It can be hard to know what your aging relative’s needs will be as they transition into a time in their life where they need help with daily activities and care. One of the most important resources you can access for them is occupational therapy. April is National Occupational Therapy Month and it’s an ideal time to determine whether your loved one can benefit from some specialized attention.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a health care treatment program that helps elderly and disabled individuals redesign their lives due to their physical and mental limitations. Occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants want to help elderly adults improve their abilities to performing daily tasks and expand how they care for themselves.
Who Needs Occupational Therapy?
When an elderly person is hospitalized or goes through a serious illness, many doctors will refer them to an occupational therapist. The therapist can assess the patient’s needs and abilities. Then, they design a treatment plan to educate and train elderly adults to compensate and overcome certain challenges. Even though the aging adult will still require help from family caregivers and elder care assistants, they will likely be able to do many asks on their own.
What is Occupational Therapy Like?
The goal of occupational therapy is to promote a greater quality of life and a healthier lifestyle for those with challenges. For example, a therapist may work on exercises that help seniors with a stroke or arthritis to strengthen those fine motor skills they need for buttoning, zipping and buckling clothes. Another example is how an occupational therapist may work with an elderly patient on how to safely use the shower and toilet after grab bars are installed. Seniors and family caregivers will also learn how to optimize the home for better livability.
Occupational Therapy Compliments Existing Care
Many seniors already depend on family members, friends and elder care aides to help them with numerous activities they need to get through the day, such as grocery shopping, cooking, bathing, getting dressed, driving, finances and more. However, when they can control even a few things and accomplish tasks on their own, they’ll feel more independent and have higher self-esteem.
A senior care assistant is one of the most important factors in an elderly person being able to age in their own home despite significant physical limitations. Occupational therapy can compliment that level of care and help the seniors gain strength, skill and confidence to do things on their own and with assistance.
Even though they face the physical and mental challenges of growing old, seniors that have a team of occupational therapists, family caregivers, senior care aides, friends and more will enjoy a better quality of life and more health and wellness for many years to come.
Source:
https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients/Caregivers/adults.aspx
https://www.livestrong.com/article/332691-ot-exercises-for-seniors/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME ELDER CARE IN NEW EAST SIDE, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.