If your elderly loved one is frustrated that they can no longer do some of the simple tasks they once did, it may be time to check out occupational therapy. There are many conditions that seniors may develop that prevent them from doing basic self-care tasks. While they still need an elderly care provider to give them in-home care, an occupational therapist can work with seniors to live more self-sufficiently.
Seniors Struggle With Daily Tasks
It can be difficult for family caregivers to identify precisely when their aging relative needs occupational therapy. A good guideline is for family caregivers to observe whether their elderly loved one struggles with their physical conditions enough that it limits how well they can take care of themselves in their own home. If this is so, they can benefit from occupational therapy. These specialists use exercise, education, rehabilitation techniques, and adaptive tools to help aging adults approach basic tasks in a new way. Along with elderly care providers, physical therapists, and doctors, plus the support of friends and family, occupational therapy can really make a change in an elderly person’s life.
Learning New Ways
It’s no surprise that many seniors struggle with self-care tasks that include bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and hygiene. An occupational therapist works with them to adapt each task to their current abilities. For example, if an elderly adult has severe arthritis in their hands, they may struggle to grasp items with one hand or lift something from the ground. The occupational therapist can show them how to use alternative methods to accomplish that, such as using two hands or a grabbing stick. Rather than feel frustrated at what they cannot do, seniors feel empowered to celebrate what they can do.
Modifying the Environment
When they lose much of their mobility, many elderly adults struggle because their environment at home no longer fits their needs and ability. Occupational therapists can create a list of home modifications that family caregivers and elderly care providers can implement. Some of the most common home modifications include grab bars in the shower and by the toilet, lever faucets, and specialized drawer and cupboard pulls. It’s amazing how much an elderly person can do for themselves when their home is modified to their abilities.
Assistive Devices
Occupational therapists will also introduce the elderly adult to assistive devices designed to make daily tasks easier. Things like dressing sticks, long-handled reachers, writing aids, large button phones, stair-climbing canes, and bottle openers are just a few examples of the assistive devices on the market designed to help people accomplish daily tasks.
Occupational therapists are not meant to replace elderly care providers or family caregivers. Of course, seniors will still need their elderly care providers throughout the day as it isn’t safe or healthy for them to be alone. However, if an occupational therapist can show them how to accomplish some common daily tasks, they can enjoy some small victories by doing things on their own. Seniors will certainly feel more confident and experience a higher self-esteem after time with an occupational therapist.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Dale City CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
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