Occupational Therapy Helps Support Senior Independence
As seniors start to near the age of retirement and think about how they want to live, they should start thinking about what they can do now to protect their health and stay living independently in the future. Since most seniors want to stay in their own homes as they get older, there are things they can look into now to maintain their independence as long as possible. The first thing that seniors should do is talk to their children and family members about their wishes. It will take everyone working together to make sure they can safely age in place.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that is appropriate for anyone but has special benefits for seniors. Occupational therapy is a series of activities and exercises designed to help people improve their physical ability to perform simple movements. Occupational therapy is focused on helping seniors have the grip strength to open cupboards, hold a cup, or open the mail.
It also helps senior maintain their hand/eye coordination, spatial awareness, and cognitive skills. By building muscle memory for simple tasks now occupational therapy makes it easier for seniors to be able to take care of themselves independently in the years to come.
Home Care
Seniors should start getting home care as soon as they retire. Home care is great for seniors because it helps seniors keep their household running. A home care provider can help seniors with household tasks that are difficult for them like cleaning the bathroom, sweeping, doing the laundry, or washing dishes.
Home care providers also do things like manage medications, pick up orders at the pharmacy, and help seniors with the shopping. They provide general assistance that seniors can use now and in the future.
Getting the House in Order
Now is the time for seniors who want to remain at home to get their homes ready. In order to be safe at home seniors should have a bedroom and a full bathroom on the main floor in case they are unable to do the stairs at some point. They also should have furniture that is designed to be easy for seniors to get in and out of.
It’s also a good idea to pull out any area rugs and other tripping hazards and make sure that the flooring is designed with seniors in mind who may need to use walkers or wheelchairs at some point in the future. Small changes now can keep seniors comfortable in their homes in the future.
Starting a Fitness Regimen
Seniors should also start a fitness regimen now. Staying active is the number one most recommended way for seniors to stay healthy as they get older. By starting to exercise regularly now seniors can stay independent in their own homes for a long time.