Steve wants to contribute.

Over the past few years, it has become harder for me to get around town and do everything I want to. The arthritis in both my knees and hands hurts a lot on some days, and it really slows down or restricts how much I can get done around the house, or for fun. My favourite activity is painting. I have a big easel and all my paints in the extra room upstairs although it’s getting harder to go up and down the stairs and I can’t hold the brush for as long anymore. I want to teach painting at the local senior’s centre, as a volunteer, but I don’t drive and am not sure how I’d get there. Painting gives me so much pleasure, I would like others to have the chance to try it out.

Steve needs an OT.

OLDER ADULTS are the fastest-growing sector of our Canadian population, with over 6.5 million people aged 65 and older¹. A large majority of older adults live in private residences and while they report their health as very good or excellent, the incidence of chronic illness increases with age, and one in ten people aged 75 and older require assistance with basic activities of daily living. Older adults play key roles in communities. Such roles may include volunteering, working, sharing knowledge and experiences, and caregiving. These occupations need to be supported by communities and societies to ensure that environments are inclusive, accessible and safe, enabling older adults to live their lives to the fullest.

The occupational therapist helped Steve to:

• Make small changes to his home environment to increase his well-being. Create a painting area on the main floor of Steve’s house to reduce his need to use the stairs. Replace his paint tubes with flip-top containers to reduce the stress on Steve’s hands from squeezing paint tubes.

• Pursue a volunteer position at his local senior’s centre. Set a goal to apply as a painting teacher. Learn how to use his cell phone, to take pictures of his artwork and to set up a schedule and contacts. Select a foldable cart to transport his supplies to and from the centre.

• Locate transportation services for seniors available in his city. Budget for a senior citizen’s transit pass.

• Connect with local, affordable and reliable services. Make a list of house cleaning, repair, meal and grocery delivery services, so Steve can preserve his energy for activities that he enjoys most.

• Recognize both his abilities and limitations. As Steve identified that his arthritis pain was worse in the mornings, schedule outings for later in the morning or in the afternoon. And, to better manage his fatigue, organize his volunteering schedule for every other day.

Because of occupational therapy, I can share my love of painting!

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) provides a searchable national directory of occupational therapists for all Canadians to find the occupational therapy services they need.

Occupational therapy. Making the everyday possible.