Better Quality, Better You

In the geriatric population, both injuries and diseases can play a major part on one’s muscle strength and coordination and can cause them to need occupational therapy. However, sometimes individuals with skills already such as bathing, brushing their hair, walking, and eating can use the therapy to help them remain independent or do things in life that they enjoy. It is important to understand the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy when it comes to the elderly population, because many may be recommended to see both. “An easy way to remember the occupational therapy (OT) specialty is that it is about the technical execution of daily activities: OT’s help clients perform daily functions or “occupations”. Occupational therapy tends to be more focused on improving life skills and often involves adaptive tools that lead to a better quality of life. A physical therapist, on the other hand, works with a person to improve mobility. They are more likely to treat the physical source of the injury: damaged tissues, muscle, and structure.”1

“According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapists help people participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping people recovering from an injury or health event to regain skills, and provide support for older adults experiencing physical changes.”2

Last week I briefly discussed some activities within the pediatric population that allows therapy to be more appealing for children. Today I want to discuss some activities that allow therapy to be more fun for the geriatric population. This blog is dedicated for families or therapists who are working within the geriatric population and want to make therapy more fun and enjoyable for their patients.

When working with the geriatric population, it is important to take into consideration the goals they are wanting to achieve. Some goals may seem easier to complete than others, but you have to take it one step at a time. Some examples of goals may include cooking a meal, planting flowers, writing a letter, playing games with friends, brushing their hair, putting on clothes, or brushing their teeth. As a therapist it is important to stem your therapy towards their goals. I had the opportunity to see firsthand, in the nursing home setting, how occupational therapists worked with their patients. Listed below are some activities they used to help make therapy more enjoyable for their patients.

Activities:

Shelling pecans

Listening to music

Playing games   

Taking a walk

Crafts

Arm exercises

Throwing/catching a beach ball

Working a puzzle

Baking

Placing pegs into a peg board

Memory game

Some of the activities above focus on physical and functional impairments while others work on their memory skills. One of the main goals in geriatric occupational therapy is strengthening muscles and regaining coordination. Activities like throwing a beach ball or simply taking a walk can help the patient’s range of motion and basic strength. Other activities like playing games, doing crafts, and listening to music may not be strengthening activities, but work on coordination, stimulation, and memory and are also enjoyable.

If you know someone or have a family member who you think may need therapy, encourage them to talk with their doctor so that they can continue doing the things that they enjoy.

References

1 Wilding, M. (2012, September 66). How Occupational Therapists Help Seniors Get Things Done. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from http://www.healthworkscollective.com/ecaring/48586/how-occupational-therapists-help-seniors-get-things-done

2The American Occupational Therapy Association. (2017). Retrieved March 6, 2017, from http://www.aota.org