Getting the right healthcare when you need it can make a huge difference, especially for seniors who want to stay in their own homes. Home healthcare, including occupational therapy, can help seniors stay independent, regain lost skills, and avoid injuries that could make daily life harder.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Since April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about how OT helps people stay independent. Occupational therapy focuses on making everyday tasks easier so people can take care of themselves and do the things they enjoy. These tasks fall into two main categories:
Everyday Basics (ADLs):
Getting dressed
Bathing
Using the bathroom
Moving in and out of bed or chairs
Eating
Taking care of personal hygiene (brushing teeth, washing face, etc.)
More Complex Tasks (IADLs):
Grocery shopping
Cleaning the house
Cooking meals
Paying bills
Getting around (driving or arranging transportation)
Keeping track of medications
We often don’t think twice about these tasks—until they become difficult. Losing strength, balance, or memory can make it harder to stay independent, and small struggles can become bigger problems without help.
How Occupational Therapy Helps Prevent Bigger Problems
Most seniors want to avoid moving into a nursing home, but staying at home takes some planning. Occupational therapy can step in before everyday tasks become too hard to manage.
If you’ve noticed that getting around is harder, you’re feeling more pain, or you’re relying on others more than before, it might be time to ask your primary care provider about occupational therapy. Getting help early can keep you stronger for longer and make daily life easier.
Signs That Occupational Therapy Could Help:
Trouble eating or drinking
Falling more often
Difficulty using your hands or gripping objects
Vision problems
Struggles with personal care tasks
Pain or stiffness
Poor balance or coordination
Wheelchair positioning issues
Less interest in hobbies and activities
Tremors or shaky hands
Getting Therapy at Home: A Simple, Convenient Option
One of the best parts about occupational therapy? You can do it right at home! A home-based occupational therapist can:
Check your home for safety risks and suggest helpful changes (like grab bars or shower benches)
Teach you how to use tools and techniques to stay independent
Help you build strength, improve balance, and keep up with daily routines
CaringEdge helps seniors stay independent. If you or a loved one could use extra support, contact us at info@caringedge.com. We’d love to chat about your goals and help you take the next step toward getting the care you need.
Remember to stock up on all things sweet this month for the trick-or-treaters, but even better, let’s celebrate the devoted professionals who help us move better, feel stronger, and live healthier—it’s Physical Therapy Month, too! Physical therapists play a critical role in improving the overall quality of life for people of all ages—especially seniors.
If exercise hasn’t been your thing for several years, it might be a good time to consider some. As we age, we lose muscle mass, and the less we move, the more we could lose—not just in strength but abilities, too! Without doing activities of some sort, we could end up more sedentary than we wish.
Ghosts and goblins aside, nothing is spookier than falling, getting injured, and losing the ability to care for our own needs! As we prepare for what Mother Nature might hand out this winter, here are some excellent thinking points about why it could be good to add more movement to your life:
Benefits of Staying Active:
Cut your risk of infections
Decrease your risk of falls
Drop your risk of anxiety & depression & reduce the severity of your symptoms
Eliminate unwanted medications from your list
Improve your quality of life
Increase your strength and endurance
Maintain your ability to be independent
Reduce your pain & risk of reinjuries
When you can move freely, your systems work better (heart, lungs, & digestion)
Physical Therapy Can Help
Contrary to a popular myth, you don’t have to be injured or have a history of falls BEFORE you speak with your doctor about physical therapy (PT). Life is much simpler if you can do PT before you get hurt or require surgery or healing time. Preventative treatment from PT could help you keep moving, and it could avoid injuries.
Physical therapy can help people by reducing pain when they move, making it easier to stay active. Walking with confidence is also easier when you don’t have to worry about falling. Additionally, life can feel more fulfilling when you can maintain your independence and do as much as possible independently without needing assistance.
Keep Your Independence
While some days it might sound nice to have a maid around to do all the housework and run our errands, that idea usually feels best if it’s our choice. If we can’t do something and rely on others to get by, it can affect us very differently—on an emotional level.
Everyone has their special process for housework, cooking, driving, etc. When we begin relying on that support because we feel like we don’t have choices due to injuries or pain, it can be hard to accept. No one does things like we do; we often take our abilities and freedom to make choices for granted. Being able to move freely when and how we want is truly priceless.
If you’re experiencing decreased strength, pain, or limitations in your abilities, add reaching out to CaringEdge to your list of to-dos. We offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies, and we may be able to help you right where you call home, making it convenient for you to get back to moving again or stay that way!
Contact us at info@caringedge.com. Let us help you explore your insurance and determine how to qualify for the strengthening treatment you need to stay healthy—our patients are our purpose!
Ahh, it’s almost time to tackle the fall to-do list. Have you made yours yet? Some lists are as simple as washing a few windows, whereas others might entail raking the yard, bagging leaves, leaves, and more leaves (the week after, more again).
As you prepare for your seasonal list, have you considered who can help? Do you need help? Are you SURE you don’t need help?
Using step ladders, hoisting heavy bags, and treating the blisters that always seem to come from holding a rake is often part of that to-do list, whether we intend them to be or not. When you make your list, consider having some first-aid relief on hand to care for what may come from seasonal chores. While you’re at it, have you made your annual check-ups to be sure you’re in tip-top shape to do everything you need to before the snowflakes fly?
Here are some helpful ideas to remember all the chores in and around your home and a few additional tips to stay healthy this winter:
Outside:
Be sure to have heating sources prepared (wood stacked conveniently or fuel refilled)
Turn off outdoor faucets
Be sure hoses are drained and tucked away neatly
Prepare your mowers, blowers, and weed whips for freezing weather
Rake or mulch the leaves in your yard
Clean your windows so you can enjoy the winter scenes
Clear out gutters
Cover the air conditioner
Deep-clean dryer vents
Inspect any electrical cords you may have to ensure they’re safe for use & not frayed
Install storm windows & doors
Clean your vehicle & put a winter emergency kit in the trunk
Inside:
Clean the fridge and freezer
Change the furnace filter
Change your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries
Be sure your fire extinguishers are easy to access and not expired
Clean your ducts/vents
Find & clean your winter gear (hats, gloves, boots, etc.)
While preparing your home inside and out is great, consider a shopping trip while the weather is nice. Some items may be bulky and inconvenient to lug around in shopping carts once the snow and slush arrive:
Staying ahead of medication refills/taking medications as prescribed
Did you know that outpatient therapy can be done BEFORE you have an injury? Yes, it’s true! If you’re having near misses, losing your balance, or feeling unsteady, outpatient therapy can help you regain strength and abilities. Therapies can also help you move and do tasks in a way that reduces your pain.
The best way to stay strong for the future is to keep moving. If moving is starting to be difficult or you’re having falls you are afraid to admit to your family, call CaringEdge. We can talk through what is needed to be approved for outpatient therapy. Doing therapy before you lose abilities entirely can do wonders for your future, and it can help you stay strong over the winter so you’re ready to plant your flowers in the spring!
We all await milestones in our younger years, like getting a driver’s license or graduating high school. Those are exciting times, but later in life, we can become overwhelmed or perhaps even dread what aging may have in store for us.
The good news is that aging can be enjoyable with the right daily support and healthcare. It’s all about prevention, and outpatient therapy is one of the best preventive measures.
Preventative Therapy
Many people think they have to be recovering from an illness or surgery to qualify, but thankfully, those are not the only reasons. You could be eligible for outpatient therapy if you’re feeling weak, losing balance, or having falls—or even close calls! Therapy can help you work to prevent a fall.
By avoiding a fall, you could be saving yourself from a serious setback. Injuries from falls can result in ER visits, hospitalizations, and nursing home stays. One fall can increase the risk of leaving the home where you’re most comfortable. A therapy evaluation can evaluate your balance and strength and determine if you qualify for outpatient therapy services.
Along with this evaluation, therapists may also visit your home to assess your surroundings and identify any risks that increase your chances of falling. They may recommend making changes to enhance access to areas of your home or small additions like grab bars to keep you safe.
Home Health Services
You may achieve a better outcome by combining home health services and outpatient therapy. Home health offers a registered nurse to visit your home to provide help according to your goals.
If you need education to manage a new diagnosis or an ongoing health condition such as diabetes, home health visits can help you prevent unwanted setbacks. Managing life-limiting health conditions can put significant demands on anyone. The travel time alone to pharmacies and clinics and navigating waiting rooms to get care and consultation can feel like a full-time job. Home health can add a layer of convenience to allow you time to rest and return to feeling better versus going into a clinic setting for every treatment.
From dietary education from a registered dietician to receiving IV fluids under your own roof, home health can be a helpful investment in your future. The more your health is managed or, better yet, stabilized, the less likely you will require frequent clinic and ER visits or hospitalizations.
Prepare For the Changing Seasons
As you prepare for the “ber” months this year (September, October, November, and December), consider what would help you stay well this winter. Cold days, snow, and ice can reduce activity levels. Instead of losing strength this season, think about how adding a home health service or two could help you to maintain or improve your abilities.
Connect with us if you think home health services could be right for you or a loved one. Simply reaching out to discuss concerns and needs is just that; it does not guarantee services, but talking through it can provide peace of mind to know if it might be time. We are also happy to help our patients explore insurance coverage to relieve any worries that home health services will cost too much.
Contact us at info@caringedge.com. We’re here to help those on the road of aging to have peace of mind!
Summer months are so enjoyable and precious that most people want to soak up every second of the beautiful rays. It’s important to make memories while the weather is nice, but having some sense of safety before spending time outside can help you enjoy the season!
Drink Up:
While summer happy hours abound, it’s a good idea to use moderation with sugary sweet teas or those with a little kick. Too much sugar, caffeine, or alcohol can put you at risk for some unwanted souvenirs this summer!
Caffeine might help you stay up to enjoy everything from sunrises to fireworks at night. However, add some water alongside your coffee cup to stay balanced, as caffeine can cause dehydration.
Opt for refreshing beverages with fresh fruits and garnishes, and go easy on the sugary ones or cocktails. No one needs a UTI from lots of sugar or to risk a fall because the only beverage option contains alcohol. These can be tasty, but consider drinking them in moderation and alongside a glass of high-quality H20 for the win!
Staying Sun Safe:
The sun can provide us with many good things, but too much can backfire and keep you stuck indoors the next day. Sunburns are nothing to mess with.
Keep the SPF 30 handy, along with a hat. A cool pair of shades complements any look! Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen if you’re in and out of the water or spending a marathon amount of time outside. Keep some moisturizer handy after your day of basking, too.
Don’t Let the Bugs Get the Best of You!
The downside to picnics can be the ants—it’s inevitable. Thankfully, many sprays and even more natural options are available to help keep the pests away. Here are a few ideas:
Mosquito-Repelling Granules: There are several options on the market, but “Mosquito Beater” has great natural properties that can keep bugs away from your lawn without the chemical smell.
Bug Zappers: These come in several sizes, including fun tennis rackets for kiddos or adventurous adults. They are especially handy for the mosquitos that invade your home!
Citronella Candles: These tend to have less chemical scent and can add some nice ambiance to any patio party. Just remember to keep the kiddos and pets away from the flame.
Thermacells:These devices are available as lanterns and table décor and can be clipped to your belt. Each Thermacell contains a fuel cell and a small sheet coated with an insecticide that heats up, creating an almost odorless barrier for bugs. While very handy and effective outside, the components for Thermacells must be re-ordered to remain bug-free all summer.
Bug Spray: Good old-fashioned bug spray to the rescue can work wonders while you’re enjoying an evening outside. Consider keeping an extra can in the car so you’re armed and ready for the skeeters everywhere you go.
Clothing: Depending on your color preferences, a few scarf options and colorful bracelets containing bug repellent are available. For those adventuring deep in the woods, there are mosquito net suits and hats to keep you off the menu for the mosquitos.
Bite Relief: If you get mosquito, gnat, or horsefly bites, consider having an itch remedy handy. From lotions and sprays to small sticks that fit nicely in your purse, there are a few ways to alleviate the irritation. Tea tree oil rollers can be quite effective if you like a natural option.
Don’t Get Ticked! Wood ticks can be teeny-tiny these days. Cover yourself and use repellent if you like hiking in the woods or tall grasses. After your day, take a shower or bath to help reduce the risk of a tick bite.
If you get a tick bite, try to identify the type of wood tick that bit you and when you may have been bitten so you can follow up with your medical provider to create a care plan. Those little ticks can cause big problems, from paralysis to flu-like symptoms, so awareness is important.
Stay Safe All Year!
While summer safety tips are nice for the season, what about the rest of the year? Could you use some help to keep your strength so you can keep enjoying an active lifestyle? Are you struggling with staying balanced and strong or managing your health?
If you or a loved one is aging and beginning to feel the effects, and you’re worried about maintaining your independence, CaringEdge can help! From outpatient therapies to home health services, we can add a layer of safety and independence that can last throughout the year, and we can come to YOU. Connect with us at info@caringedge.com.
May is National Walking Month. It seems like a fitting time to celebrate because it’s also Nurse’s Month, and no one gets their daily steps in like a nurse on the go!
Getting plenty of exercise and hitting step goals can seem easy while we’re feeling our best, but as we age, we can slow down, and we may not even realize it. Decreased movement can creep up and become problematic after retirement or reducing our workload. While not everyone is headed out to do a marathon, regular walking is a great way to maintain mobility, strength, and long-term independence.
Benefits of Walking:
Strengthens bones and muscles
Reduces stress
Enhances energy
Fortifies the immune system
Improves sleep quality
Brightens your mood, reduces anxiety, and improves depression
Unfortunately, as we age, if we don’t move it, we lose it, so it’s best to address mobility issues as soon as possible. If you are experiencing barriers to everyday movement like walking, don’t delay speaking with your medical team.
Whether you have discomfort when you move around or you’ve slowed down a bit, your doctor may be able to find a root cause for your issues. They may also be able to order physical or occupational therapies.
Outpatient therapists can teach you how to move in a way that limits your pain and maximizes your independence. They can also help you find ways to move to decrease your risk of falling.
Lastly, if you need mobility aids such as a cane or walker, outpatient therapists can help you find safe options. Canes and walkers are not one-size-fits-all. Sure, they’re available at medical supply shops, but they are all different, and some devices could cause harm if they’re not the right size for your needs. Outpatient therapists can help you find the best devices and teach you how to use them so you can enjoy moving again!
How to Make Walking Fun:
Speak with your doctor about any discomfort when you walk to learn the root cause before you begin.
Find a walking partner (join a group or think about starting one).
Scope out a beautiful place to walk, such as an established path at a local park or a trail near lakes and rivers.
If the outdoors isn’t safe for you, consider walking at your local shopping mall during quieter times, or find out if your local schools allow hallway walking.
Wear bright, easily visible colors.
Keep your hands open to catch yourself if you have a fall (avoid holding phones or water bottles).
Watch the ground and everything around you for uneven ground or potential obstacles that could trip you up.
Carry a light bag such as a waist pack or backpack to keep a few essentials handy and your hands free.
Stay hydrated.
Wear comfortable shoes with plenty of grip.
Dress for the weather.
Start small and increase your daily steps/distance as you gain confidence and ability.
If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.―Hippocrates
If you’re interested in how CaringEdge’s outpatient therapists can help you get back on your feet, contact us at info@caringedge.com.
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