Occupational Therapy: A Lifesaving Career Path

As you grow older, your muscles start to deteriorate and your joints begin to ache and weaken. This is inevitable; so don't try to avoid it. Even if you are extremely active and exercise daily, it will occur. Getting old may not be the cause, you might simply have had a car accident, or a tragic accident of any kind. So, what do you do? You go see an occupational therapist. An occupational therapist uses treatments to assist their patients in leading independent lives(124). Many times after in accident you lose movement in a number of your limbs. Occupational therapists work with you to perform different exercises, stretches, and activities to regain the lost movement. It is true, everyone gets old. As this happens to you, you will lose the ability to live independently. Occupational therapists will help you to keep that ability. Now you ask the question, why be an Occupational therapist? What are the benefits? Occupational therapists make a pretty large sum of money annually. They make an average of $81,572 each year. Not only do occupational therapists receive a salary, but they also get many benefits including bonuses, social security, 401k, disability, healthcare, pensions, and paid time off(
The job outlook for occupational therapy is expected to grow 20 to 26 by 2018. Many openings are with the elderly and in the area of business consulting. A growth in population is what leads to this need in occupational therapists. As the population grows older, more people will need healthcare. The increase in individuals with disables or limited function will also grow the field. Advances in medical related fields have extended the lives of patients that will need long care therapy. Occupational therapists are in high need at schools and at hospitals for both outpatient and inpatient services. The field is especially opening up to men as very few occupational therapists are