Occupational therapy helps people to learn and regain the abilities that they need in order to go about their daily lives, such as eating, getting dressed, and more. Both inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy work to help you regain your independence so that you can live a healthier and safer life. Some people may be unsure whether they would benefit more from inpatient or outpatient occupational therapy. Both inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy can enable you to recover the abilities needed to live independently, but there are some key differences between the two.
Here is what you need to know about the differences between inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy so that you can know more about which option might be best for you or one of your loved ones.
The Goals Of Occupational Therapy
Both inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy work to help you adapt to your condition and develop strength so that everyday tasks are easier to conduct. Occupational therapy can greatly improve both your quality of life and your mental health, as it grants you the independence that you may have lost as a result of your condition.
Some of the things that occupational therapy can help you do include:
- How you perform daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth, feeding yourself, walking, getting dressed, and more.
- Improved confidence in how you carry out day-to-day activities.
- Endurance for carrying out movements.
- Improved self-esteem through gaining more confidence and independence.
- Increased safety and comfort in your day-to-day life.
Occupational therapy does this by focusing on:
- Fine-motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Focus and attention
- Social skills
- Self-care tasks
Both inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy improve how you perform your daily tasks. Injury, illness, and the development of certain conditions can impact your ability to live independently. Occupational therapy works to help you recover said abilities. If you need assistive devices in order to do so, your occupational therapist will recommend some to you.
What Is Inpatient Occupational Therapy?
Inpatient occupational therapy is for those who have been hospitalized, have chronic conditions, or have severe illnesses. When you are in an inpatient setting, your occupational therapist is there to help you adapt and develop strength while forming long-term goals.
People who obtain inpatient occupational therapy typically have one or more of the following conditions:
- Recovering from surgery
- Having difficulty completing daily tasks as they used to
- Are receiving care for a traumatic injury or illness
- Are at risk for developmental delay due to prolonged hospitalization (as can happen with children)
- Are experiencing changes in functional ability
- Are undergoing treatment for acute, chronic, or complex medical conditions
What Is Outpatient Occupational Therapy?
Outpatient occupational therapy is for more manageable conditions and smaller injuries. You will go see your occupational therapist in their clinic however often you need according to your specific condition. Your occupational therapy treatment plan will be customized to your specific needs and may be adjusted in order to better suit you.
People who obtain outpatient occupational therapy typically have one or more of the following conditions:
- Having suffered an injury, illness, or other condition that limits their physical abilities
- Having a chronic health condition that impacts your functionality, such as Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and more
If you are able to get transportation to your clinic and can live outside of an inpatient setting, outpatient occupational therapy can help you regain the abilities needed to go about your day-to-day life.
Should You Get Inpatient Or Outpatient Occupational Therapy?
Both inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy can greatly improve your ability to participate in the normal activities of your daily therapy. There are some key differences between inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy that can impact which is right for you.
Inpatient occupational therapy is good for those who have more intensive conditions. As your occupational therapist is around more often, people often progress quicker in inpatient settings.
Outpatient occupational therapy is good for those with less intensive conditions who can live at home. People can progress slower in outpatient occupational therapy, as you need to do exercises at home in order to improve.
Whether you get inpatient or outpatient occupational therapy depends on your specific condition and your needs.
Do You Need Occupational Therapy?
Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy provides outpatient occupational therapy services. In addition to helping you regain the abilities needed to gain independence, we can also help your family, employers, and teachers learn how to support you. Contact us today to learn more about our occupational therapy services.
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