TNC Occupational Therapy Team

Occupational therapy (OT) promotes health by enabling engagement in occupations of life. The OT department is part of a team approach to rehabilitation of an individual with a neurological diagnosis and/or complex medical issues. Occupational therapists work with individuals and families, to maximize ability to function in a meaningful way. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable participation in the activities of everyday life. Outcome is achieved by enabling individuals to perform activities enhancing ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation.

Evaluation

Provided by a licensed occupational therapist and may address the following:

• Performance in areas of occupation
• Performance skills to enhance areas of occupation
• Performance patterns, context, activity demands

Therapeutic Treatment

Therapeutic treatment is provided while engaging in actual occupations, goal directed behaviors or activities, or in preparation for occupational performance. Occupational therapists collaborate with the patient to identify a problem, create and carry out possible solutions, and alter them as necessary for greater effectiveness.

Aquatic therapy is available for a patient meeting appropriate criteria. Individual, group, or co-treatments with other disciplines are received at a frequency determined by the occupational therapist and physician. To ensure carryover of therapeutic activities in the home and on the living unit, the occupational therapist works closely with family members and unit staff.
A device for increased functional independence may be provided if needed. The patient receives recommendations for home modification and/or follow-up therapy prior to discharge.

Therapeutic Interventions

• Enhance Performance
• Establish New Skills
• Preserve Performance Capability
• Revise Activity Demands
• Prevent Barriers
• Restore Impaired Skills

Activities of Daily Living

Patient and caregiver have the opportunity for an overnight stay in the on campus
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Suite before discharge. The ADL suite provides the following:

• Treatment space for re-training of cooking, laundry, housekeeping, and grocery shopping
• Fully equipped bathroom for tub and toilet transfer training
• Simulated home environment to practice independent living skills