The OT’s Role Across All Phases of Disaster Management

We are continuing our theme of addressing disaster preparedness for National Safety Month. This blog let’s review OT roles in the different phases of disaster management.

Occupational therapy’s value in disaster management extends far beyond the initial emergency. OTs are essential at every stage—preparedness, response, and recovery—ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities and chronic conditions are met.

Preparedness Phase:

• Client and Family Training: OTs can provide hands-on training in emergency procedures, ensuring clients and their support networks know how to use adaptive equipment during an evacuation.
• Community Collaboration: Therapists can partner with local emergency services to advocate for accessible shelters and transportation options.
• Documentation: OTs can help clients prepare medical summaries, lists of medications, and emergency contacts to streamline care during a crisis.

Response Phase:

• Shelter Support: In emergency shelters, OTs can assist with accessibility modifications, provide adaptive equipment, and address self-care needs.
• Stress Management: OTs can offer strategies for managing anxiety and sensory overload, especially for clients with mental health conditions or sensory processing challenges.

Recovery Phase:

• Restoring Routines: OTs play a critical role in helping clients re-establish daily routines and adapt to new environments if their homes are damaged or destroyed.
• Community Reintegration: Therapists can facilitate social participation and access to community resources, supporting long-term recovery and resilience.

Are you helping your clients prepare for any emergency? What about you and your family, are you prepared? Need to learn for the next step on how you can be engaged in the disaster preparedness in your community?

Despite the clear need, many OTs lack formal disaster training. The course “Disaster Preparedness, Response & Recovery: The Role of OT” provides practical guidance and resources to help therapists confidently engage at every stage of disaster management.

Register here: https://www.thehomeaccessibilitytherapist.com/Disastercourse