FOX occupational therapists focus on daily tasks, the routines and roles that fill up a person’s day and give meaning to who we are as individuals. Tasks that were once effortless can become challenging for older adult patients. FOX occupational therapists critically assess their patient’s tasks, the occupations of their life, and create a customized treatment plan to achieve the patient-specific goals.
FOX occupational therapists work to improve our patients’ process of getting up and ready for the day in the morning (Activities of Daily Living), and all the tasks that come afterward (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) that are part of the independent lifestyle. This full lifestyle is shown to improve health and quality of life in people with chronic disease. (Hand et al., 2011)
Patients with dementia benefit from occupational therapy in a way that improves functionality enough to reduce a caregivers’ responsibilities. (Graff et al., 2006)
One study concluded that healthy lifestyle changes, along with involvement in meaningful occupations, produced measurably lower rates in depression and improved satisfaction with life. (Waite, 2011)
Occupational therapy programs feature home safety screening, home modifications, education, assistive technology, exercise to reduce fall risk and fear of falling, and nursing home admissions, as well as increase independence. (Chase et al., 2010)
