Which professional's role includes evaluations for skills necessary for independent daily living?

The role of an occupational therapist is specifically focused on helping individuals develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. This includes conducting evaluations to determine a person's abilities and needs related to performing activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and other essential self-care tasks.

Occupational therapists use standardized assessments and observational methods to evaluate the skills necessary for independent living. This thorough assessment allows them to create personalized intervention plans aimed at improving functional abilities and enhancing the quality of life for individuals.

Other professionals, such as nurse practitioners or licensed practical nurses, typically provide healthcare services and manage medical conditions, while enterostomal therapists specialize in wound care, ostomies, and incontinence management. While these roles are essential in patient care, they do not focus specifically on evaluating and improving skills for independent daily living in the way that occupational therapists do.