For many people, everyday living is complicated by disease, aging, disability, illness, or trauma. Occupational therapy can provide people with the skills they need to overcome disabling conditions. Occupational therapy is not limited to work-related injuries. Occupation refers to activities that are meaningful to an individual within the environment the person lives and functions. The three areas of occupation are self-care, work and leisure.

Any injury to your hands or arms can hurt your ability to perform even the simplest and most basic daily activities. At St. Michael’s Hospital, we recognize how important it is to you to be able to use your hands and arms, pain-free.

Our Staff
Michelle Newman, OTR, CHT
Loretta Ferg, OTR, CHT
Mary Spielman, OTR
Kylie Steines, COTA

Occupational Therapy in Acute Care
During a hospitalization for an acute illness, injury or surgery, patients may need help to become independent and safe in performing daily living activities. Saint Michael’s Hospital Occupational Therapists provide services to patients requiring assistance with these activities due to loss of range of motion, strength, endurance and/or motor control. Activities of daily living may include feeding, oral hygiene, bathing, dressing and toileting.

Our occupational therapists may educate the patient in the use of adaptive equipment such as reachers, dressing sticks, sponges, long-handled shoe horns and sockaids. The therapist may also fabricate or recommend pre-fabricated splints to promote proper positioning or aid in recovery after injury or surgical intervention.

Our Staff
Michelle Newman, OTR, CHT
Loretta Ferg, OTR, CHT