Occupational Therapy for Elderly at Home:- Benefits

One of the more challenging aspects of growing older is losing the ability to complete tasks that were once effortless, leading to confusion, anger, and shame for individuals who can no longer carry out daily duties.

Your parent does not need to feel powerless over their lives. There are numerous strategies available to assist them in taking more control.

What we mean by occupational therapy for elderly is autonomy restoration. By enrolling your parent in such a program with a nursing course from licensed practical nursing schools, they’ll have an opportunity to regain some independence in the nursing profession.

Discover More of the Top 5 Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Elderly, Offered to Older Parents

Initially, this may mean asking: “What exactly is Occupational Therapy?” and then understanding the advantages of each in long-term care facilities.

Many are familiar with physical therapy but still need to grasp what occupational therapy entails fully.

Occupational therapy (OT) is a method that assists people of all ages (from toddlers to older adults) in building, maintaining, or acquiring the clinical & cognitive skills required for daily activities that are valuable and essential.

Individuals receiving occupational therapy will experience different treatments based on their particular needs; an older adult who has Parkinson’s will get the same therapy treatment as a child diagnosed with Scoliosis.

Occupational therapists teach and work closely with all members of a patient’s support team (parents, caregivers, teachers, etc) to ensure all parties involved with their program of care understand their roles within it.

What Can an Occupational Therapist Offer an Elderly Patient? Let’s Have a Look

1. Assist With Overcoming the Challenges of Daily Life

The primary job of occupational therapists is to help clients overcome the daily struggles that present themselves to them. Participating in their daily tasks (such as eating and walking) can be tiresome and cumbersome for older people, often becoming so bothersome they abandon it altogether.

Without being able to complete their daily chores and tasks, individuals become less likely to participate in other aspects of life, such as celebrations with friends, family trips, and hobbies – resulting in depression or feelings of loneliness.

Occupation therapy plays an essential role; occupational therapists work directly with elderly patients to teach exercises and techniques designed to make everyday tasks such as eating, dressing, and bathing easier for them.

2. Avoiding Falls

Did you know that one out of every four Americans over 65 experience falls each year, with one senior adult taken to an emergency room after falling every 11 seconds – with 19 people dying as a result of accidents each hour?

While falling may seem like a minor risk, statistics reveal the hazards that older adults are at when it comes to falling and injuring themselves. It can be frightening thinking of your parent being injured without anyone there to assist them and provide direct patient care at nursing homes.

In healthcare facility, parents looking for relief should enroll their older patients in occupational therapy sessions; occupational therapists understand the high incidence of falls among elderly patients and can provide invaluable insight.

Therapists also teach clients techniques to prevent falls, balance, and strengthening exercises that will keep their bodies strong for years.

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3. Memory Rehabilitation

Most people associate occupational therapy with its physical benefits; however, it also provides numerous psychological advantages in a wide range of health care settings. When occupational therapists first meet clients, they assess cognitive and physical capabilities.

If your parent has dementia, their occupational therapist will assess areas where they excel and their weaknesses. After this evaluation, they’ll develop a care plan to build on strengths while supporting weaker areas.

Every senior suffers from memory loss. Here are just a few ways occupational therapists assist older patients in enhancing their memory: Engaging in memory-enhancing activities like crossword puzzles, puzzles, challenges, or matching games in a variety of settings.

Stop signs should be placed at gates or front doors for elderly patients who become easily lost and wander off, helping caregivers learn non-defensive strategies to handle abrupt personality changes in patients.

Caregivers should use techniques that will clarify their patients’ memory by offering only a limited selection of clothing to assist in case the individual forgets which season it is.

4. Improved Perspective

Aside from memory enhancement, occupational therapy for the elderly offers another important psychological benefit for senior adults: providing them with a greater perspective and quality of life.

When older parents gradually lose their ability to perform everyday activities, they often ask themselves: “How am I going to manage living this way for the rest of my life?”

5. Modifications to Home

Many elderly residents live in homes that no longer meet their needs as they age. Slippery floors, showers, and bathtubs pose potential dangers to seniors.

An occupational therapist will analyze the design of your parents’ home and suggest ways of altering it for safe living conditions and independent living. Modifications include tubs or walk-in showers that allow your loved ones more independence, bathtubs that make bathing easier, or walk-in showers that provide easier access are possible examples in clinical settings.

Grab bars and handrails can be found throughout the house, such as in the shower and bathroom, wheelchair ramps, power lift recliners, and slip-resistant floors.

Medical Alert and home monitoring systems offer valuable assistance when a medical emergency or home monitoring systems become necessary.

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At Last

Occupational therapy helps elderly individuals recover independence, prevent falls, and enhance living conditions. Enrolling your parent in such a program will help them perform everyday tasks more safely, while licensed practical nurse programs offer nurses or healthcare teams essential skills that help provide comprehensive elderly care services provided by the health care team.

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