Occupational therapy assessment and treatment in a hospital setting for patients with epilepsy

One Reed is a unit at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute for the evaluation and treatment of patients with poorly controlled seizure disorders. Like many other patients with epilepsy, these individuals frequently experience problems in many facets of daily living. This paper describes the twofold purpose of occupational therapy on One Reed: to provide a program of activity and socialization during the extended period of medical evaluation, and to help patients identify problems in their daily life activities and develop the skills which will enable them to function better after hospitalization. The frame of reference which guides practice is identified and the methods and instruments of occupational therapy assessment for this patient population are described. Typical examples of daily living problems are given, and some occupational therapy methods for dealing with the problems are enumerated.