Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy – empowering a person or group to engage in meaningful activities for the well-being of the person or group, promoting activity and engagement in meaningful activity(ies), developing appropriate skills, habits, and roles in daily, educational, occupational, professional and leisure settings at home and the community.
Occupational therapists provide a wide range of services to help people live more independently and participate in everyday activities. Their main areas of activity include:
The occupational therapist collects, analyses, and critically evaluates information related to the person’s health and activities. They assess and document the results of the person’s performance and determine the need for and extent of occupational therapy. Based on these data, an individual occupational therapy plan is developed, occupational therapy measures are selected and applied, and their impact is evaluated.
The occupational therapist assesses the person’s functional status, sensory and cognitive functions, as well as the social, cultural, and physical environment. They analyse activities, identify individual needs and problems, teaching individuals to be independent and to participate in daily, productive and leisure activities. They also train the person’s relatives and make recommendations to team members and other professionals.
The occupational therapist applies occupational therapy models and practical solutions based on science-based methods. They work with the patient and the specialist team to analyze and evaluate activities, assess environmental factors affecting participation in activities, and modify and advise on adaptations to the physical environment.
The occupational therapist assesses and develops a wide range of skills and cognitive functions, creatively solves performance problems, and analyses a person’s motivation and daily living habits. They prescribe, select and adapt technical aids, teaching people how to use them.
The occupational therapist assesses and analyses the environment from a universal design perspective. They continuously adjust the occupational therapy program and evaluate its effectiveness, using models and methods of occupational therapy practice, in collaboration with community members.
The occupational therapist critically evaluates and applies science-based practice, uses effective communication skills, builds collaborative relationships, applies teaching methods, and provides occupational therapy advice.
Occupational therapists thus help people to achieve a higher level of independence, participation and quality of life by applying personalised therapeutic tools and techniques, as well as by collaborating with various professionals and the community.
