Benefits of occupational therapy art showcased

10 April 2017

Last week, art technicians and occupational therapists hosted a number of staff in the art room, including chief executive Paul Allen. They explained the benefits of art occupational therapy for patients undergoing rehabilitation and residents in long-term care. The art room has a range of useful facilities and tools to help patients and residents to create art, such as one-handed scissors (above), an adjustable-height sink, and a badge press. Attendees were invited to make use of some of the art room’s facilities and materials, combining paper, sequins and other media to make pin badges of their very own.

Benefits of occupational therapy art

Art can be used to help patients at the RHN work towards their rehab goals. Counterweights that make it easier to lift an arm can be used to build strength while painting, for example. Planning and executing tasks such as creating a mosaic can help with concentration and memory goals.

For individuals with a prolonged disorder of consciousness, other media in the art room are used to assess responses to various stimuli. The ‘sensory tray’ is themed to each season, and currently involves things like eggs, water, feathers and flowers. These are used to elicit responses to senses like touch, smell and hearing.