Many don't understand the role of occupational therapists (OT) or the services they provide, which is why October was declared occupational therapist month.
The proclamation is hoped to shine a light on the profession, and local OTs Richard Eaton and Melanie Miller were eager to explain their roles to Coast Reporter last week.
OTs offer holistic care to anyone who is having difficulty doing daily activities that are important to them. Often people with disabilities or injuries are referred to the specialists for help.
"Occupation doesn't mean just work. For us it is what people do to occupy their daily lives," Miller said.
Eaton explained that things like brushing your teeth, catching a bus and getting groceries would be classified as an occupation under their definition.
"And when we look at that, we're looking at various aspects of it, we're not just looking at the person, we're looking at them holistically," Miller said. "So we're looking at cognitively, physically, spiritually, we're looking at their environment, the community around them, all the different aspects that contribute to that and how we can adapt that or develop those skills so that person can maximize their potential in doing those things."
OTs are university trained, regulated health professionals whose unique training enables them to understand the medical, physical and psycho-social factors that impact the individuals they work with.
There are eight OTs on the Coast presently working in places like the hospital, community services, the school district and home care services. There is also one private OT on the Coast able to take clients. That therapist used to work for mental health on the Coast but the position was cut when funding was cut this year, Eaton said.
OT services are covered by health care, and Miller and Eaton hope that getting the word out about their services increases the demand for them, resulting in more funding for more positions on the Coast.
"We could certainly use more OTs. St. Mary's is one of the busiest hospitals with the highest case load for OTs in all of B.C. and there's just one OT on staff," Eaton said.
Find out more at www.caot.ca.
