The treatments for cancer and cancer itself can lead to a number of side effects. Cancer and these side effects can make every day life more challenging than it was before. Fatigue can make it hard to make yourself a meal, eat it and clean up all at once. Peripheral neuropathy can make it challenging to hold an every day object like a fork or a pen. Occupational therapy can help you to improve your ability to perform these activities that have now become a challenge.
According to The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants “help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations)”. Occupational therapy helps you to get back to living life functionally and to the best of your ability. They will evaluate how you are doing currently and create reasonable goals for getting you back to your “norm”. They will help you to modify tasks to meet these goals.
April is Occupational Therapy Month. Thank your occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants for all that they do to get you back to being able to participate in your everyday life!