Aged care facilities are constantly evolving and innovating. But what does this mean for you as the resident? Increasingly, the answer is: it means more of everything. More residents, more activities, more services, and more support staff.
With such an increased focus on personal care, a lack of staff or proper support can lead to issues like high turnover rates and poor quality care. That’s where occupational therapists come in. By providing multiple settings with a broad scope of activity types and work skills, OTs make it easier for caregivers to provide the best possible care available.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
OTs are well suited to focus on the whole person, including their strengths and their needs. Their services help elderly people live a more independent, healthy, and meaningful everyday life, by improving their ability to do daily activities and work, including engaging in leisure activities. This can be done by providing support and education in a variety of settings, including the home and the workplace.
OTs also work in hospitals and assisted living facilities, providing services on an inpatient/outpatient basis to improve the quality of care and reduce falls and injuries. OTs also work with an elderly person or individuals with physical disabilities, providing assistive skills and equipment while also focusing on increasing independence and quality of life. It helps people with physical therapy and improves mental health.
This can include helping people with stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and other health conditions live more independent and healthier lives by providing help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and housekeeping.
Benefits Of Occupational Therapy In Aged Care
Here are a few benefits of OT:
Facilitates Interdependence
Interdependence is the ability of people to function at their best when provided with assistance. That’s why occupational therapy is so important in aged care – it helps residents to gain confidence in themselves, gain skill sets to improve their independence, and get out of their shells.
Improved Cognitive Function
Cognitive decline is the decline in cognitive function that occurs with age. It can be caused by factors like genetics or environmental factors like poor nutrition, lack of exercise, or poor sleep. Occupational therapists play an important role for an elderly patient in improving their cognitive abilities.
Reduced Risk Of Falls
Falls is the number one cause of injury and death among elderly patients. OT is an excellent way to prevent falls, which is why they’re so important in aged care.
Improved Quality Of Life
Quality of life is a complex issue that’s difficult to define and measure. But it’s an important consideration when looking at what can be improved at an aged care facility. If residents are more active, happy, and confident in themselves, they’re likely to have a better quality of life.
Increased Safety
In addition to preventing falls, occupational therapy can help residents to maintain their balance and use their vision. That’s why it’s so important in aged care – it helps residents to stay safe.
Improvements In Cognitive And Physical Function
OTs use proven techniques to help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing falls and injuries. Improved participation in daily activities – OTs can help improve the ability to participate in daily activities, including dressing and undressing, eating, bathing, and hygiene (e.g. toileting).
Improved Quality Of Life
OTs can help older people live independently, including by improving the ability to perform daily activities, decreasing the risk of falls and injuries, and increasing the ability to participate in social relationships.
Cost-effective
OTs can be a cost-effective solution, compared to medication and/or other therapies. It helps individuals complete everyday tasks and other functional assessments on their own and helps them lead an independent living.
Where To Find An Occupational Therapist In Aged Care
There is no one location that lists therapists who can help you with your needs in aged care. That may sound like a tricky thing, but it’s actually incredibly helpful. What is the point in hiring someone to help you with a specific need if you can’t find them?
So how can you find an occupational therapist in aged care? First, you’ll want to start by deciding what exactly you need help with. Once you have that figured out, you’ll want to start looking at online databases and directories. These are great places to start because they provide a comprehensive list of therapists who work in your geographical region.
How An OT helps In Aged Care?
An occupational therapist is an expert at assessing someone’s needs and designing a care plan to help them address those needs. They work in a variety of settings, including residential care, hospitals, and the community. This means they have the ability to help you in a huge number of ways. You may need help with daily activities like dressing and eating. You may need help with developing skill sets that will help you to be more independent.
Or, you may need help with preventing a fall or managing a medical condition. The important thing to remember is that every older person is different. An occupational therapist can help you find the solution that works best for you. OTs can be helpful in a number of ways.
They may recommend specific equipment to help you with everyday tasks like dressing, grooming, and hygiene. They may also recommend specific exercises to help improve balance and movement. Finally, they may recommend specific therapies to help you manage a medical condition or condition associated with aging like arthritis or heart disease.
Conclusion
OTs provide an essential service in older people’s health and well-being. Numerous studies have shown that occupational therapy is an effective intervention for improving health and quality of life in older people. However, the demand for occupational therapy services is not keeping pace with the growing population.
As a result, there is a shortage of occupational therapists and a reduced standard of care. In this scenario, how will your needs be met? The best way to find out is to contact a nearby occupational therapy agency. These professionals are experts at assessing your needs and designing a care plan to help you address those needs.