Occupational therapy (OT) is designed to help people live more independently by improving their ability to perform everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal grooming and hygiene. OT can also include work-related tasks. When OT is indicated for a patient, that patient is fully assessed and a personalized plan developed for them. The ultimate goal of OT is to give the patient the tools to successfully complete a range of meaningful life activities, thereby significantly improving their quality of life.
The following are some strategies we use here at Heathwood Assisted Living to develop and implement successful
occupational therapy programs for our residents.
Individual Needs Assessment
The first step of any OT program is assessing the patient to determine what their individual needs are. The occupational therapist will work directly with the patient, seeing what tasks they need to work on and evaluating their current strengths and weaknesses.
Adaptive Equipment and Technology
Once the occupational therapist understands where the patient is starting from and where they need to go, they’ll look for tools and assistive devices that compensate for the patient’s physical limitations. These tools can include bathroom grab bars, reachers for picking up items, utensil holders for eating, and aids for dressing. These items can not only make life easier for the patient but also can help with self-esteem issues.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Strategies
In addition to assisting with physical needs, OT can involve finding and implementing memory and cognitive training methods to help improve cognitive function. These can include memory games, problem-solving exercises, and anything else that stimulates the brain and targets cognitive skills. Not only will the patient gain daily living skills, but regularly exercising their brain can also help to delay the onset of cognitive decline.
Fall Prevention and Safety Techniques
Another job of the OT professional is to identify and deal with any safety hazards in the patient’s living environment. This can include removing loose rugs, adding extra lighting, and rearranging furniture so there’s less chance of a fall or other accident.
Mobility and Transfer Training
The OT professional will help the patient develop and carry out an exercise program that’s designed to increase mobility and range of motion. Techniques for walking, sitting, and standing can be changed to reduce strain and prevent injury, and assistive devices such as bed rails and transfer poles can help the patient stay securely in bed or transfer to a wheelchair on their own. There are also exercises to specifically enhance fine motor skills.
Personal Care Techniques
Many patients want to be able to take care of everyday tasks like dressing, showering, brushing teeth, and personal hygiene themselves as much as possible. The OT professional will fully assess the patient to see if changes in routine or assistive devices can be beneficial to their overall quality of life. Then, the therapist will work with the patient to build these skills and achieve as much independence as possible.
The Benefits of OT
OT can help the patient in several ways, including the following:
- Improve their ability to complete daily tasks at home, at work, and in social situations
- Develop alternative methods to complete daily tasks
- Help the patient better adapt to a changing lifestyle and needs level
- Maintain and even increase independence in some cases
- Help the patient become healthier and give them tools to better manage their overall health
Simply put, OT is meant to help patients perform tasks they already do every day even better! It can reduce the need for assisted living or allow patients to live more independently within an assisted living setting, and it helps to foster a sense of self-confidence.
Providing On-Site Occupational Therapy
Heathwood Assisted Living’s on-site occupational therapy helps improve residents' ability to complete
activities of daily living. Our services are tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Maintaining independence for as long as possible is important to our patients. Not only are the OT professionals here focused on minimizing physical limitations and developing self-esteem, but the entire staff is committed to our residents, helping them feel at home and live their best lives.
For more information about Heathwood’s OT benefits, please contact our
Penfield or
Williamsville location. We look forward to showing you how our OT programs improve our residents’ lives.
