Written by Mike Price, OT
Occupational therapy is a unique, well-established mode of medical treatment calculated to help people of all ages live more independent, safe, and productive lives. Through a holistic approach, this therapy focuses primarily on the improvement of the day-to-day life skills (or ‘occupations’) of each patient. Occupational therapists (OTs) consider all the needs of each person to determine everything required to enable the best quality of life.
OTs work with the injured, disabled, and elderly, assisting with cognitive and physical impairments by incorporating meaningful activities to encourage participation in everyday life. They help patients with rehabilitation and adaptation, determining the methods, practices, and equipment that will best serve each patient and their specific requirements.
Although there are multiple areas of specific study within the occupational therapy field, with highly specialized certifications, the four main OT areas that The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers board certifications for physical rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
Physical rehabilitation (BCPR certification) - Unlike physical therapy, that focuses on biomechanics, physical rehab occupational therapy facilitates optimal occupational engagement for the patient through the design and implementation of evidence-based, contextually relevant, and client-centered physical rehab interventions. OTs who are physical rehab specialists may work in a wide variety of settings including schools, hospitals, outpatient rehab centers, in-home healthcare, and skilled nursing and long-term care facilities.
Mental health (BCMH certification) - The mental health OT specialty incorporates wellness and prevention plans for patients to help with emotional control, task-planning, organizing, decision-making, and problem-solving. They help determine the factors and effects of the interaction between relevant conditions and lifespan issues that affect occupational performance. OTs who are mental health specialists often find careers in both hospital and home-care settings.
Pediatrics (BCP certification) - Pediatric OT specialists work with children to help them succeed with their many occupations, including playing, socializing, and learning. Specific services include working with mental or physical disabilities, enhancing functional skills for children with sensory processing disorders, and other daily living tasks, such as walking, crawling, feeding, and bathing. Occupational therapists with a pediatric specialty may further their careers in schools, hospitals, in-home healthcare, and outpatient rehabilitation centers.
Geriatrics (BCG certification) - Also referred to as gerontology, geriatric OTs work with elderly people in a variety of settings, including their homes, workplaces, facilities, or communities. This discipline manifests in multiple ways to assist and covers a wide range of needs, such as coping with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, recovering from hip replacement, fall prevention, coping with low vision, stroke recovery, living with arthritis, and driving safety. OTs with this specialty often find employment in hospitals, skilled nursing, and long-term care facilities, in-home healthcare, and outpatient rehabilitation centers.
The employment projections for the field of occupational therapy is estimated to grow anywhere between 18 to 29 percent, a rate much higher than the national average for all occupations. Additionally, as a significant portion of the U.S. population grows older, there will be approximately 71.5 million people aged 65 or older by the year 2030. Geriatric OT is often the highest-paying occupational therapy specialty, especially as demand is increasing.
As opportunities for careers in geriatrics surges, there has never been a better time to specialize as a geriatric occupational therapist. And with 87 percent of seniors reporting that they plan to age in place in their own homes, the need for geriatric OT expertise in home modification/accessibility and adaptive equipment is greater than ever. Another certification available for OTs who want to work with the elderly staying in their own homes is the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation (CAPS).
Medicare has also invested in the health of our senior communities with their newer billing codes for chronic care management (CCM). Designed to include non-office visit services for people living with at least two chronic medical conditions expected to last for a year or more, these codes are intended to incentivize healthcare providers like geriatric OTs to offer improved coordinated care for older adults living with multiple chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, COPD, diabetes, and more.
Although the employment market for geriatric occupational therapy jobs is growing quickly, it is still crucial that OT students getting into this field acquire the multiple skills necessary to stand out from the general OT graduate crowd. The most important ways to do this include:
Understanding the goals and challenges of the aging population - Working with older adults presents unique challenges that this overall demographic tends to struggle with. Loss of memory, low vision, hearing loss, and mobility impairments are common among the elderly, and the best geriatric OTs acquire the knowledge they need to effectively work with seniors to adapt their environment to accommodate these aging issues and keep them safe. With an overwhelming majority of seniors planning to age in place in their own home, geriatric OT specialists can help them meet these goals and remain independent for as long as possible.
Home accessibility consultations - Geriatric OTs often provide in-home consultations to determine both short and long term recommendations for increasing safety, accessibility, and functionality for their elderly clients. These consultations help ascertain inherent risks within the home, along with the specific needs for modifications and equipment. OTs who provide these may also want to obtain the specialty certification form the AOTA for Environmental Modification (SCEM). Geriatric OT specialists can also join the Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance (HMOTA), an organization of OTs throughout the U.S. that specializes in home modifications, technology, safety, products, design, and fall prevention.
The ability to recommend and source innovative aging in place products - Knowing what types of adaptive devices, aids, and equipment are available to support aging in place is crucial to a successful geriatric OT specialist, as is finding a reputable, quality supplier for procurement. Whether you’re ordering the products or recommending them to your clients, your equipment source should provide a wide selection of affordable medical and rehabilitation products from esteemed and trusted manufacturers, offer friendly and experienced customer service, and have a good return policy. Adaptive equipment and independent living aids fulfill a very important aspect of successful aging in place.
Optimizing the home environment also optimizes the mental, emotional, and physical health and safety of the senior aging in place. Home modifications enable the elderly to age in place in their own home where they feel the most comfortable, making the home safer and enhancing well-being.
Adaptive changes to the living space not only increases the safe usage and accessibility of the space itself but also enhances the safe mobility, independence, health, and freedom of the senior living there. Learn more about tips for preparing the home for aging in place here.
While it can initially seem overwhelming, the vast assortment of medical devices and adaptive aids available in today’s innovative world ensures that every single unique need is met. Although they have much in common, seniors aging in place at home, those living in long-term care facilities or assisted living communities, and seniors with full or part-time caregivers all present some different requirements for their supportive equipment needs.
Adaptive Equipment - As a catch-all term to encompass a wide range of products, adaptive equipment often refers to patient lifts and wheelchairs for adaptive mobility, along with assistive listening devices to amplify hearing, magnifying lamps to assist with low vision, kitchen gadgets for simpler meal preparation, and alerting devices such as medical alerts and door alarms.
Rollators - Also called rolling walkers, rollators provide walking support that’s easier to maneuver for seniors with upper body weakness who may have trouble with lifting a non-wheeled walker. Like pushing a shopping cart, rollators offer great, lightweight support, even on uneven surfaces, and many even have seats for when the user tires.
Electric Scooters - These popular mobility aids are powered to help seniors access both indoor and outdoor environments with ease. Typically easier to maneuver than power wheelchairs, mobility scooters feature simple controls for effortless operation, making them well-suited for seniors with manual or upper body impairments.
Bed Mobility - Ensuring accessibility and safety, there are several types of devices and equipment that can help with bed mobility. Adjustable hospital beds and pressure-relieving adaptive sleep surfaces ensure proper support, while bed rails and assistive sit-to-stand supports facilitate safe entry and exit. Other types of bed mobility products include fall mats to cushion next to the bed, straps and handles to help positioning within the bed, and overbed tables to keep personal items within reach, providing a convenient surface for multiple tasks.
Grab Bars - As one of the most affordable home modifications for aging in place, grab bars are also one of the most important. Available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, they provide a secure handhold for the elderly, and can be placed anywhere they’re needed, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. They offer stable support for balance, and for sit-to-stand maneuvers.
Bathroom Safety - As the most dangerous room in the house, most falls, especially for older adults, happen in the bathroom. Installing grab bars, handrails, toilet seat risers, and non-skid mats will help seniors avoid falls. In addition, specially designed shower pans and step-in shower enclosures with textured flooring and low thresholds provide important home modifications to enhance bathroom safety.
Functional Exercise - Utilize resistance bands, foam rolls, therapy balls, slant boards, and more to provide functional exercise for your geriatric clients. Gentle yet effective movement keeps aging adults healthier and happier, more flexible, and reduces the risk of falls and overexertion injuries. Geriatric OTs often work in conjunction with physical therapists to determine the best exercise plan for their clients.
Lifts - Stairlifts and platform lifts are more extensive home modifications that provide exceptional mobility assistance for seniors aging in place at home. Stairlifts are typically used indoors to transport users from one level of the house to another, while vertical platform lifts are usually placed on the outside of the home. Both come in models that accommodate wheelchair users and their chairs.
Daily Living Aids - Encompassing a wide array of adaptive equipment, daily living aids (DLA) include any kind of device that helps people who are elderly or disabled to accomplish everyday activities and tasks. Also known as aids for daily living (ADL) and independent living aids (ILA), these adaptive devices help seniors to become more independent with personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, toileting, dressing, cooking, and eating.
Ramps - For aging adults who use wheelchairs, scooters, or power chairs, the installation of a wheelchair ramp is highly recommended as a common home modification for aging in place. Threshold ramps should also be installed within the home to provide a smooth transition for uneven or raised thresholds between doorways and flooring for users with rollators, walkers, and other mobility devices. Both kinds of ramps greatly heighten safety and help prevent injuries and falls.
Therapeutic Modalities - Specific therapeutic modalities abound for senior lifestyle or pain management. Geriatric OT specialists can use or recommend various therapeutic devices to help their patients with specific issues. Light therapy for mood disorders, SAD, skin problems, and muscle pain, TENS and NMES for neuromuscular and other types of pain, compression for lymphedema and other circulatory disorders, and safe, far-infrared heat for stiffness and arthritis are just a few examples of how these various adjunct treatments can help aging clients.
There are hundreds of efficacious adaptive medical devices that can be used with great results for elderly adults to help them age in place at home or to support them in a long-term care facility or assisted living community. Here is a list of the most commonly utilized medical devices in geriatric occupational therapy that are considered the top of their line.
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Drive Bellavita Automatic Reclining Bath Lift |
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Drive Medical Bellavita Lightweight Automatic Reclining Bath Lift - As the lightest and deepest bath lift available in today’s marketplace, the Bellavita highlights a reclining backrest and floating hand controls. It enables safe bathing for seniors and allows them to enter and exit the tub with ease.
| IndeeLift Sit to Stand Human Floor Lift |
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IndeeLift Human Floor Lift for Fall Recovery - This innovative lift helps a person who has fallen to get into a seated position for standing in about 60 seconds. With the capability to be used both alone or with a caregiver’s assistance, this is a must-have for older adults who are prone to falls.
| Great Life Homecare Rotor Assist Rotating Bed |
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HomeCare Rotor AssistPowered Rotating Bed - This state-of-the-art bed system enables safe exit and entry positioning by rotating the entire mattress while the frame stays in place. Perfect for aging adults who are experiencing reduced flexibility, and for those who have instability when standing or sitting.
| Butler Indoor and Outdoor Straight Stair Lift |
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Butler Indoor Outdoor Stair Lift - This economical and affordable stairlift doesn’t skimp on features or luxury. Comfortable and secure, this height-adjustable swivel seat comes in two different sizes to accommodate elderly users up to 350 pounds. For use indoors or out.
| Suitcase Trifold Portable Wheelchair Ramp |
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Suitcase Trifold Portable Wheelchair Ramp - Convenient and versatile, this lightweight ramp folds down to the size of an average suitcase and can be used in two separate sections or as a single unit. A great choice for seniors who travel, this ramp can be used for safe accessibility, and an extendable lip spans the tailgates of SUVs and vans.
| Drive Medical RTL Nitro Light Weight Rollator |
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Drive Medical RTL Nitro Euro-Style Light Weight Aluminum Walker Rollator - Well suited for both indoor and outdoor mobility, this rollator’s fork-style design is easy to steer and comfortable to operate, making it one of the best choices for aging adults.
| E Wheels Folding Sit or Stand Mobility Scooter |
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EWheels Stand and Ride Folding Mobility Scooter - Stylish and compact, this electric scooter is quite popular with older adults. It can be ridden standing or seated, and has ability to travel up to 15 miles or 20 hours on a single charge. Its versatility makes this a suitable selection for community mobility.
| Solace Resolution Glissandro Mattress by Invacare |
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Solace Resolution Glissando Heavy Duty Mattress by Invacare - When your geriatric clients require exceptional pressure ulcer prevention, look no further than this high-density foam mattress that features an innovative gliding layer protecting against shear and friction.
| Freedom Bath with Electric Door by Arjohuntleigh |
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Freedom Bath with Electric Rolling Door by ArjoHuntleigh - While other walk-in bathtubs have doors that swing inward or outward, the amazing design of the Freedom Bath highlights an electric rolling door that rolls completely out of the way of the doorway, making transfers smooth, safe, and easy.
| Wellness Nordic Relaxation Chair by ArjoHuntleigh |
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Wellness Nordic Relaxation Chair by ArjoHuntleigh - Soothing and relaxing, this luxurious therapeutic recliner combines soothing music with gentle rocking to calm and revitalize your elderly clients in body, mind, and spirit. Wonderful therapy for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, mood disorders and so much more.
As an occupational therapy student or graduate, it’s important to know about the many different specialties you can find the certification for, with the geriatric specialty as one of the fastest-growing fields. If you like working with elderly adults, there is no better time to become a geriatric OT specialist!
With the aging U.S. population ever-expanding combined with the vast majority of these older adults planning to age in place at home, the services of geriatric occupational therapists will just continue to grow in demand in the coming decades. In order to serve this community effectively, It’s crucial to understand the unique needs of seniors, be able to make home modification suggestions, and know about the many different types of adaptive equipment and where to source it.
Let us help with our educational Caregiver University resource, where you can learn more about issues affecting older adults, and our Aging in Place store, where you’ll find everything you and your geriatric clients require for safe and comfortable aging in place at home.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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