Redefining Rehab

Occupational therapists help people live better with chronic illnesses and recover from severe injuries.

Chronic disease, traumatic injury and health emergencies like strokes can leave people struggling with everyday chores that once seemed effortless.

Finding themselves unable to complete basic tasks such as getting dressed, putting on makeup or going to the bathroom alone, people recovering from such events may experience feelings of depression, frustration and shame. Sometimes, these feelings are severe enough that people withdraw from healthy social and professional activities.

If you or your loved ones find yourselves in this situation, occupational therapists at Adventist Health Castle are ready to help, with personalized treatment plans that support independence in self-care, hobbies, leisure and work.

What they treat

• Personalized, skilled intervention services focus on areas including:
• Rehabilitation of cognitive deficits after debilitating events, such as severe injury or stroke
• Motor function and strength
• Gross motor skills, such as standing and sitting
• Fine motor skills, such as tying shoelaces or using a computer
• Sensory function, such as vision and perception of touch

How they help

Occupational therapists can help people change their environments to maximize their capabilities, which is particularly useful for people recovering from a debilitating injury or living with a degenerative disease. Skills they can help with include:

• Managing daily living activities
• Moving from one position to another, such as shifting between the toilet, shower and tub
• Strengthening and moving the hands and arms
• Fabricating splints for the hands and arms
• Using adaptive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes and shower stools
• Improving gross motor coordination
• Regaining muscle use after injuries
• Caregiving