Throughout Occupational Therapy Month, we celebrate the profound benefits of occupational therapy, recognizing its empowering role in helping individuals regain independence, enhance their quality of life, and achieve their utmost potential.
At Sleepy Eye Medical Center, Occupational Therapist Abby Schwartz, OTR/L, finds purpose and gratification in guiding patients toward their goals.
“Occupational therapy allows me to work with people across the lifespan with diverse backgrounds, abilities, skills, interests, and experiences. It is extremely rewarding helping people reach their goals and return to their daily activities,” said Abby Schwartz.
Such activities can range from feeding, toileting, dressing, bathing, or grooming, to cleaning, laundry, managing finances, cooking, driving, and hobbies, among others. Schwartz explained that occupational therapy is a more holistic practice that addresses physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and environmental well-being to help individuals return to their occupations after acquiring a disability or recovering from a medical event.
In the case of children, occupational therapy aids in areas such as play, learning, socializing, and meeting developmental milestones. This includes fine motor skills, visual motor/visual perceptual skills, sensory processing abilities, reflex integration, feeding-related sensory processing difficulties, self-regulation skills, self-care, and recommendations for adaptive equipment. Emphasis is placed on keeping therapeutic activities playful and engaging for children.
According to Schwartz, referrals are required but can be requested by the patient or caregiver from their or their child’s provider. Once she receives a referral, Schwartz conducts an evaluation, also known as an occupational profile.
“Through information gathering, I find out about the patient’s medical history, their meaningful activities or occupations, and what specifically is hindering their ability to engage in those meaningful occupations,” Schwartz explained.
Several conditions or diagnoses that may benefit from occupational therapy interventions include hand, finger, wrist, or elbow injuries/surgeries; neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injuries, ALS, or dementia; as well as children struggling to meet development milestones or those facing self-regulation or sensory processing difficulties.
To start, Schwartz has her patients complete certain assessments or outcome measures to identify pain, strength, range of motion, coordination, or cognitive difficulties.
“From there, we work together to create an intervention plan to improve their ability to return to those occupations. Lastly, we set goals to help guide our interventions and track progress.”
Another crucial piece to a patient’s success is communication and collaboration with others involved in their care. Schwartz collaborates with a patient’s provider or surgeon by providing progress updates. In the hospital setting, she also works with nursing staff, other therapists, the discharge planner, and the patient’s family.
About Abby Schwartz
Schwartz has a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of MN and has been an occupational therapist for 12 years. She spent the first 11 years of her career dedicated to pediatric care, working with children ranging from birth to 21 years old. Transitioning to Sleepy Eye Medical Center one and a half years ago, she now cares for all age groups, broadening her scope of practice.
“SEMC is an amazing place to work, with a culture dedicated to providing quality patient care. I am honored to be a part of a team of skilled professionals who provide individualized care to the patients within our community and those surrounding it.”
Schwartz lives in Sleepy Eye with her husband Brian and three children, Lillian, Blake, and Toby.
Looking toward the future, Schwartz is thrilled to utilize the new rehabilitation space with patients. Construction for the project is slated to begin this month, with an anticipated completion date of late summer.
“Specifically for occupational therapy, the project includes a remodeled space for adult patients receiving OT for interventions such as hand therapy or cognitive therapy. We are outgrowing the current space dedicated for pediatric patients,” said Schwartz. “The new pediatric gym will allow for an improved patient experience given the upgraded space and equipment. The equipment has been specifically chosen to meet the sensory and motor needs of children of all ages. The space will also accommodate more than one therapist simultaneously, opening more scheduling opportunities for patients.”