April is National Occupational Therapy Month


Occupational Therapy at VMH ... April is National Occupational Therapy Month, which is supposed to be a time to reflect on the past, present and future of the profession of Occupational Therapy. However, this April is like no other April since occupational therapy began as a profession over 100 years ago. Right now, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are continuing their essential role in helping others while taking all precautions of washing our hands for at least 20 seconds, we are social distancing, and wearing masks. Pictured above, left to right, are Tami Gebel and Melissa Clarke, Occupational Therapists at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Submitted photo.

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist, Veterans Memorial Hospital

April is National Occupational Therapy Month, which is supposed to be a time to reflect on the past, present and future of the profession of Occupational Therapy.  However, this April is like no other April since occupational therapy began as a profession over 100 years ago. In actuality, this April is like no other time in our history!

The human race is being attacked, but not by animals or aliens as movies portray.  We are all fighting a war against something we can not see. We are all doing our part to fight off the virus. We are all washing our hands for at least 20 seconds, we are social distancing, and wearing masks.

Historically, occupational therapists are creative problem solvers who possess patience, compassion, empathy and have an innate desire to help others. Occupational therapists are trained to help people with physical, mental and/or emotional issues regain independence. That independence may be in the form of getting dressed, bathing, making a meal, returning to work, performing school-related tasks, participating in sports, managing finances, grocery shopping…. The list can go on and on depending on how a person views or defines “independence” in their life.

So, what is the role of occupational therapists during a pandemic like this? Right now, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are continuing their essential role in helping others. Even during a time when everyone is doing everything possible to stay out of the hospital, such as not having elective surgeries, there are people still experiencing illnesses, accidents and injuries.

Therefore, occupational therapists are working with patients in the hospital who have been unfortunate to become ill with a heart attack, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, stroke, fracture a leg or arm following a fall, or any other diagnosis that results in hospitalization.

In addition, occupational therapists are working with patients who are in their own homes and trying to regain strength and endurance following an illness, injury or surgery. These people would have rehabilitated in the hospital if it were not for the coronavirus. However, the patients were discharged early to avoid getting the virus and also to open a bed for someone who may need it more.

Occupational therapists continue to work with outpatients in the clinic, working on recovery following a work-related injury. There are occupational therapists working in the nursing homes, helping residents regain strength and independence following a hospitalization for hip or ankle fractures or respiratory illnesses. Lastly, there are occupational therapists who are helping teachers adapt online learning for students who have special needs and require adaptations because not everyone can learn online.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are helping people in many different settings to regain normalcy in their lives. However, what is normal in these days? As we all go forward in the next days and months, whatever each person considers “normal” activities in their life, occupational therapists will work on regaining that normal.

We have been trained to be cheerleaders in life’s activities. As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The past, present and future of the profession of occupational therapy may change with the events of the world. However, nothing, not even a virus, can change an occupational therapist’s determination, compassion, and innate desire to help others regain independence and normalcy in life.