[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  APRIL IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH

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                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 1999

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, we've all heard it said that ``when you've 
got your health, you've got everything,'' we also know how hard it is 
to stay healthy as we get older. One profession that helps people deal 
with the problems of aging is occupational therapy. Because April is 
Occupational Therapy Month, I would like to recognize the many fine 
practitioners of this field of health care who live and work in my 
district and across the nation.
  Occupational therapy helps people recover their ``skills for the job 
of living'' so they can have independent, fulfillng lives. It's the 
occupational therapist who shows those afflicted with arthritis new 
techniques of how to shop and care for their homes and gardens in order 
to continue the life to which they are accustomed.
  It is the occupational therapist who shows those afflicted by a 
stroke how to dress and bathe and hold a cup again, even though limited 
in strength, in order to care for their own needs, instead of having to 
rely on others for the basic necessities of daily life.
  The proven efficacy of occupational therapy as a health treatment for 
older persons has recently been documented in the Journal of the 
American Medical Association. Millions more Americans will personally 
be made aware of the invaluable role that occupational therapists play 
in their own lives when the huge baby boom generation begins to retire 
in the next 10 years. It is estimated that there will be more Americans 
over age 85 than under 5!
  I salute the many dedicated occupational therapists and occupational 
therapy assistants for the fine jobs they do each and every day in 
helping older Americans live more productive and rewarding lives.

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