Ask an Expert: Gina Fernandez Explains Occupational Therapy for Parkinson’s
Gina is an Occupational Therapist registered with the College of Occupational Therapists in British Columbia and a PWR!Moves Therapist. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008, after finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University.
What is occupational therapy (OT)?
Occupational therapy (OT) is the art and science of enabling individuals to participate in meaningful activities or occupations by using evidence-based practices and clinical reasoning. Occupational therapists can enable individuals by restoring function, providing equipment, changing the environment, providing strategies or teaching new skills to people to help them to succeed at specific tasks or occupations. We assist individuals in the areas of self-care (feeding or eating, bathing, dressing, toileting or grooming) work, volunteering and leisure (hobbies). An occupation may be different for each person—for example: a child’s occupation may include playing on the playground; a young adult’s occupation may include attending school or working; a mother’s occupation may include looking after the household and her children; and a retiree’s occupation may be that of a golfer or grandparent.
What type of training do occupational therapists need?
In Canada, every occupational therapist holds a Bachelor’s degree or an entry-level Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapists in British Columbia are legally required to be registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia to practice in this province.
If a person with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is looking for an OT to improve their physical functioning and provide physical exercises, then they should look for an OT with PWR!Moves Certification. However, all OTs are qualified to provide cognitive exercises and perform home or equipment assessments for people with PD.
What are some common therapies or routines you might help establish for patients with Parkinson’s disease?
We often assist clients in establishing routines to improve their sleep quality and conserve energy, which enables them to participate in the activities that are important to them, such as work, parenting and leisure interests.
How might the role of an OT change as the disease progresses?
In the early stages of the disease, you may see an OT assessing a client’s problem solving, thinking and memory, or providing equipment such as grab bars for the toilet/shower or bathtub seats if a person has decreased balance. Later, if a person with PD finds it challenging to walk long distances, an OT may recommend special wheelchairs to enable clients to still get out of their home and engage in the community. In later stages of disease progression, you may see an OT preventing skin wounds by prescribing special mattresses, or recommending hospital beds or ceiling lifts for transferring clients that can no longer walk on their own. We often perform home safety assessments, provide physical rehabilitation or memory/ problem solving exercises, and offer workplace modifications to make a person’s job less demanding.
How might someone with Parkinson’s disease go about accessing OT services in BC?
Every health authority (Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Northern Health Authority, etc.) or geographical area has a community team (home health team) of occupational therapists who can go into homes and perform safety assessments and recommend equipment. These OT services are free to individuals who have a family doctor. Clients do not require a referral to access these OT services (the Home Health Service Line is 1-855-412-2121).
There are also Specialized Senior Clinics that can be accessed if clients are over the age of 65, have complex medical needs and have noticed memory changes. These clinics have OTs working there whose services are free of charge. A doctor’s referral is needed for the Seniors’ Clinics. You will also find that most hospitals have outpatient rehabilitation programs with an OT on staff that can provide exercises to clients.
Lastly, Parkinson Society BC maintains a list of healthcare providers, and the Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) website (www.pwr4life.org/professionaldirectory) has an up-to-date listing of OTs who have taken the course.
What are some tips you have or resources you would suggest for people with PD who might not have access to occupational therapy?
I would encourage them to reach out to physiotherapists as we have certain areas of overlap, and they can usually recommend some equipment to improve mobility and safety in the home. Individuals can also seek assistance from recreation therapists, as they can often help clients engage in community leisure activities.
This content was published in the Spring 2018 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.