October 2026 eCommunication

Lymphedema and Daily Life:

Where Occupational Therapy Makes a Difference

This Occupational Therapy Month, let’s recognize how occupational therapy (OT) can help people living with lymphedema navigate everyday life.

Living with lymphedema can affect many parts of everyday life. Challenges may include managing compression routines, skin care, fatigue, dressing, work, travel, and social activities.

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people participate in the activities that matter most to them. By considering individual abilities, routines, environments, and goals, OTs offer practical strategies to support daily function, self-management, and independence.

OTs Can Help With:

• Daily self-care: Adapting dressing, bathing, skin care, and other routines to make everyday tasks easier.
• Compression routines: Finding practical strategies to incorporate compression garments and related care routines into daily life.
• Energy and fatigue management: Exploring pacing, activity planning, and energy conservation strategies to balance daily responsibilities with rest.
• Work and travel: Identifying adaptations that make it easier to manage lymphedema while working, commuting, travelling, or spending time away from home.
• Home accessibility and set-up: Recommending changes to the home environment, equipment, or task set-up to support safety and independence.
• Social participation and meaningful activities: Finding ways to stay connected with family, friends, hobbies, and community life.

When Might Occupational Therapy Be Helpful?

Occupational therapy may be helpful when lymphedema, or the routines involved in managing it, begin to affect everyday activities such as dressing, self-care, work, travel, home tasks, fatigue management, or participation in activities that matter to you.

If you’re wondering whether occupational therapy could be helpful, talk with your health care team or an occupational therapist about your individual needs.

Turning OT Knowledge Into Practical Resources

The Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF) collaborated with OT students from the University of Alberta on their capstone project to develop evidence-informed resources supporting people living with lymphedema.

These resources are designed to support self-management, self-advocacy, and participation in meaningful daily activities, and were developed drawing on current research and occupational therapy perspectives, with a focus on the everyday realities of living with lymphedema.

Living with Lymphedema:

Quick Card Series

Living with Lymphedema:

Daily Living Strategies Pamphlet

Learning About Lymphedema:

Tips for Talking to Your Health Care Team

Learning About Lymphedema:

Tips for Talking to Your Patients

Join us for Pathways LIVE: Authors in Conversation

with Naomi Dolgoy, M.OT, CLT, PhD



Monday, October 19, 2026 | 12:00 PM–1:00 PM EDT | FREE

Drawing on recent research and Pathways resources, Naomi will explore some of the practical considerations when choosing clothing and footwear, including comfort, function, confidence, and the day-to-day realities of lymphedema self-management.

Whether you are living with lymphedema, supporting someone who is, or working in lymphedema care, join us for an engaging and practical conversation — and submit your own questions for Naomi when you register.

Lymphedema and Chronic Edema Management: Microcredential Course for Health Professionals

October 28-December 5, 2026 | Online | $350

More than 1.25 million Canadians – roughly 1 in 33 people – are living with lymphedema.

Greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of lymphedema and chronic edema can support earlier recognition and appropriate referral.

Build your knowledge of these conditions through the University of Alberta’s online Lymphedema and Chronic Edema Management microcredential course, co-developed with the Canadian Lymphedema Framework.

The Fall 2026 course includes five modules covering key areas of lymphedema and chronic edema management, including compression therapy.

Registration is now open for the Fall 2026 session beginning October 28.

Join us in Halifax from May 13-15, 2027, for the Canadian Lymphedema Framework Assembly 2027: Canada Connects – a new kind of national gathering designed for learning, connection, and collaboration.

Registration is now OPEN.

Early Rate: $249 CAD (Available through December 31, 2026)

Regular Rate: $299 CAD (Beginning January 1, 2027)

The Canadian Lymphedema Framework gratefully acknowledges the support of our industry partners. Their contributions help make our work possible and support education, awareness, and connection across the lymphedema community. We invite you to visit them online to learn more about their lymphedema products and services. Click any logo below to go directly to their website.

©2026 Canadian Lymphedema Framework | Website