There's an OT for that: how occupational therapy can help with daily life
Most of us don’t think twice about opening a jar, brushing our teeth, or getting ready for the day—until something changes. An injury, a new diagnosis, or even a shift in routine can make everyday tasks feel different.
That’s where occupational therapy can help. It supports people in staying independent, confident, and engaged in the activities that matter most.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people learn, recover, or adapt the skills they need for everyday life. It supports people who face physical, cognitive, mental health, or emotional barriers, helping them take part in the activities that matter most to them.
Occupational therapists (OTs) often consider 3 key domains of life:
Self-care: activities like bathing, dressing, and eating.
Productivity: work, school, or managing a household.
Leisure: hobbies and interests that bring joy.
Occupational therapy supports people with day-to-day activities and many other parts of life. As Lifemark Occupational Therapist Kirsten Roberts puts it, if something is getting in the way of daily life, “there’s an OT for that!”
The OT’s toolkit: 3 approaches occupational therapists may use
To support your daily routine, an OT may use a combination of three strategies tailored to your needs:
Remediation (restorative approach): working to restore or improve function through targeted activities, exercises, and therapies.
Compensation (adaptive/functional approach): learning new ways to accomplish a task, such as using another part of your body to complete the activity.
Accommodation (environmental/task modification): using tools, equipment, or environmental changes to help make a task more manageable. Some examples of accommodation include an electric can opener for someone with reduced hand strength or a sock aid for a person who can't bend down easily.
How occupational therapy can help in everyday life
An OT’s role is to identify not just what is difficult for you, but why. They take a comprehensive look at the physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that may create barriers in your day-to-day life.
Here are a few examples of when occupational therapy may help:
- David, 35, is recovering from a mild stroke. While his motivation is high, weakness on his left side has made everyday tasks like making breakfast or getting ready feel harder than they used to. An occupational therapist can help David practice daily routines, explore adaptive tools, and find safer ways to complete tasks, such as preparing food one-handed. OT support can help him build confidence with the activities that matter most to him.
- Maya, 24, is a student whose anxiety has become so overwhelming that she feels unable to take part in activities she once enjoyed, like hiking and painting. An occupational therapist can help Maya build practical coping strategies, create manageable routines, and take gradual steps toward returning to hobbies and activities that feel meaningful to her.
- Carlos, 45, injured his shoulder while working in a warehouse and now has difficulty with overhead lifting. An occupational therapist can assess how his injury affects his job tasks and develop a plan that may include modified duties, safer lifting strategies, ergonomic recommendations, and gradual return-to-work support.
Occupational therapists are versatile, compassionate, and can provide a variety of care options across a spectrum of ages, from kids to seniors. After assessing your needs, an OT can develop a personalized treatment plan to support your routines, independence, and participation in daily life.
If you’re recovering from an injury or noticing that certain tasks feel harder than usual, a Lifemark occupational therapist can assess your needs and recommend support that fits your goals.
Key takeaways
- Occupational therapy can help people re-engage in the daily activities that matter to them.
- OTs look at the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental factors that may create barriers in day-to-day life.
- Their approach can include restoring function, teaching new ways to complete tasks, and recommending tools, equipment, or products that support independence.
- An OT can create a personalized plan to support routines and activities that contribute to your quality of life.
FAQs
What does an occupational therapist actually do?
An occupational therapist helps you find practical solutions for daily life. If an injury, illness, disability, or mental health concern makes it hard to do your daily activities, an OT helps you find practical solutions. They focus on helping you regain skills or adapt to your environment so you can manage self-care (like dressing), be productive (at work or home), and enjoy your hobbies again.
Who should see an occupational therapist?
You may want to consider seeing an occupational therapist if you’re having difficulty with daily tasks due to a physical injury (like a stroke or work injury), a chronic condition (like arthritis), or mental health challenges (like anxiety or depression). OT can support people of many ages, from children to older adults, who want to build independence, support their quality of life, and take part in activities that are meaningful to them.
What is the difference between occupational therapy and physiotherapy?
While there’s some overlap between occupational therapy and physiotherapy, each service has a different focus. Physiotherapy often focuses on improving movement, strength, mobility, balance, and range of motion. Some occupational therapists do work on progressing range of motion and strength but through the lens of occupation and daily function. For example, a physiotherapist may help you improve shoulder strength and mobility, while an occupational therapist may help you use that shoulder safely to lift your child, get dressed, prepare meals, or return to your job.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to see an occupational therapist?
In many cases, you do not need a doctor’s referral to see an occupational therapist at a private clinic. However, some extended health insurance plans may require a referral for coverage. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider about your specific plan details.
