Aged Care Occupational Therapy

Elderly adults, particularly those who have been through illness or injuries, can often face impairments to mobility and overall physical function that makes day-to-day life difficult. These can be caused by multiple factors: 

• Sarcopenia: the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with age. 
• Arthritis and other chronic pain disorders, which can make everyday movements painful 
• Degenerative disc disease and other spine disorders that can cause chronic or debilitating pain and walking impairment
• History of surgery or long-term hospitalisation, which is more difficult to recover from in old age
• Dementia and cognitive decline, which can affect coordination and fine motor skills 

Fall prevention and home safety is one of the most crucial elements of aged care occupational therapy, and its importance cannot be overstated. 

A fall that would cause little to no injury to a young or middle-aged person can lead to a debilitating injury or even death to an older person. This is largely because older people's bones are typically less dense and more brittle, so falls can often lead to fractures that are difficult to recover from. A hip fracture, for example, has a 26% one-year mortality rate.

Our occupational therapists will assess each client's living situation, functional capacity, and impairments in order to recommend home modifications that will keep them safe. 

These home modifications include, but are not limited to: 

• Grab bars near beds and in bathrooms 
• Shower chairs or benches and raised toilet seats 
• Lighting improvements 
• Removal of tripping hazards such as loose rugs, cords, uneven surfaces, or miscellaneous objects in walkways 
• Non-slip mats