Do You Know What Benefits Occupational Therapist Provide? Find Out.

What is Occupational Therapy, and How Can it Improve Senior Care near Evanston, IL? 

Many people commonly confuse occupational therapy with physical therapy. There are many differences between the two and it’s important to understand these, especially for somebody who requires some type a senior care.

Senior health care services could include visiting nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, home care aides, and much more, depending on the patient’s requirements and health. For example, a person returning home from a stay at the hospital because of a stroke may require any or all of the above services.

Occupational therapy is one step in the process of senior care. An occupational therapist is somebody who helps other individuals who have any type of mental or physical illness rehabilitate through the general activities of daily life. The American Occupational Therapy Association describes occupational therapist as individuals who help “people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.”

Occupational therapist also provide numerous benefits for senior care providers. They can educate senior care providers about various aspects of the care, things they can do for the patient, and ways to best help the individual.

The Amount of Occupational Therapy Needed

Most occupational therapists will state that one hour of therapy a week is simply not enough. It’s not going to be beneficial for the patient to be that limited with regard to the recovery. However, an occupational therapist may only be showing up once or twice a week to work with the elderly patient for an hour or less.

That means the senior care provider becomes an essential component in the recovery process. Occupational therapist will teach the patient as well as any caregiver’s safe body mechanics, activities to do with the patient, and steps to take to encourage the patient to be as involved in their recovery as possible.

Affecting Lives

Occupational therapists can positively impact numerous lives, not just the patient’s but also their family members and other caregivers working with them. An occupational therapist can alleviate some symptoms of depression within the patient because when the elderly patient realizes he or she can still take part in activities, it can have a positive influence on their emotional well-being.

When it comes to senior care, the patient who requires some physical therapy will often rely on the services of an occupational therapist. It’s more than just physical therapy and can be highly beneficial for numerous reasons.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care near Evanston, IL  – contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786.

Our senior care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Jamie Shapiro