Occupational Therapists’ constantly have to explain their role, as the word ‘occupation’ is widely associated to jobs and careers.

Although we can definitely help people with returning to work or look at adaptations within the work setting, this is not what ‘occupation’ actually means and is not the main purpose of our role.

‘Occupation’ refers to any meaningful activity that occupies someone’s time. That means any of an infinity amount of activities in someone’s life that is important to them, which they would like to be able to do. One reason that it is hard for us to explain our role is that what we work on with one person is very different to what we do with another person, because what is important to one person is different to what is important to someone else.

When working in a busy hospital ward, for example, our role is to support people safely out of that environment to return to their own home or an alternative place (such as a care home or rehab centre). So in this situation, we would be focusing more on the essential ‘survival’ based activities in order to get someone out of hospital, such as supporting someone so that they get adequate nutrition for example, i.e. how will get food? Can they take their medications? Can they wash? How will they get their shopping?

However, when people are in their own homes and (or, as we call it, ‘in the community’) then we may focus on activities that may not be just about survival needs. We might be looking at participating in hobbies, being able to get out the house to see friends and family, or making some of those essential tasks easier, considering if there are any aids to help or adaptations that can be used to change the way an activity is carried out. We aim to support people to optimise their quality of life, independence, purpose and joy.

In the last year working with Reclaim Mobility, our OTs have supported people within their rehabilitation to be more independent in the kitchen; helped people to find transport and wheelchairs, so they can leave the house; and completed cognitive rehabilitation, so that the person can enjoy life and help someone with a visual impairment to be able to find what they are looking for on a table in front of them. We’ve also supported people with finding specialist showering equipment, completing upper limb (arm/hand) programmes to regain function and sensation, advised on strategies and aids to help get in and out of a car, and so on.

However, OTs (as we like to call ourselves) can work in a huge array of other settings from schools to prisons to GP surgeries, or wherever we are needed to support people in finding ways to complete their important activities. Regardless of whether that is for supporting with the essential personal care tasks and domestic chores for survival, or whether that is returning to work or just having fun!

So whatever activity you or a loved one may be struggling with, have you considered speaking to an OT for support? If not, feel free to get in touch with Reclaim Mobility today.