Occupational Therapy

The outpatient occupational therapy program at WakeMed is designed for people of all ages who are unable to perform their routine, daily activities due to a debilitating illness or injury, among other reasons. Our highly trained and dedicated occupational therapists are on a mission to help these patients restore, as much as possible, the ability to perform desired daily life tasks and function at a maximum level of independence. Along with clinical expertise and evidence-based care, WakeMed offers state-of-the-art technologies to help our patients regain control and use of their arms, hands and fingers. 

Patients We Treat 

Patients we treat have struggled with the effects of:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Arthritis
• Surgery
• Hand Injuries and pain
• Lymphedema
• Amputation
• Disability
• Developmental delay
• Aging
• Birth defect
• Illness such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy
• Other physical and cognitive changes

Services We Provide

Our highly experienced and skilled occupational therapists are trained in human growth and development, which includes helping patients manage the social, emotional and physiological changes that occur after an injury or illness. Using everyday activities and specific training, our therapists help patients work toward regaining the ability to perform tasks that are a priority to them. These tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Self-care (i.e. dress, bathe, toilet, eat)
• Home management (i.e. meal preparation, cooking, cleaning, shopping)
• Strength, balance, resistance training
• Visual processing
• Pre-driving readiness skills
• Using a wheelchair
• Returning to school or work
• Returning to volunteer work or other community activities

Our therapy offerings also include:

• Upper Extremity Bioness (NESS H200 uses functional electrical stimulation to improve upper extremity function)
• SAEBO (a system used to treat neurological patients with limited arm and hand function)
• Personal energy conservation techniques
• Techniques for improved endurance, coordination, perception and cognition

Personalized Care & Treatment 

Each occupational therapy patient at WakeMed receives an individual evaluation and assessment so that our team of therapists can create a customized treatment plan. Often, this also includes:

• An assessment of the home/home modification
• Adaptive equipment
• Training and support for family members
• Home exercise programs
• Fabrication or recommendation of upper extremity splinting

Of utmost importance to our team is helping patients regain as much of their physical independence as possible, with a dedicated focus on the daily life activities that most define them.

If you feel you can benefit from the occupational therapy services at WakeMed, find an outpatient location that is convenient to you and call us today – 919-350-7422.