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Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy provides the skills for the job of living and addresses the problems that interfere with an individual's ability to do the activities or occupations that are important to him or her.

These problems may be a result of injury, disease, social disadvantage, or the environment.

Occupation refers to the activities and tasks of daily life that have value and meaning to a person.

Occupations include:

• Self-care: activities completed to take care of one’s self; i.e. bathing, grooming, dressing;
• Leisure: activities undertaken for personal enjoyment; i.e. social activities, hobbies;
• Productivity: activities relating to paid or unpaid work; i.e. employment, homemaking.

Occupational therapists are regulated health care professionals who are specialists in the analysis, adaptation and therapeutic use of occupation. They work with the patient and their family/caregiver to maximize independence. Occupational therapists work with patients to regain and maintain function in daily activities, as well as to prevent dysfunction and promote healthy living.

Occupational therapists assist patients to:

• Learn new ways of doing things, for example, dress with one arm after a stroke;
• Adapt materials or equipment they use, for example build up a spoon handle to assist with feeding;
• Make changes to their environment, i.e. recommend a specific bath chair to improve safety at home.

The role of occupational therapy at The Ottawa Hospital is to identify the patient's capabilities and limitations, and to help with discharge planning. Occupational therapy focuses primarily on assessment and treatment of physical, cognitive, perceptual and psychosocial function. In collaboration with other members of the health care team, occupational therapists assist in facilitating a safe discharge environment.

For further information, please contact:

Rachel Gervais
Chief of Occupational Therapy & Recreation Therapy
The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus
501 Smyth Road - Room 3004
Ottawa ON K1H 8L6
Tel: 613-737-8007 or 613-798-5555 ext 16303
Fax: 613-737-7056
Email: rgervais@ottawahospital.on.ca