Occupational Therapy/Independent Living Services

Why Occupational Therapy (OT)?

• Live your life to its fullest beyond an injury, illness, or disability through the therapeutic use of daily activities.
• Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.
• OT is an evidence-based practice deeply rooted in science. 

Lighthouse occupational therapists have experience working with children, teens, young adults to senior citizens. Our occupational therapists can address general OT needs as well as low vision specific needs. 

In addition to occupational therapy, the Lighthouse offers independent living training services. These services may be very similar to those described above for occupational therapy, but funded by different sources and more flexible in instances when occupational therapy is not a good match.  Our Independent Living services are delivered by our occupational therapists or other highly qualified Lighthouse professionals. These services are funded by our Older Americans Act Title III funding, waivers, grants, cost share and other funding sources.  Ask us about possibilities.

What happens during occupational therapy?

• An individualized evaluation and risk assessment
• Customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach specified goals
• An outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan

• Assessing environmental needs and implementing technology and adaptive equipment to address home safety
• Strength, balance, and/or incontinence management programs to improve safety, quality of life, and promote aging in place
• Wheelchair positioning to address skin health, and functional mobility
• Daily living skills like meal prep, feeding, self-cares, homemaking, medication management, telecommunication and computer skills

Additionally, our Lighthouse occupational therapists have extensive specialty training in the field of Low Vision Rehabilitation.

An occupational therapist with the Lighthouse will visit you in your home and give you options on making the most of your vision. After getting to know you and your goals, a Lighthouse occupational therapist can:

• Show you how to make the most of your vision, through low vision aids and by learning news ways of doing what is important to you
• Conduct a home lighting and safety assessment and recommend simple home modifications to make things safer and easier to use
• Connect you with community services for transportation and help with chores
• Work with you on other goals important to you

How much does OT cost?

Occupational therapy services can be billed to medical insurance, so a small co-pay may be involved depending on your insurance plan.

How far will the OT travel to see me?

Lighthouse occupational therapists can visit you at your home or in your community throughout the Arrowhead region of Northern MN and Northwestern Wisconsin.

Find out how occupational therapists made a difference for others experiencing vision loss and read some Lighthouse client success stories.