An OT practitioner notes that a client is not carrying out her home exercise program. When asked about this, she states that her family prefers to do all of her tasks for her so that she can just rest and heal. How should the OT practitioner respond to this information?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is important for the OT practitioner to educate the client and family/caregivers about the importance of the home exercise program and full participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) for healing and recovery. The therapist should assess and address any barriers to compliance and work with the client and family/caregivers to develop a plan that supports independence and participation in meaningful activities. Simply notifying the physician or allowing the caregivers to continue assisting the client without addressing the issue would not address the underlying problem and may hinder the client's progress towards their goals. Focusing solely on intense strengthening techniques may not be appropriate or feasible for the client's current level of function and could potentially impede their progress as well.

An OT Practitioner Notes That a Client Is Not Carrying