News & Information

If you have experienced a severe spinal cord injury resulting in some degree of paralysis, you may have to learn to cope with life in an entirely new way. If you are involved in a sport, hobby or profession that increases your risk of severe injury, you should recognize that paralysis might be a part of your future. Occupational therapy uses tools, strategies and assistive living devices to help re-integrate a disabled person into normal life.

Your health insurance probably will not cover occupational therapy, physical therapy or any of the assistive living devices you may need. Applying for a critical illness insurance policy would be a wise decision – many of the supplemental insurance policies on CancerPlans.com offer a lump sum benefit upon first diagnosis of severe disability or paralysis. You can use a critical illness insurance payout for whatever expenses you need most.

Occupational therapy helps patients re-establish coordination and deal with the basic tasks of everyday life, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and transferring. As therapy progresses, the patient will move beyond these basic activities of daily living (BADLS) to instrumental activities of daily living (IADLS). IADLS include tasks like preparing meals, cleaning, writing, using the computer and dealing with transportation.

An occupational therapist develops an individual program for each patient, creating strategies that help the patient complete tasks successfully. Therapists may help re-organize the patient’s living space with assistive devices like ramps and wheelchairs, and may recommend special furniture, utensils and vehicles designed to make life with a disability easier.

In addition, the therapist designs a program of strength and dexterity exercises that help the patient regain as much independence and functionality as possible.

(1) http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special_subjects/rehabilitation/occupational_therapy_ot.html