Everyday activities such as cooking or getting dressed can be difficult for people who have been seriously injured or suffer from a debilitating disease. If you need assistance in regaining independence in daily living skills, Western Baptist Hospital's occupational therapists can help. 

 Therapy can be provided on an inpatient through the hospital's Rehabilitation Services department, on an outpatient basis through Baptist Rehab Center, or at home through Baptist Home Health.

Western Baptist's occupational therapists work with the patient, family members and referring physician to develop an individualized treatment plan. Therapists take individuals through a variety of daily living activities such as bathing, dressing and preparing meals. For example, a person might be taught to use a bathtub seat, grab bars or long-handled sponge for bathing or to use reachers to obtain objects from shelves.

Computers may be used to help individuals with cognitive functioning, such as increasing their visual awareness or improving short-term memory and reaction times. For instance, if a patient's field of vision in the left eye has been cut, that person will need to be trained to be aware of everything on the left side of the environment. Special computer software enables the individual to practice these skills.

If a patient can no longer perform a skill, the therapist can teach alternatives. For example, a right-handed person who has sustained injury to the right hand can be taught to use the left hand more efficiently.

Occupational therapists are trained to make splints to prevent further injury or to correct a deformity caused by injuries or diseases such as arthritis. Specialized treatment of the hand is offered through the care of one of our occupational therapists who is a certified hand therapist.

Occupational therapists are also trained to work with children who have lost function because of injury or developmental challenges. 
Because most insurance companies require a doctor's order before a patient can receive occupational therapy, individuals are accepted by physician referral only. Upon referral, an occupational therapist will evaluate the individual. When therapy is appropriate, a personal treatment plan for either inpatient or outpatient care will be developed. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (270) 534-1200.

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