Easing the pain of arthritis
Arthritis changes lives. Tasks that were once simple are made difficult. This is where the Occupational Therapy (OT) program at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program comes in.
How does the OT team help?
The OT team helps people to maintain their independence and their function at home, at work and during favourite past times. They assess new patients and help them learn how to do activities and tasks they now find difficult because of their arthritis.
OTs help patients re-learn activities and tasks by:
- Using adaptive advices and lifting objects differently
- Changing how things are setup around their home
- Providing education about conserving energy and managing fatigue
- Using, and making, splints to help relieve joint pain
- Giving information and making custom orthotics
- Providing education about proper footwear
How do we help more remote clients?
For clients that live in more remote areas there is an outreach service program, Travelling Occupational Therapist Service (TOTS). There are currently four OTs who work in TOTS. These OTs travel, one at a time, to remote areas of British Columbia to provide much needed services.
Sarah Bryant, an occupational therapist, has worked with Mary Pack for 6 years. “I love that there is so much variety,” she says. “And getting to work with the client as a team, you problem solve together.”
Mary Pack Arthritis Program
There is a robust arthritis program, Mary Pack Arthritis, available through VCH. We have rheumatologists, physiotherapists, social workers, nurses, and more, who offer a wide variety of services to clients. These services include:
- Exercise programs
- Outpatient education
- Emotional support
- Financial advice
- Medication education
There are also many different programs for clients living with arthritis. These programs include:
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Early arthritis program
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Patient education program