Occupational Therapy Near Me: Supporting Caregivers & Their Loved Ones

Our lives are made up of occupations: daily activities or tasks we do that bring meaning and purpose into our lives. We do these occupations to care for ourselves and others, be productive, work, and enjoy daily living.

As a caregiver, you help your loved one with different kinds of occupations that they have difficulty doing on their own. They might look like:

• Creating a routine for yourself and your care recipient
• Helping with self-care tasks like eating, bathing, or dressing
• Organizing or administering medications
• Preparing food for the household
• Cleaning and organizing the home 

At Trualta, we know how these caregiving activities can add up. Our educational tools and support resources are here to help you become the best caregiver you can be. Check if you have free access. 

Occupational Therapy Explained

It’s easy to take many of our daily occupations for granted until we have difficulty doing them. Think about all the little activities you do each day, like:

• Getting in and out of bed
• Brushing your teeth
• Sending an email
• Walking to the mailbox
• Preparing a meal
• Pulling on socks
• Driving a car

An injury, chronic illness, disability, health condition, or other challenges can make doing activities like these challenging. Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who help people engage in daily occupations. Much like physical or speech therapy, an occupational therapist creates a treatment plan to help patients recover from or live with challenges affecting their daily occupations. 

Who Is Occupational Therapy Treatment For?

The short answer is: everyone! Occupational therapists help people:

• Of all ages, from pediatric occupational therapy, to adults in the workforce, to working with older adults.
• With diverse conditions. For example, brain injury, stroke recovery, and developmental disabilities.
• In different settings. For example, in their homes, a hospital, or a hand therapy clinic. 
• With different goals. For example, rehabilitation from an injury, creating routines, self-care activities, and handwriting challenges.

4 Ways OTs Help Caregivers & Their Loved Ones

In addition to the numerous benefits to your care recipient, occupational therapy also helps caregivers! Here are 4 key benefits: 

1. Support Independence

A major tenet of occupational therapy is supporting independence and participation in activities of daily life. However, “independence” can have different meanings for different people. It can also depend on the activity itself! A lot of it involves meeting the person where they are and ensuring they’re safe. Treatment plans that support independence may involve:

• Rehabilitation exercises
• Changing the environment or activity to meet their needs
• Using equipment or devices to support them 
• Skill building, education, or training

Supporting your care recipient’s independence can help them age in place. It can also reduce the number of tasks that caregivers need to help with (or the effort they need to put in). 

2. Caregiver Training

You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt stuck or nervous about performing a caregiving task properly. Many caregivers struggle with juggling care tasks or knowing how to help their loved ones with daily activities.

Fortunately, occupational therapists can also train caregivers! These professionals are trained to support others with skill building. They can help train you on the following:

• Safe mobility techniques. For example, helping someone transfer from their bed to a wheelchair. 
• How to help with activities of daily living (ADLs). For example, helping someone bathe.
• Using assistive devices and equipment. For example, how to help someone use a walker.
• Managing challenging behaviors. For example, when caring for someone with dementia. 

3. Support Safety

Occupational therapists make recommendations that make daily living safer for your care recipient. This might include:

• Modifying the home. For example, moving commonly used objects to counters and drawers so they are easier to reach. 
• Using mobility or safety equipment. For example, installing grab bars by the toilet. 
• Changing how they do activities. For example, sitting on a shower chair while they bathe instead of standing. 
• Using safety devices. For example, wearing an emergency alert device that calls for help if it detects a fall. 

As a caregiver, this can give you more peace of mind and confidence, knowing that your care recipient is prone to fewer risks. 

4. Address & Manage Caregiver Burnout

Unfortunately, many caregivers are at risk for burnout from their busy schedules and demanding caregiving duties. An occupational therapist can help you manage this by:

• Assessing and identifying risks and signs of burnout
• Teaching coping strategies and stress management techniques
• Connecting you with resources like respite care or support groups
• Teaching strategies to help you focus on your personal and self-care needs

Managing caregiver burnout helps you provide better care and supports your mental health and well-being. 

How Can I Find Occupational Therapy Near Me?

Do you think your care recipient could benefit from occupational therapy services? Finding an occupational therapist can be simple if you know who to ask or where to look. 

• Ask for a referral from your care recipient’s doctor. If your care recipient is already working with a healthcare team, ask if there’s an occupational therapist available. 
• Do an online search for your state’s occupational therapy association. These are regulatory organizations that can help you find a qualified occupational therapist. Many have a button on their home page that says “find an OT” or “find a therapist”.
• Search by population, concern, and location. For example, search “pediatric occupational therapist + hand therapy + your state”. 

Looking for more information and resources that can make your life as a caregiver easier? Check if you have free access to Trualta. 

References

1. https://caot.ca/site/about/ot?nav=sidebar&banner=1 
2. https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot 
3. https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/practice/manage/presentation-resources/brochure/what-is-ot-brochure.pdf 
4. https://otontario.ca/manage-at-home/#:~:text=Support%20%2F%20consultation%20to%20family%20and%20caregivers&text=An%20OT%20can%20also%20help%20caregivers%20manage%20stress%20and%20prevent,dementia%20or%20mental%20health%20problems.
5. https://caot.ca/document/7831/SUPPORTING%20%20&%20EDUCATING%20CAREGIVERS.pdf 
6. https://www.nplhh.com/occupational-therapy-strategies-that-improve-functional-independence/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20foundational%20approaches,can%20make%20daily%20tasks%20easier.  
7. https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/articles/preventing-caregiver-burnout-5493 
8. https://www.njota.org/