OT Services

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapists (OT) provide occupational therapy services. At SPEAKeasy Therapies & Fitness, our OTs assess the person and the environment to develop client-centered goals to improve safety and independence with functional tasks (i.e. showering, cooking, toileting, using technology, shopping, etc).

Why see an OT?

The Care You Deserve

It can be beneficial to reach out to an occupational therapist when you are having concerns with falling in your home or community, or if you have had any recent falls. You may notice that your spouse needs more assistance with daily tasks or has had a cognitive decline. You may also want to learn ways to build strength and address balance deficits to be safe in your home long term. Occupational therapists are uniquely trained to problem solve and adapt to each client’s needs whether those are limited by physical, cognitive, social, or environmental challenges.

Who do we treat? Anyone that is having difficulty: completing daily tasks, moving around their environment, experiencing a cognitive decline, falling or fear of falling, or accessing their community.

Common diagnoses include:

Parkinson’s Disease Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis ALS Brain Injury
Macular Degeneration Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis
Amputations of Hip, knee, and shoulder replacements COPD
Covid-19 Diabetes Congestive Heart Failure

Services Provided

Browse Options

Home Safety Assessments

Home Safety Assessments: Any older adult age 65+ could benefit from a home safety assessment. One-third of older adults 65+ have a fall in their home doing familiar tasks. An OT completes the assessment at your home and points out potential safety concerns or hazards, and then provides solutions to those concerns. The entire home is assessed, including entrances and exits, bathrooms, interior bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, and exterior spaces.

Aging in Place

According to AARP, 77% of adults 50 and up prefer to stay in their homes as they age. Occupational therapists are skilled at knowing medical diagnoses and can help plan for the progression of certain diseases. OTs offer preventable measures through home safety assessments and home modification recommendations. Also, OTs provide education on community resources when additional support services are needed such as transportation, private duty caregivers, and home maintenance.

Low Vision

Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma are all diagnoses that can lead to low vision. Low vision makes everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, watching television, and reading the newspaper very difficult. Occupational therapists provide modifications and adaptations to allow individuals with low vision to remain independent.

Wheelchair Evaluations

Occupational therapists are specialized in providing seating and positioning recommendations and performing wheelchair evaluations that are submitted to insurance. Often, insurance will pay for some or all the cost of a wheelchair if medically necessary.

Fall Prevention

According to Age Safe America, falls are now 40% of the reason for nursing home admissions. Falls are preventable with aging, and OTs utilize a holistic approach to fall prevention by looking at how the environment and the client affect participation and performance with everyday tasks. OTs also identify barriers that could increase someone’s fall risk.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Interventions for Clients and Families

OTs perform functional cognitive assessments to determine someone’s ability to complete activities of daily living. In addition, OTs educate and train families and caregivers on how to best assist their loved ones with daily tasks. Knowing specific cues and how to set up the environment with a client with a cognitive impairment can lead to increased client participation and less agitation.

Assistive Technology

OTs are trained to determine appropriate assistive technology to help their clients perform daily activities, communicate, move in their environment, or access information. AT can be low or high-tech and can include innovative home technology to help someone age in place. AT examples include LED magnifier for someone with low vision, a communication device, a closed caption phone for someone with hearing loss, or a video doorbell and technology-operated door locks for someone with mobility issues.

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