Dementia is a disease that affects many people across the globe. The early signs of dementia include decreased problem-solving skills, decreased short-term memory, problems with communication and language, decreased perceptual skills as well as personality changes. NDIS occupational therapy can be used in order to approach dementia as a condition that requires treatment in this manner. Practitioners will typically work with family, friends and the patient affected by the disease in order to address the certain functional difficulties one can have with dementia.
NDIS occupational therapy can be helpful to patients with dementia, in order to help them become independent and perform basic functions in their day-to-day lives.
The NDIS occupational therapy practitioner will observe and assess the patient initially, in order to determine their strengths, weaknesses, performance, impairments and areas that are in need of intervention.
With dementia, it is typically true that decreased cognitive skills can be regained; however the patient can display improved function through adaptation to life with the disease.
NDIS occupational therapy practitioners will help those affected with dementia to retain their functioning life skills as long as possible. They will care for the patient and act as carers as well as long-term consultants in any issues they may have in their day-to-day lives. They will provide support in order for those suffering with dementia to be able to live in their own homes as safely as possible for as long as possible, through the use of environmental adaptation and evaluation.
NDIS occupational therapy wellness programs can and may be implemented in order to increase the safety of the patient. These will entail falls prevention programs as well as caregiver educational sessions. NDIS occupational therapy also involves the implementation of home modifications and safety mechanisms in order to increase the safety and ease of access of the patient.
The primary points of NDIS occupational therapy include health promotion, remediation, maintenance and modification.
Health promotion involves focusing on the main strengths of the patients, as well as the promotion of wellness of practitioners and care providers. The patient’s lives can be improved through the promotion of maximal performance in preferred activities, which highlight their strengths and maintains and develops them.
Remediation of cognitive skills is not likely when it comes to a disease like dementia, however NDIS occupational therapy practitioners will still incorporate a variety of exercises into the patient’s routine. The goal of these exercises is to improve the function of daily living activities through strength and endurance training, mobility training and motion training.
Maintenance involves NDIS occupational therapy practitioners providing support for routines and habits that are helping to improve the patient’s life. These routines and habits can sometimes be difficult to get into initially, and the maintenance of doing so is important to build independence.
Modification involves the implementation of home modifications and safety mechanisms in order to ensure a safe and supportive environment. This is done through compensation and adaptation. Verbal cues, social supports and personal assistance is also used in order to achieve this.
In summary, NDIS occupational therapy is a life-changing treatment program that can help dementia-affected patients to gain independence and prolong it as long as possible. Whilst the inherent nature of the disease means cognitive remediation is unlikely, some independence can still be established and maintained for as long as possible, and this is ultimately the goal of the NDIS occupational therapy practitioners. Finding ways for those affected by dementia to enjoy life are the main points to successful therapy intervention. It is ensured that patients will have the care providers, practitioners and support needed to live life to its fullest.
