[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to acknowledge April as 
Occupational Therapy Month. Occupational therapy is a health, wellness, 
and rehabilitation service provided by medically qualified 
professionals whose expertise includes anatomy, physiology, psychology 
and other disciplines which enable them to provide ``skills for the job 
of living.''
  Occupational therapy is based on performing the meaningful activities 
of daily life, such as self-care, education, work, or social 
interaction, especially to enable or enhance participation in such 
activities despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental 
functioning. Occupational therapy helps children with disabilities in 
schools learn, help adults with mental illness function safely in the 
community, and helps stroke and other neurological patients recover as 
much ability as possible to lead full, productive, meaningful lives.
  More than 2300 occupational therapists live and practice in the great 
state of Illinois of which 125 providers reside in my district, in 
western and central Illinois.
  This year's focus for Occupational Therapy Month is older driver 
issues. The number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to double 
to 70 million by the year 2030. With an increasing proportion of 
elderly persons expected to stay mobile longer, health care 
professionals, policymakers, and caregivers have raised concerns about 
addressing driving safety and quality-of-life issues among older 
adults.
  Occupational therapy can optimize and prolong an older driver's 
ability to drive safely, and ease the transition to other forms of 
transportation if driving cessation becomes necessary. By identifying 
strengths as well as physical or cognitive challenges, occupational 
therapists can evaluate an individual's overall ability by testing his 
or her vision, reaction time, strength, judgment, and endurance to 
operate a vehicle safely and recommend assistive devices or behavioral 
changes to limit risks.
  I want to recognize occupational therapists and occupational therapy 
assistants in the important service they provide to millions of 
individuals and families and to our nation as a whole.

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