Don’t get them confused with physical therapists – Occupational Therapists are proven professionals making an impact on the daily lives of people of all ages. This less familiar form of therapy has been making a difference since 1917 and has continued to grow in popularity due to consistent results. From functional assessment through rewarding progress, Occupational Therapy (OT) is defining success in treatment across generations through its focus on the whole person.
What occupies your time is your occupation. Whether through a child with developmental delays learning fine motor skills or a senior relearning Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) after a stroke, Occupational Therapy is there to pave the way to success. How are these holistic practitioners achieving consistent success? It all comes down to teaching strategies and managing meaningful processes.
7 Successful Occupational Therapy Strategies
1. Learn to overcome everyday challenges.
We all learned basic care techniques as we grew. Seemingly simple tasks like brushing our teeth or putting on clothes can become suddenly complicated after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or cognitive decline. Relearning these daily activities can be challenging and an Occupational Therapist is there to break down the tasks so we can restore or improve skills.
Improve Basic Skills
ADLs
Dexterity
Strength
Range of motion
Mobility
OT creates successful outcomes after an incident or when used proactively. If you observe a decline in the ability to complete daily activities, these therapists can develop a care plan to improve basic tasks. Maintaining independence is very important for those who want to age in place at home for as long as possible.
2. Routines help manage memory loss.
Turns out, most of us are big fans of routine. For individuals with memory loss due to age, stroke, or dementia, Occupational Therapists can work to create routines and create compensating strategies to retain independence in daily activities. Using visual cues and mnemonic devices, a memory-impaired person can learn coping strategies to remember and complete tasks.
Memory Loss Therapy Strategies
Image match
Word match
Task sequencing
Adaptive aids
These skilled therapists focus on the strengths that remain. By incorporating routines, the Occupational Therapist can improve performance and mobility in daily exercises. They provide support for those habits and routines that are working well to prolong independence and ensure a safe, supportive environment.
3. Home modifications can create long-term success at home.
If you want to modify a home to promote independence and enable an aging parent to age in place, get an Occupational Therapist on your modification team. Beyond grab bars and wheelchair ramps, these mobility professionals are finding ways to make high-traffic spaces more efficient and create safe spaces to last a lifetime.
Home modifications may seem like an overwhelming step for a senior who has learned to function – however precariously! – in their home. An Occupational Therapist works with the senior to assess accessibility and safety hazards as well as sensory and emotional status. All of this combined with a support system is how an Occupational Therapist strategically recommends modifications to aid the senior in daily success.
4. Occupational Therapy gives confidence to visually impaired individuals.
Visual impairment will require adjustments in orientation and mobility to keep a senior moving safely and independently in their home. These strategies rely on the existing strengths and offer alternative workarounds for everyday tasks. The therapist may assess a need for changes to the home or adaptive equipment to keep life moving as smoothly as possible.
The addition of visual cues such as identification tags – color-coded or tactile – as well as lighting enhancements are practical changes that an Occupational Therapist may employ. The therapist may offer equipment solutions such as audio equipment and magnifiers in a care plan to assist a visually impaired person. And the simplest, no-cost solution? Clean up clutter that could pose a safety hazard.
5. OT has the keys to success in fall prevention.
Not to make light of a serious subject, but falls are a bit like potato chips – you rarely have just one. One in four older adults over 65 – or over 14 million people – fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries, described by the CDC as “common, costly, and preventable.”
How can OT help? Through home assessments, adaptations, and modification recommendations, Occupational Therapists help seniors prevent falls. By reducing and eliminating hazards, seniors can live independently longer. From simple home strategies to collaborating with other professionals, these fall prevention experts are successfully strategizing to keep their seniors healthy and happy at home.
Fall Prevention Strategies
Remove clutter
Secure rugs
Install handrails and grab bars
Provide durable medical equipment
Increase lighting
Occupational Therapy Uses a Holistic Approach
OT considers the whole person when creating strategies for success. Occupational Therapists know their clients’ strength lies in more than just their body but in their mind and spirit as well. For example, a stroke may affect a person’s body, but the compassionate therapist knows that a successful recovery also considers mental changes and impacts to primary relationships.
Most professions only deal with the problem at hand. Occupational Therapists seek to understand how your current condition impacts the other areas of your life. Therefore, each perspective is considered in a plan of care. With a holistic lens, the therapist can guide a senior back to health by dealing with the presenting condition as well as other conditions stemming from it.
What is Meaningful to You?
The primary question on the mind of your Occupational Therapist is what is meaningful to you. From going to work to brushing your teeth to walking the dog, your therapist approaches your care with the goal of restoring you to functional independence – whatever that looks like for you. Living with the impacts of a stroke, cognitive decline, or other health setbacks can lead to difficulties in other areas of life. Your Occupational Therapist looks carefully and compassionately to develop strategies that best address your whole person.
Why We Love Occupational Therapy
Puzzle-solvers, client-centered, and endlessly dedicated to their client’s success, Occupational Therapist bring their all to every interaction and work tirelessly to find the right strategies for long-term success. Have you met a local Occupational Therapist? Ask them why they love their profession, and you are sure to feel the fire and passion in their words.
“I love Occupational Therapy because it empowers me to witness the transformative journey of individuals overcoming challenges and rediscovering their independence. The meaningful connections I form through this profession resonate with my passion for making a positive impact on people’s lives. Witnessing them confidently and independently join social activities, meet friends, and enjoy leisurely walks is incredibly fulfilling. It’s about enabling individuals to embrace life again, and that’s what makes this field so special to me.”
- Jital Patel, OT
Owner, Coastal Occupational Therapy
Bring Occupational Therapy into the comfort of your home and let them create a new, improved lifestyle for you. If you experience a health incident or recognize general physical or cognitive decline, Occupational Therapy is a Resource We Love. Read more about these comprehensive, compassionate therapists in the Resources Section of our Blog.