OT: An Overview

Occupational therapist assisting a senior with mobility exercises, helping improve daily living skills and independence.
By Alison Starkey PT MBA MHA CAPS CDP CFPS, Owner, Gaitway of Charlotte

Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on the things you want and need to do in your daily life.

Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life. This includes any meaningful activity that a person wants to accomplish, including taking care of yourself and your family, working, volunteering, going to school, among many others.

Occupational therapy services typically include:

  • An evaluation made just for you that lets us know your history, life experiences, and your interests. We call this your occupational profile, and it tells us what values and activities are important to you during this conversation.
  • An intervention plan that is unique to you to improve your ability to perform daily activities and reach your goals, and an outcomes evaluation to make sure that the goals you set with your occupational therapy practitioner are being met.
  • Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to participate in daily living or live better with injury, illness, or disability. This is accomplished through designing strategies for everyday living and customizing environments to develop and maximize potential.

Occupational Therapy Assists People In:

  • Achieving their goals
  • Functioning at the highest possible level
  • Concentrating on what matters most to them
  • Maintaining or rebuilding their independence
  • Participating in the everyday activities that they need to do or that simply make life worth living

More information on OT is available at AOTA.org.

Gaitway of Charlotte provides in home OT services – No prescription is required.