WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY? Occupational Therapy is a health profession that assist people of varying ages and abilities to regain independence in all areas of their lives after serious injury or illness. It helps those with physical, sensory, cognitive, and mental disabilities / impairments. OT’s look at the effect various symptoms has on your overall level of functioning, including cognition, physical abilities, processing and reasoning, social interpersonal skills and so on. Activities of daily living Instrumental activities of daily living

Leisure/ Return to Hobbies AREAS OF LIFE

Work/ School/

Sleep/rest

University Social Participation

FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATIONS Occupational therapists are key in an individual’s return to work/school/ university after an illness or hospitalization. We are experts in functional testing and functional capacity evaluations. A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is an assessment that determines your physical and mental capabilities to meet your job demands. Your doctor, therapists, nurses or employer may refer you to an OT for such an assessment. Who Can Benefit From an FCE? •

A person who has been injured on the job

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A person seeking to return to work or school activities after an injury, accident, or illness such as COVID-19

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A person seeking vocational / work rehabilitation services

An FCE may be used to determine: •

Goals for rehabilitation or readiness for discharge

The most important thing is to FOLLOW UP with your TREATING Physician and consult with them regarding concerns or symptoms you might have.

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Return to work status; full duty, modified duty, or transitional duty

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Need for vocational rehabilitation

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Need for accommodations by the employer

The pandemic has brought new challenges and it is important for you and your family to talk about these.

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Modifications to the work environment

COVID-19: THE EFFECTS ON THE BODY Health professionals are observing a range of respiratory, physical, neurological, psychological, and functional deficits in individuals who have received treatment for the COVID-19 virus. Some of these deficits include: Neurological: Psychological:

Wagner Occupational Therapist For more information regarding the services offered at Wagner Occupational Therapist or to arrange an appointment for an assessment, contact our OT’s via:

[email protected] [email protected]

- Anxiety, panic attacks - Low mood, depression - Grief - Low Self Esteem -PTSD

- “Brain fog” - Reduced alertness - Ongoing delirium - Severe attention deficits - Reduced memory - Disorientation Functional:

Physical: -Overwhelming fatigue -Muscle weakness -Oedema -Pain

-Reduced ability of bath/dress independently - Impaired socialization -Difficulty meeting job demands after returning to work

OR

072 510 5355

As more people are being discharged from hospital with these longterm symptoms, the number of people requiring rehabilitation is growing rapidly. It is important that these people have access to rehabilitation services to maximize their recovery & quality of life.