Occupational Therapy Helps Seniors in Woolwich Township to Live Life to It’s Fullest

Occupational therapy allows men and women of all ages to enjoy life by enabling them to encourage health, prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice that revolves around science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience, and “best practices” that have been developed and proved over time.

If a senior in your life is receiving home care services, you might also consider asking their physician about Occupational Therapy services that are often covered by Medicare.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are relevant to the person. It is occupational therapy’s intent to get beyond problems to the methods that assure living life to its fullest. These treatments may be modifications for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or aiding people to adjust their own behaviors.

When utilizing an occupational therapy practitioner, strategies and changes are individualized for each person to resolve issues, enhance function, and help everyday living tasks. The purpose is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic approaches, occupational therapy aids individuals structure their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their environments (e,g., home, school, or work) and build health-promoting habits and regimes that will permit them to succeed.

By obtaining the full picture into account—a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:

•           Meet goals
•           Perform at the highest level
•           Center on what matters most to them
•           Keep or rebuild their self-sufficiency
•           Take part in daily interests that they need or want to do.

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.