October is Occupational Therapists Month is Canada.
Occupational Therapists (OT) at TVFHT are preventative problem solvers. They help patients live safely, independently, and with purpose. Despite the challenges of aging or chronic health conditions.
Rather than focusing on one medical issue, OTs look at the whole person. Their environment, physical and cognitive health, goals, and what matters most to them. Then, TVFHT OTs provide education, tools, and support to help them succeed in their daily lives.
“We are problem solvers. We work with people to help them manage everyday activities that matter to them. Whether it’s at home, work, school, or in the community. Our team helps people gain independence and manage chronic conditions, and navigate life’s transitions through personalized care,” says Cecilia Doesborgh, ICL.
What Makes an OT in Primary Care Unique?
Unlike OTs in hospitals or rehab, the role in primary care is grounded in:
- Early intervention to prevent injury, crisis, or hospital admissions
- Health promotion empowering people to manage chronic conditions and age well
- A strengths-based approach to care, looking at what matters to the patient and how to help them get there
OTs identify challenges early so they can help patients recognize their personal strengths and use those to overcome barriers.
How OTs Make an Impact
Here are some ways OTs contribute to the TVFHT team and patient care:
Functional Assessments & Early Interventions
- Help patients manage the impact of health conditions on daily tasks
- Using their unique lens to identify issues early and link patients to timely support
- Providing education, adaptive strategies, assistive devices, or referring to in-house services
Falls Prevention & Confidence Building
- Delivering education and tools to reduce fall risk
- Using outcome measures that show increased confidence and functional independence post-intervention
Cognitive & Driving Assessments
- Comprehensive cognitive assessments to support primary care providers in diagnosing conditions like dementia or mild cognitive impairment
- Link cognitive function with real-world performance through functional assessments
- Proactively screen for driving safety, often long before issues arise
- Help patients and families plan for future changes
Caregiver & Family Support
- Reduce caregiver burnout by offering practical support and education.
- Help families make informed decisions for the future. Especially in cognitive decline or complex care scenarios.
Team-Based Referrals & Navigation
- Act as a hub to connect patients to other professionals on the team and in the community.
- Build bridges across care to support patients holistically.
“We empower patients to see themselves as agents of change in their health journey,” says Nanette Bowen-Smith, OT. “We are building capacity” agrees Crystal Chan, OT.
Highlights from the Past Year
Some initiatives and successes the team is proud of:
- Falls Prevention Groups (Steady & Strong): Build patient confidence while reducing risk and improving mobility. 100% of survey respondents reported a positive overall experience with the group and would recommend the group to others. Plus, 78% of respondents have seen improved scores on the Falls Efficacy Scale after participating in this group. You can register for this group from our Programs page.
- Memory Clinics: OTs play an integral role in supporting early dementia diagnosis.
- Driving Screens: Help primary care providers and families assess readiness and safety.
- Chronic Disease & Aging Education: Support patients to stay independent longer.
- Functional Pain Management: Assist people with chronic pain to regain function. OTs do more than just treat the pain.
Thank you Cecilia, Crystal, Nanette, and Sylvia for your outstanding efforts.