Occupational Therapy
Illness or injury can make even routine tasks like getting dressed, driving or grocery shopping difficult. The occupational therapy specialists at Columbia Memorial Hospital can help.
Our occupational therapists are experts in helping people of all ages improve or maintain their independence. We increase your ability to participate in your normal routine at home, work, school or out in the community.
Want to learn more about CMH Occupational Therapy? Listen to a podcast episode recorded with Donna Bzdil, CMH Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Manager, in 2022. Episodes of CMH's Hands on Health podcast are available at anchor.fm/columbiamemorial or wherever you listen to podcasts.
When you need the best occupational therapists
There's no need to travel far from home to get great occupational therapy. CMH's licensed occupational therapists have years of experience and a vast knowledge of the latest therapies.
Here are some of our occupational therapy services and specialty programs:
Therapies that help you recover after injuries, surgeries or illnesses. Our team can help you with daily living skills, like dressing or bathing. We can help you learn these skills while you are in our hospital or after you go home.
Children's occupational therapy. We help children and families manage developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder. Treatments include therapeutic listening therapies (sound therapies) that help children regulate behaviors and improve activities of daily living.
Hand therapy. A therapist in our clinic can help you reach full recovery from hand surgery as well as injuries or illnesses like arthritis, strokes, overuse injuries or accidents.
Lymphedema therapy. Lymphedema can cause painful swelling that limits daily activities. We work with the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative to treat lymphedema related to cancer or its treatments.
Work or home safety assessments. We can visit your home or worksite to identify safety hazards and suggest solutions.
Therapies to manage cognitive changes that affect daily living, For example, we can help you with money management, meal planning, meal preparation and job skills.
Programs to help you safely return to work. When you’re recovering from an injury, we offer specialized testing to evaluate your ability to return to work. And we offer conditioning to help you regain the strength and functional skills needed on the job.
Pre-driver assessments. We perform a series of tests to evaluate driving skills and physical abilities to help people get back behind the wheel safely.
Adaptive equipment. Our team will help you learn to use equipment, such as walking aids and long-handled tools, that can make life safer and easier and help you stay as independent as possible.
Reviewed 1/31/2023
Occupational therapy: True or false?
If you have an accident, illness or other health problem that makes everyday activities difficult, occupational therapists are here to help. Do you know all the ways these specialists can help you live independently?
True or false: Occupational therapy is only appropriate for people with severe, permanent disabilities.
False. This therapy can help people facing a wide range of health challenges. It can, for example, help people with wrist injuries return to their jobs and hobbies. It may help those with arthritis protect their joints by performing tasks differently. And it can help stroke survivors learn new ways to do daily tasks, like dressing and cooking.
True or false: Occupational therapy is most helpful for older adults.
False. Occupational therapists can help children with trouble concentrating succeed in school. They can help youngsters with autism learn to socialize. And they can help kids who use wheelchairs play with peers. They can even help babies and toddlers meet developmental milestones if they're at risk for delays.
True or false: Part of occupational therapists' expertise is helping patients use special equipment.
True. Occupational therapists may suggest adaptive devices—such as wheelchairs, leg braces or eating aids—to help people be more independent. They can also help people modify their homes or workplaces to accommodate their needs and restrictions.
True or false: Occupational therapists tailor their care plan to each person—and each person's own needs and preferences.
True. Occupational therapists help people meet goals that matter to them, whether that's driving, visiting friends or improving memory. They also work closely with family members to help them support these goals.
True or false: Occupational therapy is reserved for those with physical problems.
False. Occupational therapists also help people with a mental illness or emotional problems. They might help them manage activities that otherwise seem overwhelming, such as budgeting, using public transportation or keeping up with household chores.
Discover what other types of therapy might help you or a loved one live more fully when coping with an injury or illness.
Visit the rehabilitation health topic center
Sources: American Occupational Therapy Association; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Our personalized approach to occupational therapy
CMH's occupational therapists will work one-on-one with you starting with your first visit. We’ll take the time to understand any difficulties you’re experiencing and your therapy goals. This helps us to tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs.
To bring you the best possible care, we may collaborate with physical therapists or other members of our rehab team. We will also work closely with your doctor.
Conditions that affect daily living can often affect entire families. So, if you’re comfortable with it, we’ll involve your family in your therapy.
Make an appointment with a CMH occupational therapist
If you need help to overcome a physical or cognitive challenge that's limiting any area of your life, ask your health care provider for a referral to occupational therapy.
To schedule an appointment or to learn more about how we can help you, please call 503.338.7555. Looking for virtual occupational therapy? Oregon patients can also call us at this same number to schedule a video appointment, Monday — Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.