How Occupational Therapy Works for Treating TBI Victims
It’s difficult to answer whether a traumatic brain injury can be cured, as every case is different. It’s a question best explored with the help of your doctor, occupational therapist, and other health care providers. They’ll assess your current level of impairment and offer a prognosis for what you might expect in recovery.
Unlike physical therapy, which may focus on mobility and gross motor skills, OT takes a more holistic approach to rehabilitation. Therapists tailor their treatments to individual patients, addressing their particular needs and desires. So your personalized rehabilitation plan might include elements of addressing physical, cognitive, and psychological concerns with task-specific activities that promote neuroplasticity.
Restorative Occupational Therapy
Restorative strategies are generally preferable where possible. Your therapist might have you perform various exercises to restore the level of functionality you had before TBI. This encourages more independent living without reliance on outside help.
Compensatory Occupational Therapy
It may not be possible to restore your previous level of functionality, or you may not be ready. So if you need additional help, your therapist might use compensatory strategies that take advantage of certain modifications and adaptations, including assistive technology, so you have more success completing desired daily tasks.
Paying for the Occupational Therapy You Need to Recover
As helpful as OT can be for brain injury patients, attending regular rehabilitation sessions is expensive. A certified life care planner can estimate the total expected costs for such care. Ask the brain injury lawyers at The Mottley Law Firm about possible options to pay for occupational therapy.
These OT payment options may include:
- Private health care insurance you may have individually or from your employer.
- Optional MedPay coverage from your car insurance policy if the TBI is the result of an automobile accident.
- A personal injury claim against liable parties who caused your brain injury through their negligence or intentional acts.
- Government health coverage, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
- A workers’ compensation claim if the TBI is the result of a workplace accident.
