Patients Served
Adults and children.
Overview
Occupational therapy (OT) provides the skills for living productive and satisfying lives. Occupational Therapists consider "occupation" to be everything people do to occupy themselves, including looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure) and contributing to the social life and economy of their communities (work/productivity). Occupational Therapists work to break down the barriers (physical or mental) that make it difficult for people to carry out everyday activities.
Occupational Therapists work on the Surgical Unit with patients who have had amputations, tendon repairs, joint replacements or fractured bones. On the medical units, they are busy treating patients with arthritis, stroke or brain injury, diabetes or those who find it harder to cope as they get older. Occupational therapists offer those patients tools and techniques to gain and maintain an optimum level of function and reduction in their pain.
The outpatient department offers publicly funded programs. There is also a clinic where people may use their extended health benefits or auto insurance if they choose to use their benefits. Occupational Therapy is the treatment of preference for those who have injured their wrist or hand or have had surgery on their hand. OT can also help people come back from illness and chronic disease, injury and motor vehicle accidents. Emphasis is placed on how you can help yourself and on education to prevent future injuries or disability.
Referral Information
A doctor's referral is required for the publicly funded program, but not following a work injury or when using your extended health benefits or auto insurance.