April is National Occupational Therapy Month which makes it the perfect time to learn more about the role of occupational therapists. It’s also a chance to celebrate occupational therapists and thank them for their hard work and dedication.
What is occupational therapy?
By definition, occupational therapy “enables people of all ages to participate in daily living.” Think about all of the tasks you do from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep. An occupational therapist can help with almost all of them. Everything from preparing meals, eating, personal hygiene and getting dressed, to maneuvering the physical spaces around you. Occupational therapy can help with it all.
Occupational therapists frequently work alongside other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists and doctors. While a physical therapist helps primarily with you physical functioning, such as walking, balance, flexibility, and strength, an occupational therapist helps you find ways to perform your daily activities more efficiently and safely. They may show you new ways to do things or even help you with assistive devices that make life better.
For example, after breaking your leg a physical therapist can help you regain your strength and flexibility by focusing on things like stretching and walking. At the same time, an occupational therapist can work with you to find ways to navigate your home while your leg is broken, make sure you have tools that will make it easier to care for yourself, and can even help make sure your home is set up in a way that will help you recover.
Where do occupational therapists work?
Where occupational therapists work can be as varied as the things they can help with. The setting they work in can often be dictated by the specific population they choose to work with. For example, occupational therapists who want to specialize in working with children may work in a school.
Hospitals are a frequent place that many people start working with an occupational therapist. However, home is one of the most common places for an occupational therapist to work. Home-based occupational therapy gives them a chance to see you in your home environment, observe how you are able to perform some of your daily activities, and make suggestions for improvements.
Occupational therapists typically work with older adults in hospitals, short-term rehabilitation centers, long-term skilled nursing facilities, or in their homes. Within each of these settings, an occupational therapist is able to help make it easier and safer to maintain independence for as long as possible.
Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Older Adults
Occupational therapy goes further than maintaining independence for older adults. There are countless ways that occupational therapists can provide support, assistance, and guidance for older adults to live more engaged, happier, and safer lives.
Improving Independence
When it comes to independence for older adults, daily activities are typically divided into two groups: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). ADLs typically involve things like getting dressed, using the bathroom, and eating. IADLs typically involve things such as cooking, cleaning, taking medication, and paying bills.
Occupational therapists provide support for both ADLs and IADLs. By offering new techniques, providing tips and tricks, and offering assistive technologies, occupational therapists can empower older adults to not only maintain their independence, but even improve it.
Supporting Memory and Cognitive Health
Cognitive and memory changes are some of the biggest concerns for older adults. Just like an occupational therapist can help with ADLs and IADLs, they can also assist with cognitive changes. Many times, especially when cognitive changes are first beginning to occur, an occupational therapist can provide interventions that will help promote independence.
When memory changes begin to occur, one of the first thing many people begin to notice is forgetting simple things like where they put the keys or to pay a bill on time. These are things that an occupational therapist can help with. With their tools of the trade, they can help create a system of tools and visual cues that can act as reminders.
Improving Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Independence and autonomy are huge parts of our overall mental and emotional wellbeing. A big aspect of occupational therapy for older adults is fall prevention. Falls are a significant concern for many older adults. Fear of falling can cause older adults to withdraw, stop engaging in their regular activities, and decrease their socialization. Working with an occupational therapist, older adults can reduce their fall risk while also reducing their fear of falling. With less fear of falling, older adults can be more likely to stay engaged and social. This can have a huge impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.
Support for Caregivers
Occupational therapists are a great support resource for caregivers. Especially for those new to caregiving or when the caregiving needs change. An occupational therapist can help a caregiver find the best ways to care for their loved one. But, they can also help their patient and their caregiver work together and find ways to maximize autonomy and independence.
Maintain Independence as an Older Adult with Occupational Therapy
Do you want to learn more about how occupational therapy can help older adults maintain their independence? Listen to this episode of Senior Living Today, a podcast produced by The Ohio Masonic Communities.
We’re grateful to have occupational therapists supporting our residents at The Ohio Masonic Communities. If you want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio.