of the victim and survivor. For example, a victim and survivor may engage in five hours of physical therapy a day in an acute-care setting, while averaging one hour every three days at home. During the visits the therapist may use a variety of modalities to deliver therapy such as heat, cold, electricity, or sound to decrease pain and improve mobility.
Some victims and survivors
may use adaptive
equipment indefinitely.
Additionally, a physical therapist may use adaptive equipment in therapy sessions, equipment that a victim and survivor may continue to use indefinitely. Treatment plans are reviewed on a regular basis to maintain their integrity. The hope is that physical therapy continues until the goals of the treatment plan are achieved. However, there are times that insurance impedes this process by denying coverage. Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy (OT) is a skilled intervention focused upon the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disabilities limiting fine motor skills that make it difficult for individuals to achieve independence in all activities of daily living. Occupational therapy is designed to help injured victims and survivors by modifying the environment so that they have the opportunity for independence.
Like its therapeutic counterparts, OT is framed around a process of assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. During the assessment phase, an occupational therapist interviews the victim and survivor to develop an accurate history. They also assess a victim and survivor’s abilities and problems related to activities of daily living, such as grooming, dressing, bathing, and eating.
Results of an assessment define short- term and long- term goals.
Results of the assessment define the short-term and long- term goals of intervention. The goals are driven by the needs of the victim and survivor and may change over the course of treatment. Occupational therapists may conduct visits to the victim and survivor’s home and place of work to see if interventions need to be implemented in the two different environments. Interventions may include teaching techniques
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