Making It Possible

At the heart of our occupational therapy department is the belief that meaningful activities support health, well-being, and quality of life. 

How Occupational Therapists Approach Treatment

Occupational therapists look closely at the entire process of completing a task—not just whether the task can or cannot be done. We evaluate the physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, and environmental factors that may be affecting your performance.

For example, if you are having difficulty preparing meals, an occupational therapist may assess your:

  • Strength, coordination, and endurance
  • Attention, memory, and problem-solving skills
  • Sensory processing or pain
  • Emotional regulation and stress
  • Home setup, organization, and accessibility
  • Energy conservation and daily routines

From there, the therapist develops individualized strategies and interventions to help you succeed in meaningful daily activities. This may include:

  • Teaching new movement patterns or adaptive techniques
  • Improving fine motor skills, coordination, and upper extremity function
  • Addressing cognitive or sensory challenges
  • Recommending adaptive equipment or environmental modifications
  • Building routines and organizational systems
  • Supporting emotional regulation and coping strategies
  • Gradually increasing participation in valued activities

Occupational therapy is highly personalized to your goals, routines, and life roles. We are dedicated to building your maximum independence, increased participation and improving your quality of life with your day-to-day activities including self-care, work and leisure activities.  

Common Specialized OT Services

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Training in self-care tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, and grooming.
  • Instrumental ADLs (IADLs): Assistance with more complex daily tasks like cooking, grocery shopping, driving, and managing medications.
  • Assistive Technology: Customizing and training individuals to use wheelchairs, adaptive tools, and communication devices.
  • Environmental Modifications: Evaluating homes, schools, or workplaces to recommend ramps, grab bars, and ergonomic setups.
  • Mental Health Support: Teaching coping strategies, stress management, and routine-building for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

Scheduling

Occupational Therapy is available via Telehealth for both children and adults. Click here for more information on our Telehealth services.

A physician referral may be required for Occupational Therapy services. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 218-387-3276.

Occupational therapy is offered in a variety of settings at North Shore Health

Occupational therapy services are available in multiple areas throughout our facility to support patients across a variety of care settings. In addition to outpatient services, occupational therapy may be provided within the hospital and care center to help patients improve their ability to perform daily activities, maintain independence, and enhance their overall quality of life. Our team works collaboratively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to provide individualized care based on each patient’s unique needs and goals.

In the event of an injury or a medical emergency that impacts independence, North Shore Hospital provides patients with Occupational Therapy during their stay in order to restore function, prevent further decline, and coordinate care including transition and discharge planning. Occupational therapy focuses on addressing deficits and barriers that limit the patient’s ability to perform activities that they need or want to do related to the independence in self-care, home management, work related tasks and participating in leisure and community pursuits.

Occupational Therapy at North Shore Health provides a function-based and client centered approach.  Assistance with improving independence, participation, and improved quality of life that were impacted by a variety of conditions, including:

  • Parkinson's
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Stroke
  • Dementia
  • Chronic or degenerative diseases
  • Physical disabilities
  • Mental health disorders

*Home safety evaluations are available when appropriate.

For more detailed information about Occupational Therapy for Outpatient Adults, click here. 

Occupational Therapy works in collaboration with the North Shore Living care team in order to develop creative interventions that improve quality of life and maintain ability while aging.  This may include providing adaptive equipment to assist with participation in functional activities or offer expertise in modifying the environment to maximize independence, energy conservation or task simplification.