How to Return to Work After Mental Impairment

Are you planning to return to work despite your cognitive impairment? Though you may be feeling better, rushing back to work can be dangerous.

Though you may feel you’ve made a full physical recovery, subtle signs of cognitive impairment may remain. Such impairments can affect your ability to process information, organize tasks, or concentrating for sustained periods of time.

Workers are well-advised to closely work with a Healthpointe occupational therapist. These therapists will provide knowledgeable and skilled interventions, which will be valuable in maximizing your independence. You will be able to participate well in meaningful activities in your life and work.

Failing to receive occupational therapy after a workplace injury can exacerbate cognitive impairments which may result in the following consequences:

  • Difficulty perceiving and performing your roles in the workplace, including reduced ability to understand duties as an employee in relation to your supervisors and peers;
  • Inability to plan, execute and evaluate processes without initial guidance, support and structure;
  • Short-term memory challenges, such as not returning phone calls, not following up on tasks, and not applying information on tasks;
  • Hearing impairments including inability to effectively process auditory information, such as mishearing spoken instructions;
  • Challenges in the visual and spatial aspects, which can led to misunderstanding written instructions; and
  • Reduced attention, insight and problem solving skills resulting in missing vital information due to lack of concentration, which can be aggravated by the presence of distractions in the work environment (e.g., noise).

Other signs of cognitive impairments include reduced ability for self-care; poor sleep patterns; and depression or anxiety over work performance.

The bottom line is: If you plan to return to work after an injury, you have to be evaluated by an occupational therapist.

If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, seek treatment at any of our clinics, such as the Long Beach Healthpointe clinic for occupational therapy services. We cater to patients from the Signal Hill, Carson, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Bellflower, Compton, Hawaiian Gardens, and Los Alamitos areas, too.

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Long Beach by Signal Hill, Carson, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Bellflower, Compton, Hawaiian Gardens, and Los Alamitos. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.

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