Many seniors, due to old age, find it difficult to complete their daily tasks. Existing medical conditions and their frail body takes away their sense of independence from them. If you have such a parent and you have tried everything to help him/her gain control over their life but nothing seems to work, we will strongly recommend you to enroll your parent in an occupational therapy program. You must be aware of physical therapy but you might not know exactly what occupational therapy is. In this article, we will tell you what occupational therapy is and what are its benefits for an elderly. Let’s get started.
Occupational Therapy
This therapy is a process that can help people of any age develop, maintain, or recover skills that are essential for completing daily activities. From toddlers to seniors, anyone can benefit from occupational therapy in Ann Arbor. It is important to know that an occupational therapy program is not the same for everyone. Depending on an individual’s needs, a custom program is developed by a professional therapist. For instance, a program for a child with Scoliosis will be entirely different from a program designed for an elderly dealing with Parkinson’s disease. When designing a program, an occupational therapist work with the patient’s support team, which might include teachers, parents, caregivers, etc. Everyone associated with the patient need to understand their role in the program.
Benefits of Occupational Therapy For Elderly
Everyday Life Becomes Easier
Occupational therapists have helped countless number of seniors gain back their independence and complete their everyday tasks with ease. When elderly are not able to complete their daily activities, they become disappointed and stop making efforts. And when they stop doing their daily tasks, they also gradually stop engaging in other areas of their life such as hobbies, social gathering, and family outings. This over time leads to feelings of isolation and depression, which can take a serious toll on the health of a senior. With the help of an occupational therapist, a senior can learn exercises and rehabilitation techniques that will make it easier for him/her to perform daily essential tasks such as eating, dressing, and bathing.
Risk of Falls Come Down
Many elderly Americans over the age of 65 fall every year. Some are lucky to not get harmed while others either end up in the emergency room or pass away due to the impact of a fall. So, it is essential that people associated with a senior do not take falls lightly. One effective way of preventing falls in seniors is enrolling them in an occupational therapy program. A professional therapist will teach your senior loved one methods to prevent falls. A therapist will also teach effective muscle building and balancing exercises to the patient that keeps the body strong and alert for many years.
Apart from the above-mentioned physical benefits, occupational therapy can also provide mental benefits to your senior loved one. Your loved one’s memory skills will significantly improve with the help of occupational therapy. If interested, you can get in touch with a reputable rehabilitation clinic in Ann Arbor and get your parent or senior loved one enrolled in an occupational therapy program.
Author’s Bio: The author is a blogger. This article is about occupational therapy and its benefits for elderly.
