VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Occupational therapy workshop where Veterans design and paint ceramic mugs.

Recognizing our Dedicated Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities.

The term used in the title of this profession, “Occupational” can be misunderstood to be limited to work-related or return-to-work activities. While true, this vital field actually serves a much wider and encompassing role. OT partners with the VA’s primary care to help Veterans improve their health and well-being by being able to do what they need and want to do in their everyday lives.

According to VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Occupational Therapy Chief, June Petty, the medical center OT staff are dedicated to serving our Nation’s heroes.

“They are a great team of OTs and certified OT assistant who are both professional and fun-loving. They are dedicated to helping our Veterans gain and maintain functional independence and live their lives to the fullest!”

VAGLAHS includes a staff of 15 licensed occupational therapists and one licensed certified occupational therapy assistant located at the West Los Angeles Medical Center and Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center. The OTs work in a variety of areas including outpatient clinic, home based primary care, mental health creative arts clinic, adult day healthcare, inpatient clinic, and community living center.

Healthcare Benefits

OT can assist Veterans in continuing to take care of their health needs while still doing the activities they enjoy, simply by adapting or doing things differently. OT practitioners assist Veterans to maintain their current level of activities (prevention) or restore function after an injury or illness (rehabilitation). The focus also includes those Veterans who may be facing declines in health to stay active and take care of their everyday needs.

OT healthcare objectives can even extend beyond the day into a Veteran’s evenings. For example, occupational therapy can help prevent falls at night by recommending better lighting, or identifying trip hazards or where grab bars can be useful.

Helping with Lifestyle Transitions

When a Veteran has to give up driving, occupational therapy can help the Veteran use other modes of transportation so they can get to the store, engage in recreational activities, take in cultural events and see friends.

OT also helps Veterans in their homes after being in the hospital by making sure they can take care of themselves, get groceries, cook meals, take care of their pets, and manage their upcoming VA appointments.

During a primary care medical visit, the VA provider can invite an occupational therapist to join in and partner with the veteran and doctor to problem-solve and suggest workable accommodations when there are concerns about the Veteran’s self-care or personal safety.

Empowering Veterans to Take Charge of their Lives

OT specialists play an important role in helping our veterans figure out what is important to them and discover their interests and capabilities. This includes helping to develop plans and taking steps to reach agreed-upon goals.

Some Veterans want to organize their lives and take care of personal business, while others want to get back into a more healthy routine. Some Veterans want to feel useful again and give back to their community or their fellow Veterans. OT professionals play an active role enabling Veterans do what is important and personally rewarding to them regardless of a veteran’s physical or mental limitations.

OT practitioners enable our Veterans to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or a disability. Doing so influences and prolongs a rewarding quality of life.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back to our Veterans,” said Petty. “I like having the opportunity to supervise therapists working with Veterans across the continuum of care.”