April 28, 2010

Bloomsburg Health System Celebrates Occupational Therapy Month

Occupational therapists provide patients with vital resources. Occupational therapists at Bloomsburg Health System are, from left to right, Michelle Bahlavooni, OTR/L, from Columbia Montour Home Health, and Lindsey Houseknecht, COTA/L, Judy Schrepfer, MS, OTR/L, and Mathew J. Popalis, COTA/L, from Bloomsburg Health Care Center. Missing from the photo are Kelly Klinger, BS, OTR/L, and Sue Lennon, MS, OTR/L.

Occupational therapists provide patients with vital resources. Occupational therapists at Bloomsburg Health System are, from left to right, Michelle Bahlavooni, OTR/L, from Columbia Montour Home Health, and Lindsey Houseknecht, COTA/L, Judy Schrepfer, MS, OTR/L, and Mathew J. Popalis, COTA/L, from Bloomsburg Health Care Center. Missing from the photo are Kelly Klinger, BS, OTR/L, and Sue Lennon, MS, OTR/L.

Bloomsburg Health System proudly celebrates April as National Occupational Therapy (OT) Month. At Bloomsburg Health System, occupational therapists enable people of all ages to live life to the fullest by helping them overcome – or better cope with – the effects of an injury, illness, or disability. OT is an evidence-based practice that uses data and “best practices” to develop individualized treatment plans.
 
“Occupational therapists play an important role in our community,” says Kelly Klinger, BS, OTR/L, occupational therapist with Columbia Montour Home Health. “Helping individuals achieve movement and independence goals not only enhances their quality of life, but is also very rewarding to the therapist.”
 
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on helping individuals better perform the tasks that make life meaningful to them. The purpose of OT is to implement solutions to the physical obstacles that diminish the patient’s quality of life. These solutions often include adapting how a task is performed, changes to the surroundings, or helping individuals alter their own behaviors.
 
OT practitioners customize strategies for each individual. The goal is to maximize potential by resolving problems, improving function, and supporting everyday living activities. Through therapeutic approaches, OT helps individuals develop needed skills, modify their environments such as home, school, or work, and develop the habits and routines that will allow them to thrive.
 
By taking the full picture into account—a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:
 
·         Achieve goals
·         Function at the highest possible level
·         Concentrate on what matters most to them
·         Maintain or rebuild their independence
·         Participate in daily activities that they need or want to do.
 
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA) represents the interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.