How Occupational Therapy Can Help Treat Dementia

Dementia is defined as the loss of cognitive functioning caused by physical changes in the brain.  The specific symptoms of dementia differ from person to person, but they’ll typically involve problems with any combination of the following:

• Short-term memory

• Concentration

• Language

• Reasoning

• Problem solving

• Spatial awareness

• Orientation to date and time

• Mood and personality changes

Dementia is a progressive condition that has no cure, but occupational therapy for dementia can provide interventions that preserve remaining function and even help slow the decline.  

How occupational therapy can help treat dementia

The role of an occupational therapist in the treatment of dementia is to help prolong independence in day-to-day activities.  While caregivers and family members often think about what a person with dementia can’t do, the dementia occupational therapist focuses on strengthening what the person can do. The first step is to evaluate the patient’s strengths, impairments, and areas of need. Next, the occupational therapist will identify goals and create a plan of actions, activities, and interventions designed to preserve functioning and maximize quality of life. An

occupational therapy care plan may include: 

• Memory aids – Calendars, medication reminders, or daily schedules posted on the wall may be all that’s needed to support memory function in the early stages of dementia. Some patients may need to be reminded to eat or use the bathroom, and an occupational therapist can help provide interventions in these areas, too.

• Environmental modifications – Eliminating clutter and installing grab rails help decrease the risk of falls. Cushions on chairs can help raise the seat height to make eating at the table more comfortable. Nightlights in hallways and reflector tape on the floor or walls can help light the way to the bathroom at night. Occupational therapy often employs environmental modifications like these to enhance safety, security, and comfort.

• Physical exercise – Dancing, walking around the block, and doing simple yoga poses are all examples of fun exercises an occupational therapist might use to help promote optimal wellness in patients with dementia. Physical exercise helps to maintain blood flow to the brain, and enhances muscle control, coordination, strength, flexibility, and balance, supporting patient safety and everyday functioning.

• Fun – One crucial element of the occupational therapy assessment is the discovery of what the patient loves to do. Whether that’s singing, painting, doing crossword puzzles, or playing with grandchildren, a skilled occupational therapist will incorporate these meaningful activities into the care plan. Time spent doing enjoyable activities will have a profound impact on anyone’s quality of life, including people with dementia.

• Caregiver and family education– In their eagerness to help, family members and caregivers can negatively impact the patient’s functioning by performing their activities of daily living (dressing, eating and grooming) for them, rather than helping them do it for themselves. An occupational therapist will spend time educating family and caregivers on how to best provide support that empowers and prolongs patient independence.

Occupational therapy for dementia treatment in San Diego

At Bella Vista Health Center, our occupational therapists are highly skilled and trained to help preserve functioning and maximize quality of life for all patients, including those with dementia. If you’re seeking occupational therapy for the treatment of dementia, we invite you to come visit our 5-star skilled nursing facility in Lemon Grove today.  

When is it Time to Seek Occupational Therapy?

Although the word “occupation” typically refers to a job or career, the definition can broaden to everyday roles like cooking, cleaning, driving, and even parenting. We all have a variety of daily occupations that we don’t think much about until an injury, illness or other obstacle gets in the way of our doing them. When this happens, occupational therapy can help.

Unlike physical therapy, which aims to improve mobility, occupational therapy focuses on performing daily tasks. After evaluating your situation, an occupational therapist will develop a modification plan and/or individualized recovery goals that allow you to resume or pursue your valued occupations. Here are some situations that can benefit from occupational therapy:

1. Recovering from injury

Most daily tasks involve using our hands, which is why proper recovery from broken wrists, elbows, fingers, or repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome is so vital. Occupational therapy can help regain skills such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and gardening. An occupational therapist may also incorporate work adaptations and ergonomic assessments so you can perform work tasks safely as well.

2. Managing chronic medical conditions

Certain medical conditions like chronic pain and arthritis don’t necessarily have a cure, but occupational therapy can help with modifications to reduce discomfort in your joints, as well as introduce adaptive equipment to assist in daily tasks such as dressing, grooming, writing, cooking, and other hobbies.

3. Rebuilding independence after a stroke

Neurological illnesses and injuries often require extensive recovery periods in skilled nursing facilities. In many of these cases, occupational therapy is employed to improve a patient’s range of motion, strength, and use of the upper extremities in order to support the performance of daily living activities. Occupational therapy is similarly helpful for conditions including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.

4. Ensuring independence for seniors

According to the AARP, four out of five Americans age 45 or older wish to live at home for as long as they can, and occupational therapy can help achieve this goal. Many seniors face moving to a nursing facility because their families are worried about their ability to perform day-to-day activities such as cooking and grooming. Occupational therapy can help with environmental modifications (such as grab bars in tubs and showers) that allow seniors to age in place safely. 

5. Helping with memory loss

While the bulk of occupational therapy is focused on physical challenges, it can assist those with mental challenges as well. Occupational therapists can help people with memory less maintain their ability to perform basic daily tasks including shopping and using public transportation. Occupational therapists are also trained to set up home modifications to help stimulate memory and ensure the safety of the patient.

Experiencing difficulty with daily tasks? We can help.

At Bella Vista Health Center, our 5-star skilled nursing facility provides patients with high-quality care in a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. Our occupational and physical therapy programs offer evidence-based, outcome-driven services that are designed to relieve pain, restore function, and enhance health. 
So if you’re looking for top-notch skilled nursing services as well as occupational or physical therapy in San Diego, contact us today for more information about our programs. We look forward to helping you with your recovery, and we’ll be here every step of the way. For more information, give us a call at (619) 644-1000.