While there is no magic wand to slow the hands of time, many seniors feel as though they’ve met their fairy godmother when an occupational therapist helps them boost their self-sufficiency and quality of life.
Living independently is a goal for many older adults, and occupational therapy can be an incredibly effective way to help a senior achieve more of the autonomy they crave. April is Occupational Therapy Month, which means there’s no better time to explore the benefits of occupational therapy for seniors, including what exactly this kind of therapy is and how it can help.
What is occupational therapy?
Different types of therapy help people overcome challenges at all stages of life and for many different reasons. Occupational therapy is a form of therapy that helps people manage everyday tasks more safely, effectively and efficiently.
The tasks, or “occupations,” you learn to navigate through occupational therapy can be just about anything — from getting ready in the morning to pursuing your hobbies and interests.
Put simply, occupational therapy empowers you to do the things you want and need to do to live a rewarding lifestyle as independently as possible. That might mean practicing new movements or learning different ways to do things, or it could mean introducing tools to help you get a job done.
How is occupational therapy different from physical therapy?
Most people are at least somewhat familiar with physical therapy. You might think of it as something you do after an injury or extended hospital stay to get back on your feet, and that’s exactly right. Physical therapy is focused on your muscles, movement and building strength. Its purpose is to improve your body’s physical functions, and physical therapy is typically heavily focused on exercises and movement.
Occupational therapy, while related, has a different purpose. Occupational therapy blends education, exercise and interventions to help you overcome a wide range of obstacles, with a focus on allowing you to fully participate in your daily activities. Occupational therapy may involve addressing physical, behavioral, cognitive or sensory challenges, among others.
Who can benefit from occupational therapy?
You may be surprised to learn that nearly all seniors can benefit from some level of occupational therapy. Even if you’re able to do most things independently, you might have conditions like arthritis or chronic pain that limit your ability to do certain activities safely and effectively.
Put more simply, anyone—at any age—who has trouble doing the things they want and need to do as part of their daily life can benefit from occupational therapy. Age-related changes, injuries and illness are some of the most common reasons people seek out occupational therapy.
More specifically, many experts recommend occupational therapy for seniors who:
- Have arthritis or other forms of chronic pain
- Recently received a medical diagnosis such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis
- Are recovering from an injury or illness, including a stroke or heart attack
- Experience memory loss that affects their daily routine
- Need help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and eating
- May be at elevated risk for a fall
- Could benefit from learning new ways to protect their safety and independence
What does an occupational therapist do?
When you meet with an occupational therapist, you can expect a detailed evaluation so they can learn more about your lifestyle and daily habits, including any areas where you might benefit from a helping hand.
You’ll have the chance to talk about anything that you know needs attention, but you can also expect your therapist to ask you questions about your everyday life and even demonstrate some of your common tasks. Ultimately, the therapist is trying to build a deep understanding of which kinds of occupational therapy for seniors can improve your ability to go about your daily business in a successful and fulfilling way.
The therapist will explore how easily you move within your living space, but the assessment will also take into account smaller, everyday details. For example, does your vision allow you to see the buttons on your TV remote clearly, or would you benefit from a remote with bigger buttons?
Another important aspect of an occupational therapist’s evaluation is your living environment. They will ask how you move about your home and whether there are any areas of the home where you feel unsafe or unsteady. Often, simple modifications, such as a grab bar near the toilet, can make your living space easier to manage on your own.
Occupational therapists also have access to a virtually endless array of tools—called adaptive equipment—that can simplify tasks big and small. Adaptive equipment can be as simple as a shoehorn and as sophisticated as an electric wheelchair. Therapists can recommend and help you secure these items when they identify the need, and then help you learn to use them effectively in your home.
What are some benefits of occupational therapy for seniors?
You may be surprised to learn there are many examples of how occupational therapy helps seniors stay independent. In fact, you may not even realize there are easier ways to do everyday things that you’ve naturally adapted over time.
One great example is standing from a sitting position. It’s such a common challenge that many older adults don’t even think about it; they just notice that over time, getting up isn’t as easy as it used to be.
An occupational therapist goes beyond helping build your strength and range of movement to teach you techniques to position your body and shift your weight differently so you can stand with less strain. Strength building and balance exercises may be part of the solution, but your therapist might also suggest adaptive equipment, such as a grab bar or a different type of chair or cushion to help you stand safely.
If there are other aspects of daily living that give you trouble, your occupational therapist can teach you new ways to do familiar tasks. For example, many seniors have trouble reaching to put on their socks without getting winded. Rolling your socks before you slide them over your foot can make the job easier.
Occupational therapy isn’t just limited to physical abilities and safety. If you’re in the early stages of memory loss, your therapist can recommend stimulating activities and systems that remind you about important tasks such as taking your medicine.
For seniors who don’t see clearly, color coding commonly used household features like light switches can be useful. Occupational therapy can also help you overcome manual dexterity problems by teaching new skills or introducing voice-activated technology. Some seniors find it difficult to maintain a nutritious diet, so an occupational therapist can offer tips for meal prep that reduces the workload and healthy snack ideas between meals.
Where can you get occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists work in a wide variety of settings. They might come to your home, or you may visit them in a health care setting, such as a clinic or hospital.
In addition, many senior living communities provide therapeutic services, including occupational therapy, for their residents. At Canterbury Court, occupational therapy is one of many services that help ensure residents’ well-being and allow them to maximize their independence. Learn more about the many ways Canterbury Court supports residents with wellness programs that nurture the body, mind and spirit. Reach out to schedule a visit or talk with one of our team members.