What is Occupational therapy for Seniors?
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation in daily living. Treatment plans are formulated to improve participation in various daily activities and can include:
- Implementing a Daily routine
- -Planning a routine
- -Following through
- Enjoying Leisure Activities through
- – Easing Pain
- -Improving mobility
- Improving Cognitive functions like
- -Memory/Recall ability
- -Concentration
- Basic Personal care tasks such as
- -Bathing
- -Eating
- -Dressing
The goal of occupational therapy treatment plans is to aid patients in using not only adaptive equipment and/or technology, but techniques as well, so that a senior can return to their highest level of functional independence.
What Does an Occupational Therapist for Seniors Do?
At our Long Beach rehabilitation center, our team of licensed OT’s and their assistants work with each patient and their doctor(s) to create an individualized treatment plan. Medical concerns are important, but also the goals of each patient are as well. The plan we help to develop is patient-informed so that seniors can return to the activities which have meaning to them, such as care tasks, career, volunteer work, family care, accomplishments and more.
Individualized Occupational Therapy Treatment Plans
At the initial meeting, an Occupational Therapist will create an occupational profile. To do this, they assess each resident and ask questions relating to:
- Life Experiences
- Medical history
- Interests or hobbies
- Patient goals
The questions they ask are important to informing the Occupational therapist of personal values and goals a patient may have, so that they can implement them into their overall treatment plan for an increased recovery outcome.
An occupational profile is important so that a therapist can refer back to an initial assessment to ensure that a patient is on track or if any additional adjustments may be needed.
Occupational Therapists may also aid seniors in using adaptive equipment, or educating them on compensatory strategies they may need to learn in order to have more functional independence. These strategies and equipments can help a resident in various activities such as:
- Walking
- Picking up Objects
- Memory
- Bathing
- General Personal care
Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Center in Long Beach
Depending on physician guidance, some of the techniques are meant to be used outside of OT sessions. However, at Colonial Care, treatment plans are individualized and created by licensed occupational therapy specialists. It is always best to have the guidance of a physician while in recovery. Specialized equipment and technologies are often unavailable outside of rehabilitation centers for this very reason.
At Colonial Care, it’s like having a rehabilitation center in your home. We know that recovery or regaining strength can be a difficult process. You’ll never be alone at our Long Beach Senior Rehab home. Our team of caring professionals helps each and every individual every step of the way.