Home Health & Hospice Week

Research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry tested an occupational therapy home intervention, the Tailored Activity Program (TAP), which systematically evaluates and tailors activities to individual capabilities and trains families in setting up and using activities in daily care. TAP reduced behaviors that trigger nursing home placement and the amount of time families spent supervising and providing care, the American Occupational Therapy Association says in a release.

"Our research shows that occupational therapists play a critical role in the care of individuals with dementia and their family caregivers," said Laura N. Gitlin, director of the Jefferson Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health and professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. "Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely qualified to evaluate individual capabilities; engage individuals with dementia in activities; help families learn specific communication,task and environmental simplification strategies, and to take care of themselves."

"Occupational therapists can help individuals and their families promote or maximize independence,safety, and function," says AOTA's Laurel Cargill Radley.

You may facilitate your patients staying at home longer by passing on these AOTA recommendations for adult caregivers:

1. Join a therapy or discussion group for caregivers of older adults.

2. Share the responsibility of caring for an older adult.

3. Ask others for help.

4. Develop a schedule that distributes caregiving responsibility.

5. Create moments of joy throughout the day by participating in pleasurable activities.