What Is Occupational Therapy For Seniors?
Occupational Therapy Glenholden PA
If you have a senior loved one that is aging in place, occupational therapy could help them maintain the ability to take care of themselves at home. You probably already know some types of therapy, like physical therapy which helps seniors maintain their muscle strength and mobility. But if you’ve never heard of occupational therapy before that’s ok, many people haven’t.
Occupational therapy is a collection of exercises that are designed to help anyone, including seniors, hang onto or recover the skills they need for activities of daily living. What does that mean for seniors?
Some of the skills that occupational therapy can help seniors with are things like:
- Brushing teeth
- Holding utensils
- Putting on socks
- Tying shoelaces
- Opening drawers
- Gripping door knobs
- Walking with an even gait
- Fine motor skills
- Cognitive processing
- Problem solving
- Visual perception
- Sensory processing
And many more. Seniors can benefit from occupational therapy at any age to help them maintain their ability to live at home and take care of themselves. If your senior parent fits any of these criteria then they can benefit from occupational therapy.
Seniors Who Are Recovering From A Fall
After seniors have had a fall and have spent time in the hospital or in a rehab facility healing from the injuries caused by the fall they often need occupational therapy to help them recover the abilities they used to have. With the right exercises seniors may be able to once again perform activities of daily living that make it easier for them to live at home. Home care can provide support for seniors after a fall while they have occupational therapy at home. Starting occupational therapy as soon as seniors come home after a fall can make the recovery process quicker.
Seniors That Have Had A Stroke
Strokes can cause a wide variety of damage. It’s normal for seniors to need occupational therapy after a stroke to help them recover skills like being able to grip a fork or button a shirt. If there was temporary paralysis caused by the stroke the exercises involved in occupational therapy can speed up the recovery of the use of muscles by building muscle strength and improving fine motor control so that your senior parent is able to direct their muscle movement more effectively. Occupational therapy for seniors at home can make getting to therapy much easier for seniors who are still struggling to improve their mobility after a stroke.
Seniors That Have Alzheimer’s
Nothing can stop the progression of Alzheimer’s. But the emphasis on cognitive skills, problem solving, and sensory processing in occupational therapy can help seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s delay the progression of the symptoms. Seniors who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s should start occupational therapy as soon as they can after their diagnosis. Starting therapy right away will help seniors maintain their cognitive skills as long as possible. An occupational therapist will also be able to track any changes in abilities that your senior loved one has.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Occupational Therapy in Glenholden, PA, and the surrounding area, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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