Occupational Therapy for Dementia

Dementia is an overall term for memory loss and decline in cognition. Specifically characterized by the decline in mental ability which affects daily life. The mental decline has no cure, but there are types of therapy that specialize in providing strategies and modifications to keep an individual as independent as possible. Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on the activities that individuals can complete and work to adapt function or environment to maximize independence for as long as possible.

Occupational therapists can work with individuals both in their home, as well as in settings such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. With the goal being the same, to maintain highest level of function in the safest setting. In either setting, issues such as outbursts or need for activities remain the same and the modifications can be similar. OT's help to make adaptions as well as decisions on which settings or how much assistance may be needed to keep someone in their home.

An occupational therapists role will be different depending on the progression of dementia as well as specific to each individual. Certain individuals who are prone to wandering and getting lost will need adaptions to doors and modified schedules with focus on activities in order to reduce wandering behaviors and outburts that are typically associated with not being "allowed" to wander. Others who may be further along the progression of dementia can no longer perform any tasks without very specific directions such as "brush your teeth" or "sit down now".

Although OTs do spend many of their sessions with the individual with dementia, it is also very common to work with the caregiver or family member to attempt to ease the burden and maximize independence to their highest level. OTs can assist with any and all kinds of modifications or adaptions such as having difficulty with getting their loved one to take their medicine or even needing more resources on where to find information and assistance. They can also assist caregivers with daily routine strategies to make the day to day a little bit easier. And if you are a caregiver then you appreciate when even the little things go right and don't turn into something more difficult to handle. A quick adjustment or expert advice from an OT might be the difference between barely keeping it together and just absolutely losing it.

Besides modifications and strategies, what can OT really do for my loved one with dementia?

It is not often that an individual is only suffering from dementia but rather dementia and arthritis, diabetes, etc. Occupational therapists provide expertise in not only cognition, but strategies to improve range of motion, strengthening, endurance, and mobility. Whether the individual is having difficulty maintaining good hygiene due to mental decline or if the upper body strength is limiting persons ability to pull them self to a standing position with a grab bar, an OT can help.

Depending on the progression of the diseases and the other issues that the individual is dealing with it is possible that you may use an occupational therapist for contracture management (when the joints gets stiff), skin protection (to prevent wounds) or safe transfer training for you and your family.

Understanding the versatility of an occupational therapist is the first step to achieving the most out of an OT visit. Insurance companies will typically cover an issue that has had a change in condition, such as an improvement or a set back. Speak to your insurance company and MD about your issues, sometimes you have to be your own advocate in order to get your loved one the help they need.

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