The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. has deemed April Occupational Therapy Month. These 30 days are a great time to learn about what OT is and how it affects seniors.
What is occupational therapy?
AOTA noted that this important profession involves helping people of all ages do what they want to do. This can mean helping young kids who have physical or mental disabilities in school, or assisting people who have had injuries or surgery to get back to their previous activities. Some occupational therapists work at hospitals or clinics, and others have their own practices or make home visits. These professionals evaluate a client’s needs and wants and then provide personalized programs and activities that help to achieve those goals.
How do occupational therapists help seniors?
The elderly can benefit from seeing an occupational therapist if they want to improve or maintain their independence. Seniors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease or chronic illnesses like arthritis can seek the assistance of an OT to work toward specific goals. Maybe an arthritic person wants to try exercising in a pool to ease his or her pain and work out. An occupational therapist can offer ideas on how to become more physically active while being mindful of aching joints. Seniors with dementia may benefit from working with an OT on mental activities to stimulate cognitive functioning and retain memories. The therapist will assess the senior’s memory loss and then assist in tasks geared towards these goals. Occupational therapists do not focus on what seniors cannot do. Instead, the healthcare practitioners learn what their clients can do and then work to expand the person’s abilities.
Getting involved with an occupational therapist
If your older loved one could benefit from gaining more independence, consider talking to him or her about seeing an occupational therapist. Some memory care or assisted living communities even offer in-house OTs who can provide weekly care. Talk to the senior residence to see about scheduling an appointment for the senior with an OT. Those who are already enrolled in therapy can take advantage of the official OT month of April as a time to say thank you. Here are a few nice ways to show gratitude to an occupational therapist who has helped your older loved one:
- Write a card, note or letter. Make sure to mention who the patient is and how the OT has improved his or her life.
- Send a small gift, like some flowers or sweet treats, that let the therapist know his or her hard work is much appreciated.
- Show your thanks by providing the OT with a review. For a private practitioner, look to Google+ reviews or Yelp as an online outlet. Or, contact the therapist directly and ask if you can provide a testimonial. For OTs who work at assisted living facilities, you can contact the person’s supervisor to share your sincerest thanks and let them know the therapist is doing an incredible job.
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CHC