Occupational Therapy in Everyday Life: More Than You Think

When you hear the words occupational therapy, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s rehab after an injury or maybe hand therapy. While those are parts of the profession, OT is much broader, and it’s likely more relevant to your everyday life than you realise.

At its heart, OT is about helping people do the things that matter most to them. That might mean getting dressed, preparing meals, catching public transport, joining in play, or simply managing a busy daily routine. These may seem like small tasks, but they’re the building blocks of independence, wellbeing, and participation.

Quick Guide to OT

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What is Occupational Therapy?

One of the most common questions we’re asked is: “What is OT, and what do occupational therapists actually do?”

The answer is simple: occupational therapy helps people take part in everyday activities — the things that give life meaning and purpose. These activities, often called occupations, include daily routines, self-care, work, study, play, leisure, and community participation.

OTs focus on the link between what people want or need to do and how they can do it. That might involve building new skills, finding different ways to complete tasks, or adapting environments to make participation possible.

And OT isn’t limited to one age group or situation. Children, adults, older adults, and people living with disabilities can all benefit from OT at different times in their lives.

How OT Makes a Difference

So how does OT actually help? It depends on the person’s goals, but some of the ways include:

  • Building everyday skills – like getting dressed, cooking, writing, or organising routines.
  • Supporting independence – with strategies that make daily tasks safer and easier.
  • Boosting confidence – through practising real-life skills in supportive ways.
  • Adapting environments – whether that’s making changes at home, school, or work to reduce barriers.
  • Promoting balance – helping people juggle roles, routines, and responsibilities.
  • Encouraging participation – so people can be part of family, school, work, and community life.

OT Across the Lifespan

OT can look different depending on the stage of life:

  • Children: Practising handwriting, attention, play, dressing, or mealtime skills, building confidence at home, school, and with friends.
  • Adults: Finding ways to manage fatigue, balance routines, support mental health, or adapt after illness or injury.
  • Older adults: Staying safe and independent at home, making everyday tasks easier, and continuing to enjoy meaningful activities.
  • People with disabilities: Creating strategies that make daily routines and community access more achievable.

Everyday Examples of OT

To make it more real, here are some of the ways OT can look in practice:

  • Helping a child organise their clothes and school bag so mornings run more smoothly.
  • Supporting a young adult to practise planning and preparing for travel to TAFE.
  • Working with an adult to explore safer ways of cooking after an injury.
  • Supporting a parent to develop strategies for managing fatigue in daily routines.
  • Adjusting an older adult’s bathroom to improve safety and confidence.
  • Assisting a person with disability to build skills for using public transport.
  • Helping an older adult continue gardening by adapting tools and routines.

OT is flexible, practical, and always centred on the goals the person wants to achieve.  

Where OT Works Best

At Back to Basics, delivering therapy in real-life settings isn’t just something we do — it’s part of our philosophy. We know people make the most progress when support is built into their everyday routines and environments.

For occupational therapy especially, this approach is really important. OT focuses on helping people take part in daily occupations – the ordinary activities that shape life at home, school, work, and in the community. Practising these skills in the actual places where they happen makes strategies more practical, meaningful, and easier to use day-to-day.

It also means OTs can look at the environment itself. Sometimes the most effective change isn’t about the person at all, but about adapting the space around them, like adjusting a bathroom for safety, setting up a classroom for better focus, or modifying a kitchen for easier meal preparation.

That might mean:

  • At home, building skills for routines like mealtimes, dressing, or cooking.
  • In schools or TAFE, supporting learning, play, and social participation.
  • At work, helping people adapt tasks, manage fatigue, or organise their day.
  • In aged care facilities or community settings, supporting safety, independence, and engagement.

By embedding therapy into real-life contexts (and considering both the person and their environment) OT becomes more relevant and effective, supporting people to build confidence and independence in the moments that matter most.

The OT Process at Back to Basics Health Group

So how does OT work at Back to Basics? Every person we meet has different goals, strengths, and challenges. That’s why our approach is tailored, flexible, and person-centred.

Here’s what it usually looks like:

  1. Initial Assessment – getting to know routines, strengths, challenges, and goals. This might involve some formal assessments or observations.
  2. Support Plan Development – creating a personalised plan with clear goals and practical therapy strategies.
  3. Therapy Sessions – delivered where it matters most: at home, school, work, or in the community.
  4. Multidisciplinary Team Meetings – OTs may work alongside other professionals such as speech pathologists, behaviour support practitioners, osteopaths, and allied health assistants. This collaborative approach helps ensure support is consistent and coordinated.
  5. Annual Action Reviews – checking progress, celebrating achievements, and setting priorities for the year ahead.

This way, therapy stays goal-driven, practical, and responsive. Our work also aligns with frameworks like the NDIS Practice Standards and Aged Care Quality Standards, keeping services accountable and person-centred.

Why OT Matters

At the end of the day, occupational therapy is about empowering people to live their lives in meaningful ways.

That might look like a child joining in play with friends, an adult feeling ready to get back to work, or an older adult staying independent at home. OT aims to support participation in the moments that matter most.

The scope is wide, but the purpose is simple: to make everyday life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Could OT Help You or Someone You Support?

If daily activities are becoming challenging – whether at home, school, work, or in the community, occupational therapy may help.

At Back to Basics Health Group, our OTs work just about everyone, including children, adults, older adults, and people with disabilities. We collaborate with families, carers, and support networks to develop practical strategies that fit into everyday life.

If you’d like to explore whether OT could support your family, clients, or community, we’d love to hear from you.
You can:

  • Email us at info@backtobasicshealthgroup.com.au
  • Call us on (03) 9763 7613
  • Or complete our online referral form to get started.