If one or both of your parents are struggling to manage daily tasks at home, there are steps you can take to help them maintain their independence. As abilities diminish during the aging process, families and other caregivers must often help the older person get the assistance needed to be independent and live safely at home.
An occupational therapist can work with your loved one and:
• Provide an evaluation in your parent’s home to assess skills, abilities, and safety.
• Based on that evaluation, make recommendations to increase independence and safety
• Make recommendations for home modifications. This may include installing adaptive equipment such as grab bars or stair lifts, lowering counter heights, adding railings, and replacing doorknobs with lever style handles.
• Provide training on adaptive equipment and address any concerns to ensure it will be used.
• Help with budgets, grocery shopping lists, and make connections to community support as needed.
To learn more about having an occupational therapist help your parent stay in his or her home, ask their healthcare provider for a referral.