Talia is worried.

 

My name is Talia. My dad, Bernhard, is in hospital after falling and breaking his hip. I don’t think he sees that well anymore, and I’ve seen him, more than once, trip over the clutter he has in his house – his ‘keepsakes’ as he calls them. I’ve suggested we put some of his collections in boxes, but he’s stubborn. This most recent fall has changed things, as it has set him back both physically and mentally. He seems resigned and tired. I’m afraid he isn’t going to work hard at his exercises and may have lost the confidence to manage on his own.

Talia’s dad needs an OT.

FALLS are the most common preventable injury in Canada. Approximately one third of adults 65 years+ and half of adults 80 years+ fall at least once per year1.Older adults often fall due to tripping or stumbling while doing household chores. Occupational therapists help clients interact safely with their home environments. HOME ADAPTATIONS increase safety and independence and allow elders to live safely in their homes.

The occupational therapist helped Talia’s dad to:

  • Talk about what everyday activities are important to him. Identify ways to get back to doing those things, adjusting for his abilities. For example, the OT recommended a cane and taught him how to use it for long walks outdoors.The OT also suggested calling a friend to walk with him to the local coffee shop.

  • Develop a daily schedule of activities to gradually improve his physical fitness. This will also help his confidence. Together, the OT and Talia’s dad devised a routine that includes short daily walks.

  • Assess his current setup at home. The OT recommended safety improvements to avoid another fall, such as removing clutter, installing secure railings on steps and adding brighter lights.

  • Start a special keepsake project with his family. He sorted, packaged and labelled his collections with his children and grandchildren, to share his legacy.

  • Recognize the importance of regular eye examinations. Poor eyesight was a problem noted during the keepsake project. The OT helped Dad make an appointment with an eye doctor. He looked forward to picking out new glasses, so he wouldn’t miss any project details.

Because of occupational therapy, I know Dad will be okay.

1 Inouye, S. K., Brown, C. J., & Tinetti, M. E. (2009). Medicare nonpayment, hospital falls, and unintended consequences. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(23), 2390.

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.