Being able to take a shower, make dinner, or get dressed in the morning can be easily taken for granted. However, If you have a disability, or are injured—self-care can be a challenge. An occupational therapist (OT) can assess a patient’s daily activities and the challenges he or she might face in performing these tasks. From here, the therapist will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address any weaknesses and enhance motor skills.

In addition to evaluating a patient’s functional levels, an OT might evaluate the patient’s home for safety reasons. If he or she finds any hazards or opportunities to make life easier on the patient, he or she can recommend changes to the patient or his or her family. The patient might also put him or herself in danger by driving, if this is the case, the patient might need a driver.

Occupational therapy—also called OT—sessions can occur in the patient’s home, a care center, senior housing, or in an outpatient facility. An OT will observe more than just the patient’s functional abilities. He or she will also look at cognitive, communication, and motor skills. The goal is to enable the patient to perform daily tasks as well as participate in leisure activities to enhance the patient’s overall sense of wellbeing.