For some seniors, completing daily activities can start to become more complex. Seniors can become frustrated and even neglect their day-to-day responsibilities. Short-term rehabilitation therapy can help seniors learn new ways of moving and completing tasks to maintain independence. Occupational therapy is one type of rehabilitation therapy that can help seniors relearn activities of daily living.
Some research suggests that occupational therapy can benefit seniors, particularly those with dementia. In one study, occupational therapy was found to help improve seniors’ abilities to perform activities of daily living and reduce the number of falls they experienced. Buckner Retirement Services is always available to answer questions about our services and our facilitation of treatments like occupational therapy. To learn more, call us at 214.227.7182.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
You may ask, what is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy is a form of training that teaches seniors how to adapt to their current mobility. It can help seniors with any sort of task and often incorporates the use of tools or devices. An occupational therapist works with seniors over time and may adjust therapy routines. Occupational therapy for seniors can help with tasks like the following:
- Eating
- Doing office work
- Bathing
- Getting dressed
- Carrying out housekeeping tasks
- Getting around
Some seniors receive therapy for just one or two tasks, while others complete a more comprehensive program. Even short-term occupational therapy for seniors can have long-lasting effects and improve their quality of life.
How Occupational Therapy Works
Senior adults need to understand how occupational therapy works before starting a program. The first step is a thorough assessment that may include interviews and observations in different settings. An occupational therapist will work with the senior to determine the exact tasks and behaviors they need help with. The assessment is used to develop a treatment plan tailored to the senior’s current abilities, habits, environment, and lifestyle.
Seniors can work with their therapist to set goals and achieve their desired level of mobility. After a plan is in place, the next step is the intervention process. Intervention programs work with the seniors to facilitate the completion of everyday tasks and adapt to their abilities and environment. It may take weeks or months and even include long-term check-ins with a therapist to ensure the new skills learned in occupational therapy for seniors are on track.
Occupational Therapy for Seniors
Occupational therapy is often utilized by people with disabilities and those recovering from injuries, and it can also be highly beneficial for seniors. As seniors age, they may experience a change in mobility and have more difficulty completing everyday tasks. When seniors experience difficulty with things they used to be able to do easily, it can cause frustration, stress, and anxiety. Some seniors are not likely to ask for help, leading them to improvise in an unsafe way or push through the pain to carry on with their daily lives.
Seniors can also suffer from conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis, making engaging in everyday activities difficult, painful, or even dangerous. Occupational therapy can help seniors learn how to use new tools to complete daily tasks in a way that is efficient, comfortable, and safe. It can be beneficial to both seniors and their families. Seniors will build confidence that they can complete all the tasks they used to. Families will have peace of mind that their senior loved one is safe and can maintain their independent lifestyle in comfort. Even minor improvements in everyday tasks can make a big difference in a senior’s daily life.
Discover Short-Term Occupational Therapy for Seniors at Buckner Retirement Services
At Buckner Retirement Services, we understand the importance of long-term and short-term occupational therapy for seniors. Senior residents can receive occupational therapy on-site or arrange transportation to another location. Buckner Retirement Services provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and memory care services.
We offer services to our residents, like occupational therapy, to help them maintain their quality of life and improve their overall health and well-being. We are proud to be able to offer these services and many more to our residents. To learn more about how we can help you or your loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Buckner Retirement Services. Call us today at 214.227.7182.