How does occupational therapy help me with activities of daily living?

Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the cartilage that supports and cushions the joints of the hands, spine, hips and knees wears away, causing bones to rub against each other. This leads to debilitating pain, stiffness and reduced mobility that can make it difficult to perform activities of daily living.

An occupational therapist (OT) can recommend adjustments to furniture and fixtures, to make it easier and safer for you to get around the home and perform daily tasks without assistance. The OT may suggest moving furniture to create plenty of space to walk around, adding a non-slip carpet pad or double-sided tape to the underside of a rug to keep the edges from curling up, removing clutter from the floor and keeping lamp cords tucked away, making sure rooms and stairways are well-lit, and adding back and neck support to chairs, sofas and beds.

Occupational therapists may also recommend installing a raised toilet seat, replacing your tub with a walk-in model or with a shower stall, and adding sturdy handrails on staircases and in bathrooms. 

Occupational therapists can help people of all ages and with an almost unlimited range of diagnoses, not just osteoarthritis or dysfunctions in fine motor skills. OTs study the relationship between health and activities:  how changes in health can change or limit participation in activities, and how choosing the right activities can support health. Similarly, we recognize how some activities can damage health, and not just the obvious risks presented by "bad habits" such as smoking, for example. An OT can help you as a client create healthy habits for shopping for and/or preparing food, getting adequate rest, being active (whether that's working out in a gym or going to the park with your kids 3 or 4 times a week, allowing you to combine exercise and quality time with your family), reducing stress, managing time and more. 

When it comes to treating your specific health care needs, occupational therapists begin with the diagnosis that brings you into the clinic or other health care setting, and also take into account your current life situation. This can help to pinpoint factors that might be aggravating your diagnosed condition. Your OT can analyze how you do the activities that you are having difficulty with to find ways to make you more efficient, whether it's through better positioning, strengthening, using assistive tools or technology, or eliminating unnecessary effort. If needed, an OT can also help you create a change in your home or office environment to make it more ergonomically efficient. OTs also customize a home program for you, giving you options to improve your health and performance on your own, away from the clinic.