What is Occupational Therapy?

Are you struggling to get back into the swing of things as you recover from an injury or illness or cope with a disability?

You may benefit from occupational therapy, or treatments used to develop, recover or maintain daily living or work skills that people with physical, mental or developmental issues deal with on a daily basis.

Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients adapt to their environment by modifying a task or teaching a new skill. Family and caregivers are also enriched through education and practices that help them work with their loved one on a daily basis.

Is occupational therapy for me?

Occupational therapists (OT) help people to engage or regain function through the therapeutic practice of daily activities. These dedicated OTs work with a range of disabilities and ages, including:

• Seniors needing help adapting to their home environment and to accomplish daily tasks, including wheelchair and walker training
• Stroke victims regaining hand functionality while eating or dressing
• Mentally challenged people learning budgeting, shopping and homemaking skills

By using the simple “occupations” of daily living such as work, play and self-care, occupational therapists evaluate and enhance independence in patients of all ages.

Expanding Our Team: Welcome Sarah Propst, OT

Paris Community Hospital is proud to welcome Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Specialist Sarah Propst to our Rehabilitation Services Department. Propst provides outpatient treatment for a variety of conditions that affect patients from their fingertips to shoulders. Propst also constructs custom-fitted splints with movable or non-movable parts to fit assorted injuries and issues.

“My focus is restoring function in everyday activities,” said Propst.” I love to see the progress that people make and their ability to reach their goals.” Sarah’s services are available with a physician’s referral.

Welcome, Sarah Propst! We’re glad you’ve joined the Paris Community Hospital team.