Regaining Independence

REGAINING INDEPENDENCE

Occupational Therapy Month Raises Awareness About Patient Rehabilitation Care

By: Lindsay Cuomo

April marks Occupation Therapy Month, an awareness effort focused on shining a light on the rehabilitation services available to patients facing a disability whether as a result of an illness, surgery, injury or other conditions. In recent years, Norman Regional Health System has expanded its occupational therapy (OT) services, integrating care into several departments.

“We have been working on growing our OT outpatient services, hiring new professionals to offer more specialized care,” shared Bruce Rau, lead occupational therapist for the health system. “We have come a long way in the last five years and are now more integrated as a profession with patient care throughout the health system.”

Norman Regional has recently opened a new freestanding emergency department with occupational, physical and speech therapy services. In addition to Norman Regional Nine, OT services are offered at Norman Regional Moore and the Physical Performance Center.

Rau said that occupational therapy is often misunderstood and underutilized.

“We are just not a very well-known profession,” he explained. “Our goal is to help people participate fully in their life.”

That impact is what drew him to the profession.

“During my undergrad education, I was interested in several therapy professions, however, I ending up landing on occupational therapy because of its holistic approach in helping people live their lives,” he explained.

Rau said that patients who are no longer able to do things they were before an illness or injury should reach out to their primary care doctor to get a referral. He wants people to know “there are people who can help you.”

“We help patients regain their independence, regardless of what is impacting them,” he encouraged. “If you want to get back to driving, painting or gardening again, OTs can help. There are all kinds of equipment available that help people use their bodies in new ways.”

Rau cautioned that some patients may not get their functionality back but their therapist can utilize technology and modifications “so that patients can perform activities to reach their optimum potential.”

For example, a patient of Rau’s wanted to cook a meal for her family again.

“She had suffered a stroke and was very depressed,” he shared. “As an OT, we brainstormed how we could make that happen.

“We looked for tools to help her. We practiced the skills she would need. And in eight weeks, she was able to feed her family and she was so proud of herself.”

Since OT covers a variety of skill sets, Rau recommended finding a professional that specializes in your circumstance and age. OTs also engage in community education and support resources.– BSM