A female caregiver in scrubs sits beside a senior woman in an armchair, watching as the woman completes a crossword puzzle in a book.

How Occupational Therapy Helps Seniors in Utah

ByMonument Health Group
A female caregiver in scrubs sits beside a senior woman in an armchair, watching as the woman completes a crossword puzzle in a book.

Occupational therapy (OT) is a rehabilitation therapy for the following individuals:

  • Children, teens, or adults recovering from illness or injury.
  • Individuals with disabilities.
  • Persons dealing with the effects of aging.

There is a greater risk that older adults will suffer from chronic health conditions and injuries. Falls and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common and can affect an older person’s movements. Bone loss can cause muscle loss, which also affects an older person’s motor skills. 

Older adults benefit from occupational therapy for seniors because it helps them regain or maintain their fine motor skills, enables them to remain independent, aids in their recovery from injuries and illnesses, and helps them adapt to the aging process.

To understand the value of occupational therapy for older adults, it is helpful to recognize the health challenges that older adults face, how OT services can assist them, the process of accessing OT, and the reasons why Utah needs occupational therapy services for seniors. 

Learn about the occupational therapy services provided by Monument Health Group today.

What Is Occupational Therapy for Seniors? 

Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who evaluate individuals and develop treatment plans designed to help them perform daily living tasks. 

Daily living tasks include the following:

  • Bathing
  • Brushing teeth
  • Dressing
  • Eating
  • Moving from surface to surface (transferring)
  • Using the bathroom

Goals for older adults receiving OT include the following:

  • The ability to perform routine daily tasks independently.
  • The ability to perform daily living tasks safely.

Occupational therapy for older adults helps seniors maintain as much independence as possible. For some, this may mean regaining or maintaining their ability to perform routine tasks independently. For others, it may mean regaining or retaining some independence, while needing assistance with other tasks.

Occupational therapy for seniors focuses on motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Initially, this may sound comparable to physical therapy (PT), but there are some key distinctions:

  • Occupational therapy primarily focuses on fine motor skills.
  • Occupational therapy’s goal is to enable individuals to perform routine daily tasks, such as buttoning shirts.
  • Physical therapy primarily focuses on gross motor skills, balance, and pain management.

Both OT and PT may involve learning how to use assistive devices.

Common Challenges Seniors Face That OT Addresses

Occupational therapy can help reduce or eliminate symptoms of many health issues affecting older adults, including the following:

  • Cognitive challenges:
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Early dementia
  • Executive dysfunction (difficulty organizing tasks)
  • Loss of memory
  • Physical health issues:
  • Arthritis
  • Balance issues
  • Mobility issues
  • Osteoporosis
  • Poor vision
  • Stroke recovery

Occupational therapy can also help address issues stemming from the emotional and social challenges associated with aging, including the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Isolation
  • Loneliness

Key Services Occupational Therapists Provide to Seniors

Occupational therapists assess their patients for health concerns and create individualized treatment plans, ensuring each person receives a customized program that addresses their specific health issues and sets appropriate long-term goals. 

These treatment plans typically involve occupational therapists teaching individuals how to perform different exercises to help them improve their muscle strength and hand-eye coordination. As treatment progresses, occupational therapists assess the individual’s progress and modify or add exercises to their plan.

Other ways occupational therapists help older adults may include the following:

  • Address cognitive challenges: Occupational therapists may introduce patients to memory aids and help them develop routines, reducing the impact of memory loss and mitigating issues with executive dysfunction.
  • Assessing home environments for safety risks: The occupational therapist may recommend installing grab bars and additional lighting to help the individual live independently without a high risk of fall-related injuries. When necessary, an occupational therapist may also evaluate the individual’s work environment and identify ways to mitigate safety risks. 
  • Assistance with daily living tasks: Occupational therapists do not typically provide daily assistance with daily living tasks, such as dressing or grooming. However, an occupational therapist may assist a patient as part of their assessment when developing a treatment plan and may assess their ability to perform daily living tasks during treatment to evaluate progress.
  • Teaching individuals to use assistive devices or adaptive techniques to perform various tasks: Occupational therapists teach individuals to use assistive devices, including the following:
  • Adaptive utensils
  • Dressing aids
  • Hearing aids
  • Magnifiers
  • Screen readers
  • Walkers
  • Wheelchairs

Occupational therapists also teach individuals adaptive techniques to enable them to complete daily tasks independently.

Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Seniors 

OT provides cognitive, emotional, physical, and social benefits for older adults. Some of the benefits include the following:

  • Decreased risk of falls.
  • Decreased risk of hospital readmission from injuries.
  • Improved recovery from strokes and other health issues.
  • Increased confidence.
  • Increased independence.
  • Reducing or eliminating mental health issues, such as depression.

OT also benefits older adults by improving their quality of life. Retaining their independence and ability to engage in preferred activities enables them to continue enjoying those activities. 

Occupational therapists also provide ongoing support for older individuals by teaching caregivers and family members adaptive techniques, and how to use assistive devices, enabling them to provide support between OT sessions. 

Why It Matters in Utah 

Older individuals in Utah may access OT services through the following:

  • Assisted living facilities
  • Community-based programs or services
  • In-home care
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Skilled nursing facilities

Utah has a rapidly aging population. During the ten years beginning in 2010, the number of people in Utah over the age of 64 increased by 53%, considerably higher than the national increase of 39%. 

In addition to the significant increase in older adults in the state, Utah’s geography compounds the challenges of providing OT services in the following ways:

  • Access to in-home support is limited in rural areas.
  • Utah’s elevation slows recovery times and reduces energy levels.

Utah is also renowned for its outdoor activities and independent lifestyle. An older adult who is unable to enjoy their preferred outdoor activities or live independently may struggle with depression and frustration because of their health needs.

How To Access Occupational Therapy in Utah

Insurance typically covers the cost of OT treatment if it is a medical requirement and the patient has a referral from an appropriate licensed healthcare professional. Older individuals in Utah may receive a referral from one of the following:

  • Hospital physician
  • Primary care physician

The cost of OT may be covered by the following:

  • Medicaid
  • Medicare Part B
  • Private insurance

Individuals needing OT can contact in-home care providers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and health clinics to locate OT services in their area.  

Incorporating OT in a Holistic Senior Care Plan 

Occupational therapy can alleviate some of the symptoms of health issues that often affect older adults, helping them maintain their independence.

Developing a holistic senior care plan that includes OT is an effective way for families to support their older loved ones.

Monument Health Group offers occupational therapy as part of our comprehensive treatment program. Our OT services enable patients to regain their dignity and independence, allowing them to enjoy their golden years. 

Contact Monument Health Group today to learn how we provide older adults with occupational therapy.

Sources:

Common Injuries as We Age. (2024). 

Occupational Therapists: What Occupational Therapists Do. (2025).

Prior, H. (2023). Insight: Explosive Growth in Utah’s 65 and Older Population.