5 Ways Seniors Can Benefit from Receiving Occupational Therapy

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How Occupational Therapy Can Benefit the Elderly in Victoria, BC, Canada

Occupational therapy helps increase a senior’s independence using therapeutic activities based on everyday life. If your elderly loved one has experienced a stroke or other event that interferes with his or her normal functioning, occupational therapy can provide the following benefits. 

1. Helps Manage Daily Challenges

When a senior has reduced cognitive or physical functioning, tasks that once seemed simple can become frustrating. For example, buttoning up a shirt or pulling on a pair of pants can be challenging for those with arthritis or weakness in their hands. In occupational therapy, a variety of techniques may be used to help your loved one manage daily challenges such as strengthening exercises or learning to use mobility aids.

2. Reduces Fall Risks

For seniors, a fall can be catastrophic. However, learning how to manage life’s challenges also helps them increase their balance and identify safer ways to complete their daily routines. By reducing the risk of falls, your loved one can continue to age in place safely.

3. Promotes Active Participation

Seniors sometimes need encouragement to strive for independence, which is why occupational therapists are trained to assess a senior’s home and suggest modifications that can help each individual participate more actively in his or her home care in Victoria, BC. Whether this involves installing grab bars in the bathroom or removing dangerous rugs, seniors can feel more comfortable trying to do more things themselves.

4. Encourages Cooperation with Other Caregivers

Being a family caregiver is a learning experience, and it helps to have resources available that detail the best ways to encourage better health for seniors. Occupational therapists can also meet with other respite or live-in caregivers in Victoria and provide insight into ways to promote independence and longevity for the seniors in their care.

5. Enhances Emotional Health

Difficulty accomplishing everyday tasks can lead to feelings of hopelessness for many seniors, especially if a recent health crisis has reduced some of their abilities. By working with an occupational therapist, your loved one can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes with overcoming challenges. Over time, the increased independence your loved one achieves contributes to a more positive attitude overall.

The professional caregivers at Home Care Assistance provide many of the same services as occupational therapists. In addition to respite and 24-hour care, we also offer specialized Parkinson’s, stroke, and Alzheimer’s care Victoria seniors and their families can rely on. For more information and to schedule a no-obligation consultation, call (250) 592-4881 today.

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