Occupational Therapy ("OT") is a therapy discipline that teaches patients how to best get along in their particular environments with whatever medical problems they have. It teaches patients with a wide variety of medical disabilities various physical tricks, to optimally work around their physical disabilities. There is also an emphasis on treating the patient in a comprehensive manner, including social, psychological and spiritual considerations.
The COPD and Emphysema patient generally has not only physical dyspnea problems, and often a number of related physical problems such a weight loss and weakness. And there are frequently psychologic or psychiatric problems, such as anxiety and depression.
In addition these combined physical and psychological problems can bring social problems into the overall picture, such as tensions within the home environment related to the patient and their caregivers, who in turn may be stressed with the responsibilities of caring for the patient. The COPD home care situation would seem to be ideal for Occupational Therapy consultation and advice. Surprisingly however, Occupational Therapy services oriented to pulmonary rehabilitation needs, seem to be quite uncommon in most pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Regardless, a general Occupational Therapy consultation is an option that should be considered.
Examples of how Occupational Therapy ("OT") might help the COPD patient are many. For example, how to efficiently make a bed. Or how to set up a kitchen for efficient use. And if a chair bound patient needs mobility, how to use a wheelchair or even a motor driven scooter, and in this case to make kitchen modifications to accommodate these devices. Simple bathroom devices such as a raised toilet seat, or safety handrails around the toilet or bathtub, or a non-slip safety mat in the shower can provide much convenience and added safety. Communication devices, and for the patient who is alone for substantial times, emergency communication devices might be suggested. And in the two story home with the bedrooms on the second floor, a relatively isolated patient who is unable to climb stairs can be brought back into the family experience of eating at the regular dinner table and enjoying entertainment and social activities by simply relocating the patients bedroom to the first floor.
The list of living suggestions and clever assistive devices goes on and on. Even if your pulmonary rehabilitation program does not offer this service routinely, requesting an Occupational Therapy consultation, including a home inspection and evaluation as to your particular problems and needs, might indeed provide invaluable advice.
Occupation Therapy is also much concerned about efficient and coordinated general body movements. But it is also important for the COPD patient there be appropriate coordination and timing of breathing with the general body movements and various specific tasks. Here a consultation and working relationship with a Chest Physiotherapist can be very productive in the overall rehabilitation program.
Also of interest in this area is the COPD specific Yoga program "Stretching Breathing Exercises for People With Severe COPD" by Dr. Vijai Sharma ( www.mindpub.com ). Dr. Sharma is trained and credentialed in Viniyoga, one of the several Yoga disciplines. Viniyoga emphasizes adaptability to individual needs, and has a strong emphasis on coordination of breathing with general body movements.