Many people inadvertently overlook the importance of occupational therapy for seniors. However, this form of therapy, also referred to as OT, is designed to help in a variety of different ways to make a senior’s daily life a lot easier. Here are three main benefits of occupational therapy for elderly individuals. 

3 Major Benefits of Occupational Therapy

1. Improve Independence

Before a senior begins Occupational Therapy, the therapist will talk with he or she in depth about the senior’s daily life and what he or she physically struggles with. Occupational Therapy is all about improving a person’s ability to move through daily tasks in a safe, comfortable way to complement a senior’s desire to live independently. OT therapists work with seniors to help them to get dressed efficiently, shower by themselves, so other daily cares and even prepare meals.

2. Build Range of Motion 

Occupational Therapy involves some work on building their range of motion to be able to handle the daily care tasks. Some tasks may be practiced to create muscle memory. If an OT therapist notices that a certain movement is problematic, she or he will focus on exercises to improve the patient’s or resident’s strength and flexibility in that area. 

3. Prevent Falls

By improving senior patients’ range of motion and their ability to live as independently as possible, occupational therapy helps your loved one by reducing their chances of falling or sustaining other life-threatening injuries. OT specialists will also help arrange to have safety features added to their living space, such as handrails, grab bars, reachers, and slip-free mats in bathrooms and kitchens. 

If you or your loved one would benefit from occupational therapy and additional assistance, let the team at Bethany St. Joseph Corporation in the La Crosse, WI, area help. For more than 40 years, this team of medical specialists and therapists have focused on creating safer, more comfortable environments for their tenants and residents. To learn more about their cost-effective care options, visit their website or give them a call at (608) 788-5700.