The term “Occupational Therapy” (“OT”) can conjur up different images for different individuals. Sometimes children receive OT services in a school for fine motor activities such as handwriting help, zipping, buttoning, and tying their shoes. Other children may need OT for gross motor skills such as running, jumping, or other large motor movements. Occupational Therapy is also utilized by people of all ages for strength training, balance, and regaining or retraining the body’s muscular movement patterns.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapists commonly help older adults by providing support to continue or regain the ability to participate and executive everyday activities. For some, OT may be used for rehabilitation after a surgery or fall. For others, OT services can be used to maintain their quality of life. based on the person’s goals are.
OT services are typically customized to meet the needs of each patient, and health insurance often covers a large portion of the cost. For example, an individual who has suffered a stroke may need to regain basic motor skills, walking, or speaking clearly. Another individual may need motor skill development if he or she is losing vision and needs to learn how to walk with a cane or walker.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all OT plan, occupational therapy for the elderly may improve the quality of life for adults by preventing, maintaining, or rebuilding important mobility skills.
