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There are many benefits of occupational therapy for adults.
Despite this, most are still not familiar with what an occupational therapist does to help seniors continue aging in place.
So I sat down with Kelsey Mason, a good friend, and occupational therapist to learn more about occupational therapy for adults and how it can keep our aging parents living safely and independently.
Kelsey: My day usually begins with fixing my schedule.
I do my rounds checking on patients’ homes as a home health care provider. I usually have six to eight patients in every round. And the first thing I do daily is to confirm appointment schedules.
Some patients can get overwhelmed with the healthcare providers they work with. So I check and see if they are good with the visit, or if they need to move it to another day.
Routine visits usually last about 30 minutes per client. But the time spent can also depend on certain challenges in the home.
Some patients have kids, pets, or activities that may disrupt the routines so they can last longer.
I’m a supervising therapist, so I do more OASIS documentation level visits, research, evaluations, and discharges. So it usually takes more time and paperwork.
Once I’m done with my rounds, I go back home and finish the documentation. The documents are then submitted by 10 AM the next day.
Kelsey: Usually the question is what is occupational therapy and if it’s something people can do by themselves.
Truth is, occupational therapists have a range of things they can do. It could be more ortho-based, ADL, or IADL-based activities.
We can help patients who have arthritis and chronic pain, stroke patients, or those who suffered brain injuries.
We can also help those who had spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other orthopedic-related cases.
Occupational therapists also help seniors or patients with cognitive decline deal with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
What’s the difference between the two?
ADLs are the basic self-care tasks that we learn as children. These include dressing and grooming, bathing, toileting, and feeding.
Most might think these are super simple tasks. But for seniors or patients dealing with recent trauma, it can be far from easy.
Especially if the patients are suffering from movement challenges or cognitive decline.
On the other hand, IADLs are a bit more complex. These are tasks that older adults need to live independently without any assistance.
These are higher-level tasks that adults need to do to function normally. Tasks like cooking, cleaning, driving, organizing schedules and bills, even doctor’s appointments.
Kelsey: The biggest benefit of occupational therapy for adults is to help them stay at home safely.
The goal is for seniors to do their ADLs and IADLs without any problems. This way we can avoid any further medical complications that can worsen their conditions.
We might think it’s simple for us. But for older adults, living alone can be dangerous.
Ideally, seniors would have at least a caregiver or someone from the family to check on them.
Some have caregivers who help them do the basic things like helping them bathe or prepare their meals.
Others also have medical insurance that gives them access to caregivers at a certain period of time.
Occupational therapists can help educate and train caregivers at home with certain techniques. Or show them what ideal independence for adults should look like.
Without the proper assistance, older adults may be prone to higher risk factors like accidents.
Seniors without proper hygiene practices can lead to other medical complications. This can translate to wounds, falls, more doctor visits, or hospitalizations.
I also get asked how family members can get recommendations for occupational therapists services for their loved ones.
The quick answer is to ask your medical practitioner about it. Once therapy is prescribed by the doctor, the order is sent to a local provider.
Once you have that, an evaluation will be scheduled from an occupational therapist or an agency.
There are agencies available that are rated by stars, and you can pick whichever agency you want to help you get started.
Hospitals and social workers can also help you with choosing. But everything starts as soon as we get a recommendation from your doctor.
Kelsey: The bathroom ranks the highest as the most accident-prone area in the house.
Thick rugs, dark spaces, tile floors, and residual moisture can spell disaster, especially for those aging in place.
So caregivers and family members also need to make sure these areas are well-kept to avoid any accidents.
As for seniors with cognitive decline, there’s really no easy way of handling them.
The easiest way to do it is to implement safety immediately.
Make sure all things that pose as a hazard are taken away from them. Remove car keys, unplug ovens or anything sharp that can cause accidents.
It would be best to install ring cameras, chimes, or anything that can let them know the comings and goings of people in their homes and rooms.
For families and caregivers, start conversations early on. These conversations are usually difficult because not every parent admits the need for help.
It can also cause friction and misunderstandings, but as long as you learn to communicate well, things will work out in time.
If you’re a caregiver or a family member who takes care of seniors, take time off for yourself.
It’s OK to use services like adult daycares so you could take a break from all the stress.
And it’s perfectly fine to ask for help.
Read more about self-care and get ideas on gratitude journal prompts here.
Occupational therapy for adults is a necessary part of living independently for seniors.
A huge part of their role is to make sure that seniors get to live their lives freely and safely.
It might sound simple to us. But for people who suffer from physical or cognitive issues, tasks like grooming or feeding can be so difficult.
That’s why occupational therapists are necessary for seniors to keep their autonomy.
If you have any questions about occupational therapy services, feel free to contact Kelsey here.
That's all for today.
Take care, keep mom safe and have a great day!
Winn
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have been working with the 70+ age group for over a decade. I will share my knowledge and experience to give you ideas to care for your aging parents. Read more >>