Ask Your GP About OT: Post-MVA
You may benefit from occupational therapy (OT) following a car accident, even if it is not initially included as a part of your treatment plan. All injured claimants are eligible to receive OT services under Part 7 Benefits. Ask your doctor about OT as they can provide you with a referral to pass onto your ICBC adjuster. The earlier you start occupational therapy, the more likely you are to successfully return to the activities that are important to you.
How do I know if occupational therapy would help me?
OT focuses on what its clients can and want to do. Questions to ask yourself include “Can I do everything I did before my accident?” and “Am I succeeding at work right now?”. If your answer is no to either question, OT might be right for you.
Here are some examples of how occupational therapy helps:
- Coordinating a smooth, safe discharge from hospital
- Reviewing equipment and strategies to improve walking and home safety
- Improving pain management
- Facilitating better memory for daily tasks
- Promoting better sleep, more energy and lighter mood
- Decreasing driving (or other) anxiety
- Providing education and empowerment while connecting you to other health resources and services you may need
- Getting back to dressing, bathing, cooking and cleaning (taking care of yourself or your loved ones), as well as getting into the community again
- Finding ways to safely get back to your work, as comfortably as possible
- Helping you return to your meaningful leisure activities
What should I expect from my occupational therapist?
OTs are university educated healthcare providers and are required to be licensed to practice in BC. You can expect them to:
- Provide objective and medically supported assessments and treatments
- Address your physical, emotional, and cognitive needs
- Use interventions to get back to life
- Focus on activities of daily living (ADLs) including personal care, productivity (at work or school) and leisure
What is the home assessment like?
The assessment begins with a clear understanding of your medical status, prior to meeting you. The OT then meets with you in your home for your comfort and privacy and to understand your specific, individual needs. The OT will do the following, during a 2-hour visit:
- Introductions, answering any questions you might have about OT or the recovery process, and ICBC’s involvement in that process
- A thorough interview to understand your symptoms, concerns, abilities and goals
- Use standardized tools to assess physical, cognitive or emotional impairments
- Observe you doing tasks around the home to ensure safety and/or explore ways to make them easier on your body
- Review the physical safety of your home
- Review treatment options with you
The OT has your safety and comfort in mind at all times; you can ask for breaks or stop the assessment and continue at another day or time at any point.
Resources
Read more about what OT can do for you and your ICBC claim – CAOT-BC Briefing Note (May 2018)