How Can An Occupational Therapist Help The Elderly?
Occupational therapy is an area dedicated to helping individuals lead productive and independent lives by allowing them to develop or recover skills needed to navigate daily tasks. While occupational therapy can benefit patients of all ages, it is quite helpful for seniors who feel unable to manage their day-to-day challenges both mentally and physically. At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team is here to help patients improve vital life functions and enhance their quality of life. Continue reading to discover how an occupational therapist can help senior patients!
How Can An Occupational Therapist Help The Elderly?
Many elderly patients can receive occupational therapy as a way to help them perform the activities of daily living, which can include everything from getting dressed in the morning to bathing. The type of occupational therapy a patient receives will depend largely on their needs. An occupational therapist will collaborate with their patients and their support teams to ensure a comprehensive care program. Here are some of the ways an occupational therapist can help elderly patients:
- Overcoming daily challenges – A large part of an occupational therapist’s role is to help their patients overcome the challenges of everyday life. For many elderly patients, routine daily activities like eating or walking can be an exhausting and frustrating task. Occupational therapists work with patients and teach them techniques that make completing tasks like eating, bathing, and dressing much more manageable. Our therapists also help patients improve their strength, basic motor skills, range of motion, and dexterity.
- Promoting independence – An occupational therapist’s primary goal is to help patients regain the skills needed throughout everyday life to achieve independence. Our occupational therapists will carefully evaluate a patient’s health and need to develop a care plan to help patients achieve and maintain their goals.
- Preventing falls – Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among elderly patients. Our occupational therapists can identify any potential hazards and employ preventative steps to help elderly patients avoid falls while remaining active.
Contact Us
At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our occupational therapists strive to promote independence and improve our patient’s quality of life. Our therapists provide direct communication and can reinforce techniques and strategies designed to help our senior patients meet their goals and maintain their independence. Contact us today to discover more about our occupational therapy services!