Close

Tag Archive for: occupational therapy

by

Breaking the Stigma: Sexuality and Disability

Julie Entwistle, C.Dir. (c), MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

Co-written by Lauren Halliwushka, Occupational Therapist

Unfortunately, in the ongoing quest for an inclusive and equal-opportunity society, “sex” still sells. What used to be in printed material (magazines, newspapers, and fliers) has turned into an online buffet of images that are posted by people of themselves (often filtered, patched and “enhanced”), by people of others (with and without consent), and by photographers, companies and others whose job is to capture the attention of, and entice millions of people, to buy a product, service or idea. The goal of these “sexy” images is to tap into our intrinsic human need and desire for sexuality by adhering to the societal expectations of what is attractive. 

It has only been in the last few years that the concept of “attractive” is changing. Models are increasingly featured in many different shapes, sizes, ethnicities and some campaigns (thank you Dove) are about “natural” beauty.  But despite this small move in the direction of selling with images of “various types of people” presented as “real”, there is one more similarity in advertising that we often overlook. The models are able-bodied, or to use a totally arbitrary term, they would be considered “normal”. 

Why then do we rarely see individuals with disabilities featured in sexually enticing advertisements? It goes back to society’s assumptions of what beautiful and sexy is. Disabled people, through their history of being marginalized, institutionalized, segregated, or otherwise pitied have not been routinely associated with ‘attractive” as a concept. We need to work together to continue to change this perception and to remove the stigma.

Individuals with disabilities are sexual beings. Like you and me, they also have urges, desires, needs, and fantasies. However, a subset of the general population doesn’t think so. According to a systematic review of qualitative articles, a prominent misconception among a sample of the general public is that individuals with disabilities are asexual. Biologically this is odd because individuals with disabilities undergo the same maturation processes as everyone including puberty, reproduction and hormonal surges. Yes, approximately 1% of individuals are asexual but this is all people, not just those with disabilities. Another common misconception is that individuals with disabilities are only attracted to other individuals with disabilities. Inter-abled couples do exist, and relationships can form before or after a disabling event. Compared to inter-racial couples, however, inter-abled are not as common. Why? Well, it is thought that individuals with disabilities may be unconsciously internalizing the stigma and perspectives of society, which further negatively impacts their self-esteem, self-efficacy, motivation, and perceived sexual autonomy. This claim is supported by a qualitative study that gained the perspectives of individuals with disabilities on the topic of sexuality. A significant theme that emerged is the innate belief that their sexuality was not equal to or desired by individuals without disabilities. As such, they were reluctant to pursue inter-abled relationships due to fear of rejection, the partner resenting their disability and the possibility of the partner falling into a caregiver role.

In addition, stigma unknowingly creates various systemic barriers that further reinforce societal and self-stigma among individuals with disabilities, creating a negative counter-productive cycle. There is plenty of literature that highlights the ineffectiveness or inaccessibility of sexual education within secondary schools for individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities. Sexual education focuses on “normal” (that ugly word again) people. Hence, from a young age, we are setting up individuals with disabilities for failure by reinforcing self-stigma and neglecting to acknowledge their sexual being.

Regarding the healthcare system, a study suggests that only 6% of licensed health care professionals engage in frequent discussions about sexuality with patients/clients with half of them stating they avoid the topic due to embarrassment. Keep in mind, this statistic is regarding all individuals, disability or not, which is even more surprising given that sexuality is a crucial component of someone’s health and – more importantly – intrinsic to human nature. No wonder individuals with disabilities are adopting self-stigma if health care professionals shy away from this topic.

This is not about changing what you see as attractive. This is about challenging the opinion that individuals with disabilities are not capable of being sexy and can’t (or shouldn’t or don’t) engage in sexual behaviors. Not only are all people, disabled or not, able to engage in any and all sexual behaviors, but they also have wants, needs and desires like the rest of us. Healthcare professionals that shy away from, or avoid, this topic should consider discussing this aspect of health with patients/clients when appropriate by adopting a comfortable strategy (such as the ex-PLISSIT model).

If you have personally felt, or still feel, the self-stigma surrounding sexuality, please discuss it with a trusted family member, friend or healthcare professional. Specifically, Occupational Therapists are trained to be open about this concept and to problem solve the barriers to sexuality and engagement in sexual activity as a very important “occupation (aka life role)” for all of us.

If you are interested in reading more, I recommend The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability by Dr. Miriam Kaufman.

Remember: Disability is extremely broad and can impact people in multiple ways. As with all people, consent is always required when engaging in any sexual activity.

 

References:

 

1 Sinclair, J., Unruh, D., Lindstrom, L., & Scanlon, D. (2015). Barriers to Sexuality for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Literature Review. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 50(1), 3-16. Retrieved June 18, 2018.

2Miller, A. M. (2015, May 4). Asexuality: The Invisible Orientation? Retrieved from https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2015/05/04/asexuality-the-invisible-orientation

3Esmail, S., Darry, K., Walter, A., & Knupp, H. (2010). Attitudes and perceptions towards disability and sexuality. Disability and Rehabilitation, 32(14), 1148-1155. doi:10.3109/09638280903419277

4McDaniels, B., & Fleming, A. (2016). Sexuality Education and Intellectual Disability: Time to Address the Challenge. Sexuality and Disability, 34(2), 215-225. doi:10.1007/s11195-016-9427-y

5Jones, L., Bellis, M., Wood, S., Hughes, K., McCoy, E., Eckley, L., . . . Officer, A. (2012). Prevalence and risk of violence against children with disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. The Lancet, 380, 899-907. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60692-8.

6Dukes, E., & McGuire, B. E. (2009). Enhancing capacity to make sexuality-related decisions in people with an intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 53(8), 727-734. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2009.01186.x

7Haboubi, N. ,. J., & Lincoln, N. (2003). Views of health professionals on discussing sexual issues with patients. Disability and rehabilitation, 25(6), 291-296

8 Taylor, B., & Davis, S. (2006). Using the Extended PLISSIT model to address sexual healthcare needs. Nursing Standard, 21(11), 35-40. doi:10.7748/ns2006.11.21.11.35.c6382

by

Snow Removal O-Tip of the Week: A Lesson on Lifting

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

For the month of February, our O-Tip series will help you to practice safe and efficient snow removal this winter.

Clearing snow is a necessity to ensure safety for yourself, visitors and passersby.  Shoveling can be strenuous work, therefore it’s important to use the proper tools and techniques to reduce the risk of injury.

Whenever possible, push the snow rather than lifting. When lifting is needed, follow these tips:

  • Do not try to lift large amounts at one time
  • Hold the shovel close to your body
  • Ensure you keep a slight bend in your knees
  • Lift with your legs while maintaining the natural curve in your back.
  • Always move your feet to ensure your body will face the direction to where you are dumping the snow.
  • Avoid twisting your back
  • Avoid dumping snow over your shoulders
by

My Animals Support Me, But Are Not Support Animals

Julie Entwistle, C.Dir. (c), MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

Every day I benefit from the love of my animals.  In fact, being an animal owner is not only part of my lifestyle, but has absolutely become part of who I am.  My animals provide me with love, comfort, they calm me and make me smile and laugh.  I have one at my feet right now and he is the one that tends to keep an eye on me – never too far away, watching, waiting, and looking for moments to connect with me, steal some cuddles or give me a quick wag to show his support.  My animals also provide comfort and security to my children and it is not uncommon to see a kid doing homework or relaxing in her room while surrounded by her four-legged beasts much like Snow White.  However, like children, animals are not always easy and at times can be all-consuming, frustrating, and difficult to manage.  Pets are not for everyone, especially during times of trauma, transition, or change.  In the end, my dogs provide me and my family with a “service”, but these are far from “service animals”.  I will explain.

Pets are animals that we keep inside to provide us all the comforts and joys that animals can provide.  Sure, we take them outside, but that is equally for their benefit as it is for ours (dog parks, nature walks, doggie play dates).  Maybe to the vet, groomers or to visit with dog-friendly friends.  But pets are typically a hot mess in public spaces.  My dogs are wonderful at home and are trained to be good here, but If I took one of them to a restaurant he would pretend to be looking for some affection while simultaneously snatching the steak off my plate, or diving to grab that roll that landed on the floor.  He would be underfoot and anxious, nervous of the chaos and commotion.  And in getting him into the restaurant he would not hesitate to chase a squirrel across the road while dragging me as the leash holder into traffic with him.  After all he is a pet; he is not trained in how to properly manage public spaces.

True service animals are pets, sure, because they provide all the supports of an animal at home.  But they are also exceptionally well trained to behave in public.  They can navigate public spaces with focus, comfort and ease because they have experience here, and know what is expected.  They are not distracted by squirrels or steak and get used to being so attentive to their owners such that affection from strangers when out of the home is not something they crave.  They are trained to react to situations with consistency and based on what the owner needs – they will not jump on someone in an elevator, bark, urinate in the lobby, or wrap their leash around someone’s leg.  They won’t bite anyone because they are screened as non-aggressive and are trained to have restraint (unless they are a trained guard dog in which case they provide owner protection on appropriate command).  Service animals provide just that – a “service” to someone in need.  They are not just “pets in a vest out in public.”

In Ontario, owners of service animals, in addition to donning the animal in a vest, are required to carry a “prescription” to explain that they need the dog in public spaces.  This “prescription” can be written by a health professional, and to protect the privacy of the animal owner, is often discrete and vague (“requires the service animal for medical reasons or reasons of mental health”).  Many people with these scripts won’t look or act disabled on the surface, hence the need for supporting documentation.  Unfortunately, with service and support dog vests available online, the note becomes necessary to prove a need and to allow the owner of an establishment to be comfortable having the animal inside.

As occupational therapists, we can provide these scripts and notes to owners of service and support animals.  In many settings, we also assist people to obtain funding for the animal and its training.  What we need to understand, however, is the responsibility that comes with this.  Should the animal misbehave at home or in public and harms someone or the owner, the prescriber of the animal could prove liable as the one indicating the animal was needed and was suitable for the purposes of service and support.  To protect ourselves from this, there are things we should consider:

1.      Ensure the animal is not a pet in the first place.  Confirm that the animal is trained, has been vetted to be suitable, and can handle the important responsibilities that come with wearing a service animal vest.  The best way to do this is to ensure the animal was provided by a reputable facility that works with animals for this purpose.  A list of such facilities in Ontario is included below.

2.      Ensure your note has an expiry date.  An open-ended script that could be carried for years or decades does not ensure that you are referring to “this animal” at “this time”.  Consider dating your script to ensure it is reviewed perhaps annually like other processes that involve our signature (parking permits, tax forms, etc.).

3.      Recognize that supporting the funding for someone to obtain or purchase an animal could also be considered a “script” whereby you are taking ownership for this animal as a service dog.  If you complete a letter of recommendation, complete with funding support, that could be enough for someone to carry with them, written by an “occupational therapist” as proof of the need.

4.      In the cases of mental health, consider the value of having this prescribed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist if warranted.  Consider your own knowledge, skills, and experience with the client and their disability in recommending this type of need.  Ensure there is an appropriate diagnosis of mental health which is best obtained from a registered mental health professional.

In researching for this blog, I was provided a very informative and helpful document written by a Psychologist, Registered Dog Breeder, and Executive Director of Hope Heels Service Dogs: Dr. Aanderson.  This resource is also included below.  This document explains service animal laws across Canada, and clearly outlines the differences between a guide dog, service or support dog and pet.  It provides a decision tree to help professionals like myself navigate the important conversation with clients regarding the use of a service dog, and how this differs from a pet, in deciding whether to “prescribe” this or not.

I am sure many of us have witnessed an animal in a public space that was wearing a vest and misbehaving.  In one instance, someone in an elevator with me said to the owner of a vested “support animal” that was climbing on people “there is no way that is a service dog.”  The owner just exited the elevator without responding.  Service animal or not, it is an abuse of process and blatant disregard to the training and time that goes into true service animals to try and present a pet in this way.  Service animals provide an immense amount of support to those they are trained to help.  As professionals, we have a responsibility to continue to safeguard the true use of these animals, the programs that train them and the people that need them.  Consider using Dr. Aanderson’s guide before providing written support for these valuable four-legged aids to daily living.

Resources:

Aanderson Service Dog Prescriber Guidelines

Service Dog Providers in Ontario – Current as of October 2019

 

by

Disability and Weight Management: Helping You Tip the Scales in the Right Direction

Julie Entwistle, C.Dir. (c), MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

I find that while many of my clients initially lose weight following trauma (hospital food diet); eventually the net impact of a disability is often weight gain.  This is often the result of many factors – most interacting to make the solution difficult to isolate.  Medication side-effects, altered routines, reactive eating, friends and family that provide unhealthy sympathy foods, increased use of fast food because preparing meals is difficult, inactivity, depression, and even hormonal and physiological changes to the body as a result of the trauma.

But we do know that 70% of weight management is diet and assuming this is true, then the solution to weight management should be simple – you can’t eat it if you don’t buy it.  Purchasing unhealthy food is the first step to a weight problem.  And weight problems in disabled people are exponential.  Everything becomes harder – transfers, walking, completion of daily tasks, caregiving, and many pieces of equipment have weight limits that when exceeded result in equipment failure.

What is even more problematic is the role of the caregiver in the maintenance of weight in the person they are caring for.  When people cannot shop for food and cannot cook, then helping them to maintain weight becomes the job of the caregiver.  Just buy and prepare healthy foods – perhaps food prescribed by a nutritionist or dietician.  However, often caregivers rely on the disabled person to dictate the food choices but if people are emotionally eating, or eating out of boredom, then the caregiver cannot always rely on the individual to make the best decisions.  Often raising awareness about healthy eating starts with asking people to track what and when they are eating and drinking.  Then, problems can be identified, and a list of doable solutions can be developed. 

In one instance, in helping a client with weight loss as a functional goal, we discovered through tracking that she was barely eating breakfast and lunch but was consuming all of her calories from 5-10 pm.  We made the goal that, over time, she would consume breakfast, lunch, two snacks and dinner, and would stop eating after 7 pm.  Within a few short months, she lost 30 pounds, and this greatly improved her mobility and tolerances for activity.  Another client discovered through tracking that he was consuming far too many large bottles of pop a day.  By changing his large bottle to a smaller one, and eventually to only one pop per day and the rest water, he was able to drop 20 pounds.  In both cases, the problems, solutions, and commitment to change were made by my clients (with my guidance and support), making the results far more meaningful and lasting.  Further, the client was shown a framework for how to check and modify eating habits should they deteriorate again in the future.

by

Senior Safety and the Vital Role of Occupational Therapy

Canada’s population is aging. In 2015, there were almost 6 million people over the age of 65 – that is nearly 1 in 6 Canadians. As we grow older, we face an increasing risk of falls, accidents, disabilities, and illnesses.  As a senior how can you stay safe and healthy?

Why is Older Adult Safety Important?

Older adult health and safety is important for maintaining our ability to age in place of choice.  Statistics Canada has highlighted the following safety risks for older Canadians:

  • 89% of Canadian seniors had at least one chronic health condition. Arthritis and rheumatism were the most common.
  • 25% of Canadian seniors reported having 2 or more chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, back problems and diabetes.
  • 63.7% of Canadian seniors reported to have been injured in a fall.
  • There are 3.25 million people aged 65 and over in Canada who have a driver’s license.
  • 92.1% of seniors live in private households.

These statistics demonstrate the increased risk to seniors for health and other safety concerns.

Occupational Therapists Can Help!

Occupational Therapists are trained professionals who address all aspects of getting people back to doing things they want to do, need to do, or have to do, but may be experiencing challenges when doing so.  Occupational Therapists can support older adult’s health and well being through providing supports for seniors to maintain active social connects, manage changes in health conditions, and to continue engaging in activities that provide them with meaning and joy.

These are the following areas that an OT can help keep seniors safe and healthy!

Fall Prevention 

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians with 20-30% of seniors experiencing one or more falls each year.

Occupational Therapy can help seniors prevent falls by assessing their functional status and reviewing the hazards in their environment that may put them at risk for falling. Strategies to prevent falls can be discussed, such as:

  • General Education on how to do activities differently to stay safe.
  • Equipment and devices to assist.
  • Home modifications such as lighting, flooring, organization, and layout.
Aging in Place

In 2011, 92 % of all seniors ages 65 + lived in private homes, and over 10 million seniors are living with a chronic condition.  Older adults also have disproportionately higher rates of unmet care at home. Thus, ensuring these individuals function safely and independently at home is a high priority.

Occupational Therapy can help by assessing the home and the homeowner to ensure a proper fit between the person and environment to promote overall health and safety.  Additionally, an OT can prescribe the proper assistive devices, education and help people plan ahead so they can “ age in place” without being at risk.

Keeping Senior’s Active

Remaining physically active as you age can help reduce, prevent or delay diseases and can help to manage stress, improve mood and boost cognition.  Statistics show that 57% of Canadian seniors consider themselves physically inactive.

Occupational Therapy can help seniors remain physically active by:

  • Creating custom activity plans based on health and abilities.
  • Helping seniors create a daily schedule that includes physical activation.
  • Helping seniors to find appropriate facilities and groups to join or other productive and meaningful activities.
Sleep

Sleep is important for recovering from illness and injury, staying healthy, and ensuring people have sufficient energy during the day to accomplish life roles. Difficulty sleeping is a common and detrimental issue for people in various life stages.

Occupational Therapy can help seniors reduce sleep problems by:

  • Reviewing sleeping positions and patterns to suggest improvements for both comfort and quality of sleep.
  • Assessing the bed, mattress, and pillows to ensure the body is sleeping in the optimal position for comfort.
  • Prescribing assistive devices to improve sleep positioning, bed transfers, and bed mobility.
  • Helping people to implement a new sleep routine that will improve your sleep quality and duration.
Cognitive Impairments

According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada as of 2016, there are an estimated 564,000 Canadians living with dementia – plus about 25,000 new cases diagnosed every year.

Occupational Therapy can help people with dementia or who have altered/declining cognition by:

  • Educating people and loved ones on how to maximize function while still promoting independence and safety in the completion of activities of daily living.
  • Assessing cognition, abilities, and environment to make suggestions on ways to compensate for declining cognitive skills through direct therapy or environmental modification.
  • Developing routines and schedules that promote independence and eases the role and need for a caregiver.
  • Prescribing safety equipment and devices to optimize function.
Transition Stages
  • Occupational Therapy can play a crucial role in helping seniors through live transitions this by:
  • Identifying, planning and helping people engage in finding new meaningful occupations outside of work.
  • Providing education on role changes, spending time with family and friends, healthy lifestyles and choices.
  • Helping discover new ways to occupy their time, participate in leisure activities and find new interests.
  • Improving quality of life through promotion of independence and pain management strategies.

 

For more information on how Occupational Therapists help improve the lives of older adults check out our infographic:  Occupational Therapy Works for Seniors.

 

Resources

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-402-x/2012000/chap/pop/pop-eng.htm?fpv=3867

https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/roadsafety/cmvtcs2013_eng.pdf

Turcotte, M (2014). Canadians with unmet home care needs.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2014001/article/14042-eng.pdf

http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=1454

http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?ChangeID=1&pageID=621

http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=1501

by

Enabling Clients in Lower-Risk Cannabis Use

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

Co-written by Kyra Posterski, MSc (OT) Candidate 2019 at McMaster University

 

In October of 2018, the Government of Ontario legalized cannabis in an effort to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, keep profits out of the hands of criminals, and protect the public health and safety by allowing adults access to legal cannabis.

The number of Canadians who report using cannabis has increased since legalization. However, cannabis use is not without both short and long-term risks. These risks include cognitive and psychomotor impairments, hallucinations, impaired driving, and dependency, as well as mental health, pulmonary/bronchial, and reproductive problems.  One advantage of legalization is that it allows for a more open discussion of risk behaviours, and the steps that can be taken to reduce these.

Given that cannabis is being increasingly used by Canadians, it is likely that OT’s will continue to encounter clients that use this regularly as part of our practice. Knowing the actions that client’s can take to reduce their risk when using cannabis is thus important for clinicians to realize and understand.  The Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines has been developed as an evidence-based tool that offers recommendations for users of cannabis products to reduce risks and improve their health. Using these guidelines, occupational therapists are well-positioned to educate clients on the actions they can take to reduce their risk, enabling clients to engage in lower-risk cannabis use behaviours. These conversations are especially important for occupational therapists working with clients that are at an increased risk, such as adolescents, pregnant women and people with a family history of psychosis or substance use disorder.

These guidelines present 10 major recommendations for lower-risk use:

# 1 ABSTINANCE.  As with any risky behaviour, the most effective way to reduce risk is avoiding the behaviour.

# 2 START LATER.  Using cannabis at a young age (i.e. before age 16) increases the risks for adverse health and social outcomes.  It is recommended that usage not start until at LEAST the legal age.

# 3 and 4 PRODUCT CHOICES. It is recommended to use cannabis products with a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content and to avoid using those with synthetic cannabinoids.

# 5 and 6 METHODS AND PRACTICES. Smoking combusted cannabis negatively affects respiratory health; therefore alternative, lower-risk methods, are recommended (e.g. vaporizers or edibles). Practices such as “deep-inhalation” or breath-holding should also be avoided since these practices increase the intake of toxic materials.

# 7 LIMIT USE TO OCCASIONAL (e.g. once a week). More frequent or intense cannabis use is associated with a number of health problems.

# 8 DON’T DRIVE. It is suggested that people refrain from operating a motorized vehicle for at least six hours or longer after using cannabis. Cannabis impairs skills that are critical for driving (e.g. attention) and driving while impaired from cannabis increases the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

# 9 CONSIDER YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION.  Some populations who are at a higher risk for cannabis-related health problems should abstain from using cannabis altogether. This includes pregnant women and people with a family history of psychosis or substance use disorder.

# 10 DON’T COMBINE.  Avoid combining cannabis use with other higher-risk behaviours—like those described already, as this may further amplify risks.

For more information about this topic, OT’s are encouraged to access the references below or to encourage clients to contact their treating physician for more information about safe use.

 

References

Centre for Addictions and Mental Health. (2017). Canada’s lower-risk cannabis use guidelines:  https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/lrcug_professional-pdf

Fischer, B., Russell, C., Sabioni, P., Van Den Brink, W., Le Foll, B., Hall, W., … & Room, R. (2017). Lower-risk cannabis use guidelines: A comprehensive update of evidence and recommendations. American Journal of Public Health, 107(8), e1-e12.

Government of Canada. (2019). Cannabis act [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/C-24.5.pdf

Statistics Canada. (2019, May 2). National cannabis survey, first quarter 2019. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190502/dq190502a-eng.htm

 

by

A Day in the Life of your “Occupations” — Bedtime Routines

Contrary to the traditional understanding of the word, occupational therapists define “occupation” differently. For OTs, the word “occupation” does not only include “paid” work, employment, or jobs. Rather, we define it as the way people “occupy” their time and as such it actually includes all roles involved in living (therapy for living, who knew?). So, for Occupational Therapy month, we will explore “A Day in the Life of Your Occupations” complete from morning to night, highlighting common important occupations and how OT’s can help when things breakdown along the continuum that is living.

This week we discuss the important occupations that arise before bed.  If you missed our “Rise and Shine,” “9 to 5 “Workday,” and/or “Eventful Evening” posts, we encourage you to view them here.

by

A Day in the Life of Your Occupations: Eventful Evenings

Contrary to the traditional understanding of the word, occupational therapists define “occupation” differently. For OTs, the word “occupation” does not only include “paid” work, employment, or jobs. Rather, we define it as the way people “occupy” their time and as such it actually includes all roles involved in living (therapy for living, who knew?). So, for Occupational Therapy month, we will explore “A Day in the Life of Your Occupations” complete from morning to night, highlighting common important occupations and how OT’s can help when things breakdown along the continuum that is living.

This week we discuss the important occupations that arise in the typical evening. If you missed our “Rise and Shine” and/or “9 to 5 Workday” posts you can view them here.

by

A Day in the Life of your “Occupations” — 9 to 5 Workday

Contrary to the traditional understanding of the word, occupational therapists define “occupation” differently. For OTs, the word “occupation” does not only include “paid” work, employment, or jobs. Rather, we define it as the way people “occupy” their time and as such it actually includes all roles involved in living (therapy for living, who knew?). So, for Occupational Therapy month, we will explore “A Day in the Life of Your Occupations” complete from morning to night, highlighting common important occupations and how OT’s can help when things breakdown along the continuum that is living.

This week we discuss the important occupations that arise during the 9-5 Workday. If you missed our “Rise and Shine” post, you can view it here.