April is Occupational Therapy Month. For more than 100 years, occupational therapy has been the only profession that helps people across all ages do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities. Occupational therapy practitioners help their patients promote health and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness or disability.

Common occupational therapy interventions include helping people recovering from injury to regain skills and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include:

• an individualized evaluation, during which the patient/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals; and
• customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities to reach their goals and an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan.

Therapy for seniors

Occupational therapy can be beneficial to seniors in many ways, including aging issues. Therapists can help address several areas including wellness, safety, dementia, mobility and chronic condition management. Older adults who wish to remain independent can benefit greatly from occupational therapy for several areas of their life. For example, therapy practitioners can assist older people with preventing falls by evaluating the person and their environment to determine problem areas in the person’s physical capabilities and/or surroundings. They can also help seniors by teaching them to use assistive devices or technology that can facilitate their ability to provide self-care. This can help them maintain their independence.

Occupational therapists who work in short-term skilled nursing facilities are focused on their patients reaching overall well-being and increased participation in life. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, therapy interventions for older adults may include functional mobility training, preparing the patient and their family for discharge and reintegration into their home environment or assessing a patient’s current activities for modifications that will allow them to participate in normal activities or hobbies.

No matter their healthcare setting, occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective that puts the focus on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person. The person is an integral part of the therapy team. It is an evidence-based practice deeply rooted in science. Ultimately, occupational therapists help people work within their capabilities to live their lives to the fullest.

Join The Compliance Store this month in expressing deep appreciation for all occupational therapists and the important work they do. Happy Occupational Therapy Month!