Role of the occupational therapist in old stage

Occupational Therapy is a profession that is responsible for facilitating and improve

people's performance in their daily activities, be movements activities of self-maintenance,
work, study, sports, play or free time, intervenes with people from any age group who are
in a situation of illness, disability or social vulnerability, in different environments
according to the reality of each individual or group in question, influencing in the health,
individual well-being and significance of each person.
According to Farrera R (2000) and Rodriguez (2009), geriatrics is a relatively young
science, dedicated to determining the preventive, therapeutic and social aspects of the
elderly in health or illness, The occupational therapist and his role with geriatric patients
focuses on:
● Increase biosocial balance.
● Increase the degree of independence in daily basic activity, reduce disabilities
● and teach how to use residual capacities.
● Increase joint mobility and muscle strength.
● Reduce feelings of disability.
● Improve Life Quality. (Rodríguez Díaz, O. 2009)
● Prescribe technical aids
● Sensory stimulation
● Ergotherapy
Example:
Charles is an adult over 75 years old; He has suffered five vascular brain accidents, due to
which his motor and sensory functions are impaired.
As a consequence Charles has hempirasia in his left body, He needs support from his
children to bathe, dress, and walk. He has difficulties in balance and strength. Additionally,
Charle’s routines are unstructured, it is difficult for him to carry out activities of interest;
this causing which is going into depressive episodes
The intervention from Occupational Therapy will focus on:
1. Promote gross motor functions, functional and integral patterns; to improve
autonomy in self-care activities.
2. Strengthen gait pattern through proprioceptive sensory stimuli.
3. Carry out ergotherapy activities in which the user can feel productive
4. Carry out activities of interest which strengthen emotional skills.
5. Make attachments in brushes, spoons or other elements, which facilitate
independent self-care activities.
Biography
1. Carreño Maria E, Cañate Santiago, Delgado Wilder.2016. The occupational
therapist and her role with geriatric patients. Vol 2 No.4. Ecuador.
2. Masera Marta, Pavon Javier.2013. The occupational therapist and her role with
geriatric patients. Vol 10 Num 18.Coruña España.