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HVCH Celebrates Occupational Therapy Month with Open House April 26

LOGAN – April is recognized across the nation as Occupational Therapy Month, and the staff of Hocking Valley Community Hospital is proud of the hospital’s Outpatient Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Clinic.

Photo credit Matthias Zomer
Photo credit Matthias Zomer

Occupational therapy is often seen as something relative to careers. While occupational therapy is similar, it helps people with the skills needed for the job of living through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations).

“Perhaps you have suffered a stroke and now struggle with the simple basics of everyday functions such as getting dressed in the morning or making breakfast. Do you know someone who has a child with cerebral palsy who needs that extra assistance to manage going to school? Or maybe you’ve been injured on the job and need rehabilitation to prevent further injury when going back to work.  Occupational therapists make all of the above possible,” Andy Wright, HVCH occupational therapist, said.

Additionally, therapists can help children with autism thrive in school while learning, playing and growing and can help premature babies and their parents learn motor skills that are needed for eating and swallowing.

For adults, occupational therapy can help those who are disabled long-term or permanently from accidents or other medical reasons. The therapy teaches patients how to dress daily, prepare meals, bathe, drive and improve range of motion, muscle strength and endurance. Therapy also can include adaptations in the home, school, or work environment to help the patient become better independently.

“If you need to get back to work but have experienced a life-changing event that has caused you to lose function of movement such as arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, carpal tunnel syndrome or other debilitating disease, we recommend you call our office to schedule an appointment,” Wright said. “We can help you with ergonomics and body mechanics, assessing work activities and can help you stay healthy when you are able to return to work.”

HVCH is hosting a free public event on Wednesday, April 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria for those wanting to know more about occupational therapy. HVCH occupational therapists will be on-hand to answer any questions.

For more information, contact the Hocking Valley Community Hospital Outpatient Therapy Clinic at (740) 380-8284.

Hocking Valley is a community non-profit hospital with an emergency department, urgent care and a wide variety of clinical, specialty and outpatient services. For more information, contact the Community Relations office at (740) 380-8336.