More than six million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and 73% are 75 or older, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. As the disease progresses, daily activities can become more difficult for those with Alzheimer’s and create a bigger workload for their caregivers.
Helping those with Alzheimer’s remain independent in their activities of daily living as long as possible benefits both the caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s. And one way to do that is through occupational therapy.
What is occupational therapy?
While many caregivers are familiar with physical therapy, they tend to be less familiar with occupational therapy.
“Speaking in broad terms, occupational therapy is focused on a person’s ability to succeed at the activities of daily living that occupy their life’s routines, roles and rituals,” said Dan Gibbons, an occupational therapist and owner of Staybility LLC. “Physical therapy is focused more on the physical ability a person needs to move their body.”
Occupational therapy, however, focuses on helping a person complete everyday tasks like eating, bathing, keeping up with hygiene and communicating with others.
How can occupational therapy help someone with Alzheimer’s?
Occupational therapy can play an important role in managing Alzheimer’s by helping the person with the disease maintain some level of independence while reducing a caregiver’s burden.
One study found that OT improved the daily functioning abilities of the person with Alzheimer’s and decreased the workload of caregivers, while another analysis of several studies found the same benefits. And occupational therapy can provide benefits no matter where a person is in the disease progression, Gibbons said.
OT improved the daily functioning abilities of the person with Alzheimer’s and decreased the workload of caregivers.
“OTs work with people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in all stages of their disease process,” he said. “In the early stages, we work with individuals to understand their disease process and how it affects daily living, decision-making and interactions with others. We teach compensatory strategies, as working and short-term memory become less reliable. As clients get further along in their disease process, we work closely with caregivers—both to help maximize the client’s ability to participate in daily activities and to reduce caregiver burden.”
Occupational therapists can not only help a senior with Alzheimer’s improve their abilities, they can help caregivers create settings that make it easier for their loved one to navigate their changing circumstances.
Occupational therapists focus on four types of interventions:
- Modification – OTs help those with Alzheimer’s modify their actions to help navigate their new circumstances. This can include adapting behavior, identifying support and verbal cueing.
- Maintenance – Occupational therapy can create systems that help a person with Alzheimer’s function better in their daily lives. This can include labeling where things go or only putting seasonal clothes in the closet to avoid confusion.
- Health – OTs work with older adults with Alzheimer’s to improve their health through increasing physical strength, cognitive awareness and emotional stability.
- Remediation – Occupational therapy can’t recover lost memory, but OTs can work with seniors with Alzheimer’s to make improvements in a senior’s daily life.
How can I help a senior with their occupational therapy?
Like physical therapy, occupational therapy can require that exercises be done consistently at home for the best results. Caregivers need to be prepared to offer reminders and help with occupational therapy “homework.”
“When working with any type of therapist – whether it be OT, PT, speech therapy – a caregiver should be prepared to follow through with their loved one daily to ensure assigned exercises and assignments are completed according to your therapist’s advice,” Gibbons said. “Therapies rarely prescribe daily treatment with a therapist or assistant; therefore, the responsibility for ensuring the client completes their ‘homework’ falls on the caregiver.”
If you don’t have a medical background, the thought of helping with therapy can be daunting, but Gibbons said not to worry.
“I always let my clients and their caregivers know that their treatment plan isn’t set in stone,” he said. “Communicate with your therapist if your ‘homework’ is too much of a burden, and they will meet you in the middle to find the right home program for your loved one.”
How do I know if my loved one can benefit from occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy can be beneficial for nearly any person dealing with Alzheimer’s.
Occupational therapy can be beneficial for nearly any person dealing with Alzheimer’s.
“I would recommend anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s to look into an OT consult, regardless of what stage they may be in the disease process,” Gibbons said. “Making an introduction with an OT can give clients and caregivers a better understanding of how to extend and maximize their independence as far as possible.”
OTs can also help make a senior’s home safer for them and help caregivers decide on the best course of action to help the senior maintain their independence.
“Your OT can discuss recommendations with you for home safety modifications, technology to facilitate maximum independence, and will discuss your individual situation,” Gibbons said.