Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on helping people perform the activities that matter most in daily life — bathing, dressing, cooking, and self-care. After surgery, stroke, or serious illness, an occupational therapist helps patients relearn these skills and adapt their environment for safe, independent living.
What Occupational Therapists Do
A licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) evaluates how a patient performs activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), then develops strategies to restore or compensate for lost function.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) OT Addresses
- Bathing: Safely entering/exiting the shower or tub; using adaptive equipment like shower chairs and grab bars
- Dressing: Managing buttons, zippers, and putting on shoes with limited range of motion or one-handed technique after stroke
- Grooming: Brushing teeth, combing hair, shaving with affected limbs or cognitive deficits
- Toilet use: Transfers on and off the toilet; adaptive equipment to ensure safety
- Feeding: Relearning to use utensils; adaptive equipment for hand weakness or tremor
Cognitive OT: More Than Just Physical Skills
After stroke or traumatic brain injury, occupational therapists also address cognitive deficits that affect daily function:
- Memory strategies and compensatory techniques
- Attention and concentration training
- Problem-solving and executive function
- Visual-perceptual deficits (common after right-hemisphere stroke)
- Medication management safety
Home Safety Assessment
Before discharge, occupational therapists often conduct a home assessment — sometimes visiting the actual home — to identify hazards and recommend modifications:
- Grab bar placement in bathroom
- Removal of area rugs and fall hazards
- Furniture rearrangement for walker or wheelchair clearance
- Raised toilet seat and tub transfer bench
- Stair rail assessment
Related Resources
April 19, 2026