Occupational Therapy

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Occupational Therapy in Primary Health
Care Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists
Primary Health Care Committee
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What do occupational therapists do?

• Occupational therapists, or OTs help people of
  all ages to do the everyday activities of
  lifetaking care of themselves, working, or
  participating in leisure activities.

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Where do occupational therapists work?

• Wide variety of work settings
• Hospitals
• Home Care
• Mental Health
• Schools / Workplaces
• Other Community Sites

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What kind of therapy would occupational
therapists do?

• Occupational therapists help clients in practical
  ways to do everyday activities.
• An occupational therapist helps to use or adapt
  activities to build skills and independence.

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What would occupational therapists do in primary
health care?

• Client-centered, problem-solving approach to
  functional difficulties
• Energy conservation joint protection
• Equipment and devices
• eg. Walkers, bath seats, wall bars, raised
  toilet seats, etc.
• Stress management and pain management strategies

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More

• Pressure relief surfaces and positioning to
  prevent or heal wounds
• Feeding and swallowing
• Cognitive assessment and strategies to cope with
  memory loss
• Caregiver education and support
• Funding applications for large equipment
• Parking Placards, Disability Tax Credit forms

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Where can you find an OT who works with seniors?

• Alberta Health Services
• Private Practice
• Contact the Society of Alberta Occupational
  Therapists (SAOT) or the Alberta College of
  Occupational Therapists (ACOT) to locate an OT
  with the expertise required

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Is there a role for OT within the Primary Care
Network team?

• SAOT believes that OTs can play an important role
  within the primary heath care team. Our focus on
  occupational performance and the interaction
  between the person, task, and environment gives
  us a unique perspective that is innovative, yet
  evidence based.

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OT and Self-Management of Chronic Disease

• Chronic Disease Management
• Arthritis self-management
• Promotion of active living
• Fall prevention
• Role of meaningful activity
• Creating a balanced lifestyle
• Mental Health

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• For more information please contact the SAOT
  Primary Health Care Committee at primarycare_at_saot
  .ca