The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Falls Prevention
Occupational therapists in falls prevention
Generally, the role of occupational therapists in falls prevention among elderly people, I think, could be very broad and significant. The elderly people can receive occupational therapy services for falls prevention in a variety of settings, such as their own houses, rehabilitation centres, acute care hospitals and nursing homes.
Occupational therapy practitioners working in home environment have a unique opportunity to explore the home hazards and evaluate the individuals for limitations that contribute to falls. They usually start with creating a fall prevention plan by discussing the clients’ typical and desired daily activities. To understand clients’ capabilities, the practitioner would
observe the client to perform some typical occupations, such as climbing stairs or getting in and out of the bathtub. Recommendations often include a combination of interventions that target improving physical abilities to safely perform daily tasks, modifying the potential home hazards, and changing activity patterns or behaviours.
In addition to direct care for old people, occupational therapists can assist in falls prevention on a larger scale through consultation to staff of community centers, nursing homes, and public environments. Identifying environmental factors that contribute to falls and implementing the occupational therapy recommendations to remove these elements can improve safety and reduce health care costs while enhancing the participation of older adults in those communities (Leland, Elliott, O’Malley & Murphy, 2012).
References
Leland, N. E., Elliott, S. J., O 'Malley, L., & Murphy, S. L. (2012). Occupational therapy in fall prevention: current evidence and future directions. American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 66(2), 149.
Peterson, E. W., Finlayson, M., Elliott, S. J., Painter, J. A., & Clemson, L. (2012). Unprecedented opportunities in fall prevention for occupational therapy practitioners. American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 66(2), 127.
Generally, the role of occupational therapists in falls prevention among elderly people, I think, could be very broad and significant. The elderly people can receive occupational therapy services for falls prevention in a variety of settings, such as their own houses, rehabilitation centres, acute care hospitals and nursing homes.
Occupational therapy practitioners working in home environment have a unique opportunity to explore the home hazards and evaluate the individuals for limitations that contribute to falls. They usually start with creating a fall prevention plan by discussing the clients’ typical and desired daily activities. To understand clients’ capabilities, the practitioner would
observe the client to perform some typical occupations, such as climbing stairs or getting in and out of the bathtub. Recommendations often include a combination of interventions that target improving physical abilities to safely perform daily tasks, modifying the potential home hazards, and changing activity patterns or behaviours.
In addition to direct care for old people, occupational therapists can assist in falls prevention on a larger scale through consultation to staff of community centers, nursing homes, and public environments. Identifying environmental factors that contribute to falls and implementing the occupational therapy recommendations to remove these elements can improve safety and reduce health care costs while enhancing the participation of older adults in those communities (Leland, Elliott, O’Malley & Murphy, 2012).
References
Leland, N. E., Elliott, S. J., O 'Malley, L., & Murphy, S. L. (2012). Occupational therapy in fall prevention: current evidence and future directions. American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 66(2), 149.
Peterson, E. W., Finlayson, M., Elliott, S. J., Painter, J. A., & Clemson, L. (2012). Unprecedented opportunities in fall prevention for occupational therapy practitioners. American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 66(2), 127.