What’s an Occupational therapists role in your ICBC claim?
An occupational therapist (OT) is there to help you make a plan following your accident. The road to recovery is different for everyone, and OTs are there to help you return to your daily routines or adjust and adapt to loss of ability.
They may ask you to talk about the barriers you are experiencing after your accident, whether that is neck pain, depression, trauma, or physical barriers like living on the 2nd floor when you can’t climb stairs. Occupational therapists make recommendations for everything from house cleaning services, to adaptive equipment (a bath seat or high raised toilet seat for example), to various types of therapy.
Occupational therapists are on your side – they are experts in assessment of disability and the impacts of injuries upon the daily activities of an individual. Oftentimes they may conduct a home assessment with you to prepare reports on how your injuries have affected your ability to live an independent life, as required by the BC legal system.
Whether the goal is to return to work, or live independently, an occupational therapist can help you take those first steps after an accident.
What is an Occupational Therapy assessment like?
Home Evaluations
An occupational therapy assessment at your house usually includes a detailed interview about what your life was like before the injuries. How did you spend your time? What were your daily responsibilities? Were you looking after other people like children or elderly family? How was your health before the accident? Did you have a fitness routine?
Once the assessor has a good understanding of your daily routines, they will then want to know how your life has changed since your accident. They may ask you to complete some questionnaires, to observe physical tasks like walking, reaching, climbing stairs, or to show them whatever tasks you are finding difficult. Letting an occupational therapist see your home is not only key to helping them understand your domestic responsibilities, but also to making recommendations that will help keep you safe and comfortable as you recover.