Independence gives satisfaction. But for millions of older adults, living on their own is becoming increasingly difficult.
Less movement, constant pain, or a degenerative illness can make it hard for older adults to take care of themselves. And a person’s mental health is affected when their independence is in danger.
The World Health Organization says that 15% of older adults aged 60 and above around the world have a mental health disorder.
Depression is the most common of these disorders. Depression in older people is both underdiagnosed and undertreated, and if nothing is done, the results can be very dangerous.
Older adults can learn how to keep their independence and improve their mental health as a whole by taking part in an occupational therapy program.
Having a reason to live is good for your mental health
A study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that older adults who were able to do things on their own were more likely to have a sense of purpose in their lives.
Having a purposeful life is all about setting goals that are important to you and taking the steps you need to reach them.
This gives people a sense of accomplishment and self-worth, which not only lowers the risk of depression but has also been shown to slow the memory loss and mood changes that come with dementia.
Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Mental Health
Occupational therapists can help older adults suffering from different illnesses or conditions live better lives. It is important that you try occupational therapy if you suffer from one or more of the following:
1. Depression
People with depression may not have the motivation or resources to do things that are important to them. An occupational therapist helps patients set goals and organize their lives in a way that helps them reach those goals.
2. Injury
If you’ve recently had surgery or have been injured in some other way, occupational therapy can be an important part of your recovery plan.
Occupational therapy is different from physical therapy in that it doesn’t treat the injury directly. Instead, it takes a more holistic approach to healing and focuses on helping patients reach their goals despite their physical limitations.
3. Dementia
Even though brain diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia that get worse over time can’t be cured, occupational therapy can slow down memory loss and help older people stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.
Call Us Now For Occupational Therapy Services
EQC Occupational Therapy can help if you or someone you care about needs occupational therapy.
Our skilled and caring therapists can help you set important goals and live as independently and well as possible.
We provide some of the best occupational therapy in Portland, OR. For each of our patients, we make a unique treatment plan that puts their safety, comfort, and health first.
Give us a call today to learn more about our occupational therapy service and how it can help you.
