What Is The Importance Of Occupational Therapy At Nursing Homes?
Nursing homes are the perfect facility for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that make it difficult for them to take care of themselves. If your disability is temporary, a short-term stay at a good nursing home will speed up your recovery and improve your health in lesser time. Pasadena nursing home uses highly professional patient care strategies and occupational therapy is one of them.
Occupational therapy intends to enable people to live better with illness, injury, or disability. It aims to improve the quality of life of people bothered by various illnesses and disabilities (permanent or temporary).
How Does Occupational Therapy Work?
Occupational therapists address the psychological, physical, and cognitive aspects of humans using everyday activities. The OT strategy devised for each individual depends on their specific medical condition and overall health status.
Occupational therapists may work with patients directly to find out new ways to help them overcome their barriers. It could be a new way to get dressed or some simple exercise to improve strength. The family members of the patients may also be asked to take part in the coaching sessions so that they learn better about taking care of the patients. Occupational therapists may suggest changes in the patient’s living environment such as changing the utensils for eating.
The person’s individual physiology, his/her support system, and the living environment, all collectively contribute towards developing an appropriate occupational therapy mechanism.
Why Is Occupational Therapy At Nursing Homes Necessary?
Many might think that occupational therapy is something that is needed only in cases of an accident or stroke. This is a common misconception. OT is devised for patients bothered by all kinds of disabilities and illnesses and everything starting from an individual’s habits, social life, routines, and motor processes are taken into account before recommending them OT.
Look for nursing homes providing occupational therapy in the following cases:
Recovery From Surgery
Surgery takes a toll on your body. Even if you haven’t had surgery but are planning for one, you may be under a lot of stress. Older adults take longer to heal from surgery. Staying at a nursing home that provides occupational therapy will help a lot during recovery period.
An Extended Illness
Being hospitalized for many days will have a serious negative impact on your body. You may lose your former strength and enthusiasm due to the extended illness and a nursing home stay combined with occupational therapy will help you return home in better form.
A Medical Condition That Alters One’s Physical Abilities
Medical conditions like a stroke can have a major negative impact on your physical abilities and you will have to adapt to the changes the condition has brought to your physical status. Occupational therapy offered at nursing homes can help you a lot in figuring out effective ways to perform your daily activities.
Quality nursing homes realize the importance of the physical and mental health of the patients and offer therapies that help both.