Occupational therapists are here for you during and after these difficult times.

An occupational therapist meets with the mother and daughter in the home. In the kitchen, he takes notes as he observes the mother reaching into an upper cupboard. The occupational therapist makes a Fall Prevention plan. It consists of; Test balance and strength; Asses Environment; Bathroom Safety and Recommendations.

NARRATOR:Occupational therapists perform a variety of roles in achieving this desirable goal, like assessing an individual’s function within their own home to find ways to make home life easier for them, making a plan together to enhance function and safety, such as removing or reorganizing household items.

A contractor installs a grab bar in the shower and a safety hand rail along the front steps of the house, as the occupational therapist and mother happily look on.

NARRATOR: Recommending assistive devices to reduce the risk of falls and consulting with an accessibility contractor to suggest further modifications or equipment to help you manage on your own.

An occupational therapist sits with a caregiver and an elderly man. The occupational therapist listens, takes notes, and then makes suggestions. Her speech bubble reads: Medication Dispenser, change door handles and locks.

NARRATOR: Occupational therapists also work closely with caregivers to help in their efforts to provide care and support. Examples might include meeting someone with dementia and their caregiver to examine daily routines, identifying safety concerns such as not eating, forgetting medications or trying to leave the home unaccompanied and providing strategies and resources for overcoming any such issues.

The occupational therapists shake hands with their clients.

NARRATOR: In these and many other cases, an occupational therapist can make all the difference in helping people manage independently and safely at home. Occupational therapy, making the everyday possible. Visit our website today to learn more.

TEXT ON SCREEN: OTontario.ca

In an animated cartoon, a mother drops her young boy off at school.

NARRATOR: Kids spend 14 years of their life in school and all parents want their children to be successful, but every child is different.

The young boy frowns as he sits at his desk in his classroom, unable to concentrate, and surrounded by other students.

NARRATOR: And for students of any age that have special needs and challenges, occupational therapists help make school life a rewarding experience.

An occupational therapist discusses the young boy with his teacher.

NARRATOR: By working together with school staff and students to find solutions that support different accessibility needs, learning types and engagement, occupational therapists get involved.

A boy rolls his wheelchair up a ramp towards a sports gym. In the gym, he has fun playing basketball with a friend. In a classroom, a teacher reads to three students on a carpet. One student, a little girl, kicks her legs about before sitting up straight, where she now happily listens to the teacher. On a soccer field, the boy in the wheelchair plays catch with a young girl as other kids play soccer.

NARRATOR: They help kids with physical disabilities so they can actively participate in the classroom, gym, and playground, help students with learning disabilities or other challenges to help develop organizational skills, pay attention, and stay focused so they can learn more effectively and participate in school life.

In the classroom, the occupational therapist sits beside the young boy having trouble paying attention. Later, the young boy in his classroom stops frowning. A thought bubble is shown with him thinking about what the occupational therapist taught him. A content look washes over the young boys face as his focus turns to his school work.

NARRATOR: Occupational therapists can teach kids with problematic behavior methods to identify the triggers for these behaviors and how to avoid them.

In the school hallway, two older male students happily chat with a female student while standing beside their lockers.

NARRATOR: For students with mental health issues that need help developing social skills, occupational therapists can help them to identify and create strategies that build social awareness, self-confidence, and resiliency.

In the classroom, the young students sitting at their desks beam with excitement.

NARRATOR: An occupational therapist can make all the difference for your child’s or student’s experience to succeed with school life and learning. Occupational therapy, making the everyday possible. Visit our website today to learn more.

TEXT ON SCREEN: OTontario.ca

In an animated cartoon, a woman lies in a hospital bed as she is visited by her husband.

NARRATOR: At any time, you, a family member, or someone you care about may be admitted to a hospital. Occupational therapists can make the everyday possible for patients.

In the hospital room, an occupational therapist helps the woman transfer into a wheelchair, then rolls her out of the room.

NARRATOR: They help people regain their independence while in hospital and prepare them for their return home.

In a park outside the hospital, the occupational therapist chats with the woman in the wheelchair. Speech bubbles display their conversation.

WOMAN: I’m so happy I achieved my first goal.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST: Congratulations! Now let’s move onto your next goal to get you home.

The occupational therapist is shown consulting with a doctor.

NARRATOR: Working closely with Doctors and other members of a rehabilitation team occupational therapists help people regain day to day function by:

The occupational therapist places a splint on a patient’s hand.

NARRATOR: Creating splints to reduce pain and promote healing

The occupational therapist helps a man in a hospital bed as he uses a reaching tool to grab a pair of socks from a drawer.

NARRATOR: Teaching skills and providing equipment to help with everyday tasks, like dressing or showering

The occupational therapist measures a wheelchair occupied by a woman.

NARRATOR: Assessing needs for wheelchairs and other mobility aids to increase independence.

The occupational therapist sits in a chair as she leads a group therapy session.

NARRATOR: Providing counseling and therapy to aid in coping with mental illness.

In the hospital room, the occupational therapist speaks with the husband and wife as she prepares them for leaving the hospital. She holds a clip board containing several lists. The first reads: Community Resources. The second one reads: Recommended Equipment and the last one reads: Splint Care.

NARRATOR: When it comes time for leaving the hospital, occupational therapists are vital for discharge planning. They meet with patients and family, listen to their concerns about managing at home, and then recommend changes for home safety modifications to ensure a successful transition. Occupational therapy, making the everyday possible. Visit our website today to learn more.

TEXT ON SCREEN: OTontario.ca

In an animated cartoon, people mill about a shopping district. In a house, a young man is upset as he stands holding a walker.

NARRATOR: We all belong to a community where we live, shop, socialize, or do business. But sometimes unexpected life changes can affect our ability to participate in that community. That’s when occupational therapy can help.

An occupational therapist visits the young man in his home and sits beside him in his living room. As they speak, the young man becomes happy as a thought bubble displays him accomplishing a variety of tasks.

NARRATOR: If you’ve had an injury or illness that makes memory, concentration, and other thinking skills difficult, an occupational therapist can help you regain your independence by teaching you things like how to use a calendar to organize and plan on time bill payments and note taking to remember everyday things like conversations and appointments or grocery shopping.

The occupational therapist is outside with the young man, who moves happily with the aid of his walker. Elsewhere, another man in a wheelchair rolls himself independently into a transport van.

NARRATOR: Occupational therapists can help you get back out and involved in the community again after physical changes like a broken bone or a stroke.

A depressed woman sits on a couch in her bedroom. Later, she is outside and happy at a park, and poses for a selfie with a friend at a picnic.

NARRATOR: Learn how to lead a full life while managing the symptoms of anxiety or depression and overcome barriers so you can start participating again in your social life, hobbies, sports, and other things you love to do.

In his home, the young man stands frowning and holding a cane. He is then very happy as he walks with his cane along the shopping district in the community.

NARRATOR: Don’t let unexpected changes impact your enjoyment of life. Occupational therapy, making the everyday possible. Visit our website today to learn more.

TEXT ON SCREEN: OTontario.ca