Menu
After an injury or fall, your doctor may encourage you to attend physical or occupational therapy. But whatās the difference? And how do you know which type of therapy will be most beneficial to you?
While these methods of rehabilitative care do overlap in terms of their overall mission and goals, there are some key differences youāll want to know, too. Weāre here to shed light on what you can expect when working with either type of specialist.
If you or a loved one is having a tough time getting around, you may need a physical therapist (PT). Physical therapists are considered āmotion experts.ā They work with patients after an injury or illness to reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve balance. A PT can also help you learn how to maintain fitness and prevent conditions from worsening.
A physical therapist can help older adults with:
To accomplish this, a physical therapist will use different exercises and stretches. They may also use massage and applications of hot and cold packs. Whatās more, the National Council On Aging (NCOA) explains that a PT can assist patients with developing preventative strategies to lower injury risk.
Whereas physical therapy is focused on movement, occupational therapy (OT) takes a more āholisticā approach. It seeks not only to improve a patientās physical limitations, but their social and emotional well-being as well.
People are sometimes confused by the term āoccupationā in relation to therapy. When we refer to a patientās occupation, however, weāre not just talking about employment. Instead, the term encompasses all of a personās roles: parent, driver, teacher, chef extraordinaire, and more.
The goal of occupational therapy is to restore a patientās ability to perform the duties essential to each of these roles.
Occupational therapy might be right for you if an accident or health condition has made it difficult to carry out your day-to-day activities. It can help with tasks like dressing, showering, and feeding yourself. OT can be instrumental for folks looking to age in place, and it lowers oneās risk of being hospitalized. Ultimately, occupational therapy helps older adults live a more independent life, according to The American Occupational Therapy Association.
1. Fall Prevention: An occupational therapist can assess a patientās home environment, physical ability, cognition, and vision to determine fall risk and implement changes that will prevent an injury. They may identify home modifications that make living at home safer, and they can also focus on certain exercises to boost your muscle strength.
2. Driving: Getting older doesnāt always mean you need to turn in your keys for good. An occupational therapist who specializes in driving rehabilitation may be able to help. They can evaluate your driving skills, make safety recommendations, and, if necessary, provide training in adaptive driving equipment.
3. Vision: Occupational therapy can help older adults with vision impairment learn alternative ways to do things. They may also suggest practical home changes, such as enhanced lighting or clutter removal, to help a person resume their normal life.
4. Recovery After Stroke: Occupational therapists can help stroke survivors overcome physical challenges, emotional problems like depression or anxiety, and problems with vision, memory, and sensation.
5. Alzheimerās Disease and Related Cognitive Conditions: An OT can create a safer and more functional home environment for people with Alzheimerās. An occupational therapist can also lend caretakers support with guidance on establishing routines that simplify caretaking.
As you can see, physical and occupational therapy share many of the same goals and treat similar patients. The main difference between the two lies in their scope: While PT works on mobility, OT helps a person function in all dimensions of their life.
So when do you need PT, and when do you need OT? That will depend on your condition and specific goals. If getting around is painful or difficult, attending physical therapy is probably in your best interest. If, on the other hand, youāre struggling to perform everyday duties like meal prep or showering, occupational therapy will be the way to go.
If you think you might benefit from working with either a physical or occupational therapist, your healthcare provider can point you in the right direction. Some circumstances will call for both, in which case your PT and OT may work together to create a comprehensive therapeutic plan.
Physical and occupational therapists often work in similar settings, such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. You might also work with a PT at a fitness center, or with an OT at a mental health facility.
When your loved one joins the Provision Living family, we are committed to helping them live life on their own terms. Thatās why we partner with Fox Rehabilitation Services as part of our daily care program. FOX is proud and privileged to provide the highest quality physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services to the older adult community.
To see how our community helps residents reclaim their independence, speak to one of our care consultants today.
Please note: This article is for educational purposes only. If you have any questions about your health, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
