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Occupational therapy is a common part of rehabilitation programs, and it helps patients recover by having them perform activities from their daily life. This is often necessary for seniors who want to remain independent after a physical injury, such as a fall, or if their mental capacities are declining. Here’s what elderly patients can expect from a session and what the benefits are. 

Occupational Therapy for Seniors 

If a senior has a stroke, their daily activities like walking, speaking clearly, and holding a fork can become difficult and frustrating. Occupational therapy helps seniors regain these abilities and their independence. Seniors in the early stages of dementia can also benefit. 

A Typical Occupational Therapy Session 

Rehabilitation ProgramEach session will be tailored to the patient’s needs and lifestyle. The therapist will focus on tasks the patient can complete—not the ones they can’t—to demonstrate how to safely perform daily activities. Some techniques include physical exercise using medicine balls, performing activities like dressing and brushing teeth, and cognitive exercises like reading aloud.   

Benefits of Occupational Therapy 

In a rehabilitation program, seniors learn how to stay active while preventing future falls, including making home modifications like shower benches. Occupational therapy also promotes visual awareness in patients with glaucoma, as a therapist can put bright stickers on appliances to help locate power buttons.

By empowering the senior to resume daily activities, their emotional wellness will improve, bettering their overall quality of life. The occupational therapist will also teach a caregiver how to bathe and interact with the senior, and they will help them to decide when to assist the senior with a task or when to support them by observing.

 

If you’re considering a rehabilitation program for your loved one, contact Wolcott View Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center in New Haven County, CT. This health center has first-rate facilities and an expert team ready to help your loved one recover. Visit their website or call (203) 879-8066 to learn more about this rehabilitation program. 

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