The Canadian Association of
Occupational Therapists- BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) is encouraged by the BCGovernment announcement to invest in residential care staffing
levels in order to increase the direct care seniors receive to 3.36
hours per-resident day. CAOT-BC believes the addition of new full-time
equivalent positions, including 50 allied-health care professionals
(occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social work), will mean better quality
care for BC’s seniors. Occupational therapists provide key services for seniors
in residential care including preventing injuries, improving independence and
enhancing quality of life.
However, more training is needed to meet the demand for
occupational therapy in the province of BC.
CAOT-BC has long been calling
for a strengthening of BC occupational therapy workforce. Currently there are
just 48 occupational therapists graduating from the UBC Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy program every year,
which is simply not enough to support BC’s aging population and the growing
demand for services. Currently, BCs health employers are forced to recruit from
other provinces or even other countries. What is needed is an immediate
increase in funding to train occupational therapits here in BC. CAOT-BC has
long advocated for improved access to occupational therapy services and will continue
to meet and work with government to ensure BC’s seniors have access to the care
they need.
About Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs)
improve the health and well-being of people by creating client-centred
solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are
important to their everyday lives. Whether working in homes, communities,
hospitals, workplaces or schools, OTs are valued members of health teams as
their interventions improve lives and save money. OTs work with patients in a
range of settings with a wide variety of physical, mental and cognitive
conditions that are chronic or episodic in nature. By considering the
individual, in his or her environment and determining the necessary
competencies and skills set to “manage” the business of “daily functioning and
living” OTs are able to unleash an individual’s potential so that s/he can
participate and thrive in daily life.
About CAOT-BC
CAOT-BC is a regional chapter
of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the voice of
occupational therapists in British Columbia.
Contact:
Sarah Charles, OT
Service Coordinator, CAOT-BC
Canadian Association of
Occupational Therapists
1-800-434-2268 ext. 245
#OT365
No comments:
Post a Comment