What is Occupational therapy for seniors?
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation in daily living. Treatment plans aim to improve strength and mobility as well as help residents utilize adaptive equipment and techniques. Occupational therapy helps our residents to participate in life’s various activities including:
- Personal care including bathing, dressing, or eating
- Plan & follow through with daily routines
- Leisure activities
- Improve memory and/or concentration
Our occupational therapists use various techniques and equipment so that each resident can return to and/or maintain their functional independence to perform activities.
Occupational Therapists for Seniors
At our Los Angeles rehabilitation center, our team of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with each patient and their physicians to formulate a plan which focuses on things a patient both wants and needs to do in their daily life. This can include meaningful activities, accomplishments, care tasks for themselves or other family members, career or volunteer work, and more.
Individualized Occupational Therapy Treatment Plans
Our Occupational Therapists assess each resident and ask questions relating to:
- Medical history
- Life Experiences
- Interests
These questions help them to understand values and activities so that they may integrate personal goals into a treatment plan. This is considered a resident’s occupational profile.
Later, they may reference this initial assessment to ensure that a patient is on track and if not, if any adjustments need to be made in their best interest.
Individualized plans often include recommendations for family or caregivers to follow. Additionally, adaptive equipment and compensatory techniques are often necessary. This can include equipment or techniques which may aid in bathing, picking up objects, walking, or aiding memory.
In-House Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation
While occupational therapy methods are meant to be practiced outside of sessions, the treatment plans formulated by our occupational therapists are specialized and include guidance and additional technology and equipment which can be unaffordable, difficult to learn, or may not be available in another setting.
Having an in-house rehabilitation center eases the burden of traveling after an injury, surgery or other illness. Recovery can be incredibly difficult, but our rehabilitation team is ready to be there every step of the way.