by Sarah Warburton

You might find an occupational therapist helping a child with disabilities to participate in school and social settings, helping an adult recovering from a stroke to regain physical and social skills, or providing support for a senior after a hip replacement. Together with the team of nurses, speech therapists, physical therapists, doctors and technicians at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Sugar Land, occupational therapists take their patients through exercises to improve everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, preparing a meal, or feeling confident living at home. Let’s celebrate these helpful heroes, since April is National Occupational Therapy month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury death among older adults. Usually a combination of factors causes a fall, so occupational therapists consider your performance skills, activity demands, habits and routines, and environments. At HealthSouth an occupational therapist might work with a client recovering from a wrist fracture caused by a fall. Therapy might include exercises for strength and improved movement, an examination of the factors that led to the fall, and the creation of a custom-tailored fall prevention plan.Together the patient, the caregiver, and the occupational therapist form a team that work for the best outcome…in conjunction with your doctor and any other specialists.

HealthSouth Sugar Land invites you to a Falls Prevention Class on the last Thursday of every month. Two HealthSouth therapists––PT Kimberly Johnson and OT Christy Burrows––will walk you through safety tips and precautions including safe transfers in and out of the tub and car, adequate lighting, and removal of hazards like throw rugs. The program is offered at 1:30 pm in the second floor conference room. For more information, contact: Bindu Varghese, 281-276-7574.

Nick Hardin, CEO of HealthSouth Sugar Land, says “Occupational therapists empower older adults by helping them stay active and safe…so they can live life to the fullest. Our enthusiastic and passionate occupational therapists share teamwork and a wonderful sense of camaraderie with our physical therapists, speech therapists, technicians, nurses and doctors. All our disciplines pulled together to earn certification with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare (JCAHO) for Disease Specific Accreditation for Hip Fractures. Every member of our HealthSouth team works to create a culture of caring that’s ideal for the patients…and those who care for them!”

HealthSouth Sugar Land Rehabilitation Hospital
281-276-7574
1325 Highway 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
www.healthsouthsugarland.com