Lahey Hospital & Medical Center’s occupational therapists (OTs) have a wide range of skills and expertise and work closely with physicians, nurses and other therapists. Our occupational therapists help patients achieve their maximum level of independence following an injury or disease. Additionally, they teach patients the tools necessary to achieve independence in all facets of their lives.
Inpatient Occupational Therapy
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center’s inpatient occupational therapists help patients who are in the hospital achieve their maximal level of independence with everyday activities (e.g., self-feeding, bathing, dressing and work activities). Injuries, illness or disease processes frequently interfere with a person’s ability to perform these “activities of daily living” (ADLs). Therefore, a major aspect of occupational therapy is to restore the necessary underlying skills needed for ADLs, such as upper extremity strengthening, range of motion, fine motor skills and coordination. When functional skills cannot be restored, OTs work with patients to find compensatory or alternative methods to accomplish ADLs.
Outpatient Occupational Therapy
Our outpatient occupational therapy service is comprised of a growing number of occupational therapists and certified hand therapists who work with a variety of patients to restore and/or maximize functional use of their hands and arms after an injury or disease. They work closely with Lahey’s hand surgeons.
Occupational and certified hand therapists treat patients with a variety of upper extremity disorders such as hand/wrist fractures, nerve injuries, arthritis and tendonitis, as well as a number of neuromuscular disorders. Through custom splinting, exercise and strengthening, these patients are assisted back to their normal daily living.
How to Reach Occupational Therapists at Lahey
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center’s occupational therapy service is based out of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington and Lahey Danvers. Our hours are 7:30 am to 5 pm.