2 years)

 

To read more about HaysMed’s rehabilitation services, please click here.