man in dementia occupational therapy with nurse

At Bella Vista Health Center, our Occupational Therapy programs are designed to help patients restore functional independence and improve their quality of life after an illness or injury. Our Occupational Therapists also work with clients who suffer from Dementia and other types of memory loss.  

Following an evaluation, our in-house occupational therapists develop a customized program focused on getting each patient back into a home setting and equipped with the necessary skills for proper self care. Through an individualized occupational therapy treatment plan, the Bella Vista Health Center team works hard to make sure each patient is making progress towards his or her functional goals and can return to life with the most comfort and mobility possible.

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 Occupational Therapy Services

The goal of the Occupational Therapy program here at our assisted living facility is to address the challenges that interfere with a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks and provide a treatment plan to overcome them.  There are several programs available to rehab patients at Bella Vista Health Center, including: 

  • Strength training

Though weakening muscles and a fragile skeletal system can affect functionality, older adults can regain the strength they need to perform activities of daily living with occupational therapy. Strength training utilizes a variety of resistance and flexibility exercises to improve a patient’s balance, coordination, endurance, and control.

  • Transfer training

Transfer training refers to the methods a patient will use to move his or her body from one surface to another, such as in and out of the shower, on and off of a chair, and toilet transfers. The transfer training a patient will learn will depend on his or her physical limitations. If the patient uses a wheelchair or walking device, this equipment will be incorporated into the transfer method. 

  • Adaptive equipment training

When necessary, the occupational therapists at Bella Vista Health Center will introduce special devices to help patients perform activities of daily living. Adaptive equipment may include a dressing stick, a long-handled sponge for bathing, zipper pulls, bed assist bars, or special kitchen utensils for easier meal preparation and eating.
 

Occupational Therapy Rehab Center in San Diego

Through the use of strength training, transfer training, and adaptive equipment, our occupational therapy services at Bella Vista Health Center help patients regain the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), including:

  • Bathing

  • Dressing

  • Eating

  • Grooming/oral care

  • Toileting

We also help patients relearn instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which are an extension of the actions above. The following tasks are more complex and are oriented towards a patient’s ability to interact with his or her environment. Our occupational therapists are trained to modify a patient’s surroundings and present customized interventions to help with IADLs, including:
 

  • Walking

  • Caring for pets

  • Climbing stairs

  • Meal preparation

  • Using the phone

  • Housework

  • Laundry

  • Shopping

  • Emergency response

  • Medication management

Once a patient is capable of performing these activities without assistance, a discharge evaluation is performed to ensure all goals have been met for successful independent living. 

For more information on Bella Vista Health Center’s skilled nursing facility or Occupational Therapy program, please contact us at (619) 644-1000.