What’s the Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy?

What’s the Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy?

There can be a lot of confusing treatments that your senior might have access to. Understanding the differences between occupational therapy and physical therapy can be a bit tricky, for instance.

How They’re Alike

It can help to focus on the similarities between PT and OT, because there are quite a few. They both are geared toward improving overall function and quality of life for your elderly family member. Someone who needs physical therapy after surgery may also benefit from occupational therapy as well, particularly if the surgery affected her ability to do certain tasks. These are also therapies that are precision tuned to your senior’s exact needs.

How They’re Different

Physical therapy focuses on physical movement and function, which makes sense, given the name. It typically involves doing stretches and exercises both during PT sessions and when your senior is on her own in between sessions. PT is usually recommended after surgery or an injury to help with recovery. Occupational therapy on the other hand is about helping your senior to handle daily tasks. Occupational therapists may show your senior how to use specific tools or help her to learn a different way of doing things. OT may be necessary after a stroke, for instance, to help your senior to learn how to dress herself again or to brush her teeth.

Goals and Both Types of Therapy

Both OT and PT involve setting goals for your senior and then working toward those goals. For physical therapy, your elderly family member might have strength goals, range of motion goals, and goals around reducing pain. A physical therapist can also help your elderly family member learn more about mobility and keeping it for as long as possible. OT goals might revolve around specific daily tasks, as well as helping your senior to be as independent as possible, especially with new types of movement.

Which One Is Right for Your Senior?

It can be tough to know which type of therapy is exactly right for your senior. Talk with her doctor to determine whether both would help or if just one is the best option. Your senior may be able to improve her quality of life significantly by choosing the right type of therapy for her.

During these trying times, it’s helpful to have mobile physical therapy and occupational therapy that can come to your senior. This makes her life even easier and can help to ensure that she doesn’t miss a single appointment.

Oxnard Family Circle provides these services in different ways – mainly by delivering meals and checking on seniors at home. Right now, we are not providing in-facility adult day care, but we hope to reopen that option soon!

Considering help for a senior in Ventura County? Learn more about adult day care in Port Hueneme, CA. Call us! 1-805-385-4180.