Acronyms and Short Forms Glossary Download

• Introduction
• What is Rehab
  • Occupational therapists
  • Physical therapists
  • Speech Language Pathologists
  • Other rehab staff
  • Complementary therapies
• Rehab & Physical Issues
• Rehab & Emotional Issues
• Rehab & Cognitive Issues
• Rehab & Activities
• Accessing Services
• Working with Rehab
• Sticking with Treatment
• Self-management
• Rehabilitation Resources

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists work with you to build strengths and lessen barriers so you can engage more fully in all of the many roles you want to play in life.  These roles may be related to your work, whether paid or unpaid (e.g., plumber or volunteer dog walker), your family and friends (e.g., partner, parent, friend, caregiver), your hobbies (e.g. knitter, golfer) or your day-to-day tasks (e.g., grocery shopper, housekeeper, bather). For example, one person may have occupations as a cook, a friend, a dancer, and a traveller¹.

List of services offered (please note that this list is not exhaustive)

• Assessment of;
• possible safety problems in the home, such as tripping hazards
• challenges with things you do every day (dressing, eating, getting in and out of the bathtub, etc.)
• ability to carry out your activities in the workplace
• cognitive health such as your memory, concentration, and ability to focus your attention
• the home, to discover any barriers to effective living
• Treatments include:
• Working with you to develop a reasonable set of short- and long-term goals.
• Helping you to remove or work around barriers in the home.
• Recommending orthotics (insoles to help foot and leg problems), braces, and other helpful tools.
• Helping you get necessary tools (e.g., canes, walkers, orthotics, braces).
• Giving you information about items that can help compensate for a decrease in ability (e.g. an inexpensive electric can opener if grip strength has decreased).
• Helping you develop a schedule to conserve energy.
• Helping you develop a plan to keep track of medications, doctors’ appointments and other health-related needs.
• Helping you develop plans to overcome challenges in your life (e.g., paying bills or remembering appointments).
• Addressing health challenges related to memory and cognition (e.g., trouble remembering, thinking clearly, or concentrating).
• Helping you develop new and easier ways of completing regular tasks (e.g. getting in and out of wheelchairs).
• Helping you connect with organizations and resources that can help you live a richer life.
• Helping to support you in being able to return to or stay at work (or volunteer job).
• Working with you to improve or maintain your driving skills.

Please refer to the section of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists’ website called, “What is Occupational Therapy?” (https://www.caot.ca/index.asp) for more information.