Corydon, IA April 04, 2011: April is Occupational Therapy month dedicated to heightening the awareness of this critical therapy. Occupational therapy enables people of all ages live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, prevent-or live better with-injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice deeply rooted in science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience, and “best practices” that have been developed and proven over time.
“Working as an Occupational Therapist in Wayne County has been an extremely rewarding experience,” commented Jamie Luedtke, OTR/L. “I am fortunate to be able to work in a setting with a diverse group of patients in a supportive atmosphere. Every day brings a new opportunity and being able to help my patients achieve their own level of independence is something I thoroughly enjoy.”
Ms. Luedtke received her Masters of Occupational Therapy degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, and completed her undergraduate studies at Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science. A graduate of Chariton High School she is delighted to have the opportunity to practice in southern Iowa.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the individual. It is occupational therapy’s purpose to get beyond problems to the solutions that assure living life to its fullest. These solutions may be adaptations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or helping individuals to alter their own behaviors.
When working with an occupational therapy practitioner, strategies and modifications are customized for each individual to resolve problems, improve function, and support everyday living activities. The goal is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic approaches, occupational therapy helps individuals design their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their environments (e,g., home, school, or work) and build health-promoting habits and routines that will allow them to thrive.
By taking the full picture into account, a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment, occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:
- Achieve goals
- Function at the highest possible level
- Concentrate on what matters most to them
- Maintain or rebuild their independence
- Participate in daily activities that they need or want to do.
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants and students nationwide. Offering quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential is what we provide at Wayne County Hospital. For more information on occupational therapy services available at Wayne County Hospital, contact Jamie Luedkte, OTR/L at 641-872-5278.