Do you have a loved one who struggles with independence? This may be an aging parent who is starting to have slips in memory, a spouse who just never “bounced back” after a stroke, or a friend who has experienced a traumatic brain injury. The truth is, most people’s ability to function independently changes greatly over time, with some decline toward the end. As a friend or family member, you know this person doesn’t want to be “taken care of” and would rather be independent forever! How can you help them to regain or retain independence? Home rehabilitation consultants in NJ work closely with occupational therapists for these sorts of issues. Read on to see how they can help your loved one!
Activities of Daily Living
Tasks such as getting dressed, bathing, brushing teeth, eating food, and toileting are typically considered activities of daily living, or ADLs as you might hear our occupational therapists call them. Everyone does these things at some level, and not being able to do them independently can cause frustration and low mood. Our occupational therapists work directly with clients to help them rebuild old skills and learn new ways of accomplishing these tasks independently.
Safety
Feeling or being unsafe at home is a terrifying prospective. Ensure your loved one’s safety with a home safety assessment with an occupational therapist! Professionals carefully evaluate physical and cognitive needs and discuss how these work in the home environment. Expert therapists suggest modifications, such as moving slippery rugs, installing additional safety rails, or using adaptive technology to promote safety.
Memory
If your loved one is showing signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia, or have suffered a brain injury, they may struggle with memory. Worse, frustration, distraction, and changes in routine can exacerbate these problems! While occupational therapists cannot fix brain structures, they can help you to find the best ways to use your existing skills and adaptive tools to regain your functioning.
Daily Functioning
One of the best parts about in-home rehabilitation is how easy it is to customize services! Many of our clients have presented with specific challenges to their daily functioning, such as handwriting issues that prevent them from writing, difficulty using common household tools, or challenges with technology. A skilled occupational therapist will listen closely to your needs and provide tools to make these activities possible again!
When you seek services in NJ for occupational therapy, make sure to consider in-home services! Your loved one likely has challenges throughout the community, but the most pressing needs are those that affect the home environment. Make sure to choose a licensed, credentialed, and strongly referred home healthcare company and help your loved one to do the most with what the have!