Occupational Therapy

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a series of standardized physical tests used to assess an individual’s functional capacities for work. The FCE is typically used either to determine if the person has the capacity to return to their original job or to assess a person’s potential ability to perform a different job. The FCE can also provide any expected permanent physical limitations and abilities. The FCE can be customized to assess a person’s capacity for many different jobs. We offer both 1-day and 2-day FCE’s.

A 2-day Cognitive Functional Evaluation includes both standardized assessments of cognitive functioning and informal observations. The CFE assesses an individual’s memory, attention, planning, problem-solving, learning, impulsivity, and frustration tolerance. The CFE also measures fatigue, balance, dizziness, and visual difficulties. The individual’s use or lack of adaptive and/or compensatory strategies is also assessed. The CFE report provides objective evidence of the individuals’ cognitive limitations and abilities and recommendations for return to work planning.

Employers are using pre-employment screenings not only to enhance worker productivity but also to minimize the threat of litigation for discriminatory hiring practices and to reduce the risk of injuries.

We provide employers with the vital physical information required in order to determine an employee’s physical suitability to safely work in particular fields. An Occupational Therapist (OT) administers a number of job-specific physical tests in order determine the applicant’s physical functional abilities and limitations for the job. The OT then generates a report outlining an individual physical suitability for the job.

A job site assessment is performed to evaluate an employee’s job demands and the physical activity factors necessary to perform each task. Written recommendations are provided regarding the approach to the task, ergonomic design, or return-to-work programs.

A Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) is the foundation of an accurate post-offer screening program as it is used to match the applicant’s abilities to a specific set of job demands.

The PDA involves examining a particular job and breaking it down into individual tasks. Occupational Therapists (OTs) evaluate weights, forces, frequency, and duration of all tasks performed. It is also important to include information about the environment and organizational and cognitive demands of the job. Once the PDA is completed the OT generates a comprehensive report.

Ergonomic Assessments analyze and identify the physical demands, risk factors and hazards that have the potential to cause discomfort and/or injury to a worker while performing their job duties. The assessments provide recommendations to eliminate and reduce risk factors and minimize potential injury risk to employees.

A Cost of Future Care assessment is a comprehensive report identifying the services and equipment required that would enable an individual to maximally reach their pre-morbid level of functioning and quality of life. The analysis contains a justification and cost analysis of any services and equipment required. The report is based upon published standards of practice, comprehensive assessments, data analysis, and research, which provides an organized and concise plan for current and future needs. It also outlines the reasonable and necessary costs associated with these needs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs.

We complete Cost of Future Care assessments in a way that reflects the needs of the catastrophically ill or injured to ensure that the plan adequately funds the client from the onset of disability through life.

At the beginning of the situational assessment, the occupational therapist and/or vocational consultant assesses the client’s vocational skills for specific job duties. Once the assessment is concluded the clinician develops strategies for work specific skills development and works directly with the client in addressing any return to work barriers. The situational assessment provides the client and the referral source with a practical written rehabilitation plan and strategies outlining the client’s limitations and abilities including recommendations for work reintegration. In addition, it comments on the client’s ability to return to paid employment.

This assessment is conducted at an individual’s home. This assessment allows an Occupational Therapist (OT) to assess the client’s ability for personal care, housekeeping, home maintenance, transportation and community management, and to meet functional requirements for activities of daily living. The OT makes recommendations related to safety concerns, home layout modifications, assistive devices or external assistance.

Individualized Neuro-Occupational Rehabilitation services are offered to individuals who have sustained a head injury. These services include cognitive rehabilitation, situational assessments, and life skills development.

Many aspects are being considered while providing services to head injured individuals such as cognitive, behavioural, psychological, physical abilities and limitations, and home environment effects on clients and their families. We work and plan together with the client and all involved parties.

Cognitive rehabilitation is a process in which an individual who is disabled by injury or disease works with healthcare professionals to alleviate cognitive insufficiencies. Our four main approaches to cognitive rehabilitation include cognitive retraining through exercises or stimulation; strategies derived from cognitive neuro-psychology; cognitive psychology and behavioural psychology; strategies that combine techniques and holistic approaches that address cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of brain injury.

Recent research suggests that the holistic approach may be best for people with non-progressive brain damage to improve independence, employability, and quality of life.

Our professionals work together with an individual teaching and providing them with essential life strategies, for example, money management and home skills management, as well as assist clients to gain control over behavioural challenges associated with their brain injury. This helps clients to achieve higher levels of independence in the areas of employment, education, meaningful daily activities and relationships with family and others.

We believe that community reintegration should emphasize a multidisciplinary approach, which also includes peers and family, in an attempt to close the gap between treatment activities and functional competence in the individual’s natural environment. Our primary focus of a Community Activation Program is on what the individual needs to achieve for returning to work, school, vocational and social interests. Ongoing assessment of progress and modification of goals is critical to the clients’ success. Community Activation Programs may include one or all of the following: physical exercises, volunteer work and clinical counselling.

Diversified Rehabilitation Group’s Work Integration & Conditioning (WIC) Program not only prepares a client for the physical and cognitive demands of a job through specific work simulation but also offers active job search assistance. The client’s functional abilities are assessed and compared to the actual physical and cognitive demands of the specified job. Then, utilizing the resources of a multidisciplinary team, an individualized WIC plan is tailored to condition the client’s limitations (physical and/or cognitive) with respect to the specific demands of the job.

The WIC Program:

• Provides a Cost-Effective Method to Return Clients to Work
• Introduces Work Integration with an Employer
• Addresses Cognitive & Physical Limitations
• Provides the Expertise of a Multidisciplinary Team
• Prepares a Client for Job Interviews and Develops Job Search Skills

The length of the Program is 6 to 8 weeks (3 times per week, 4 hours per day) and is available in Kelowna, BC.