For individuals living with memory loss from dementia, a brain injury or stroke, forgetting loved ones and losing important memories can be a heartbreaking part of these changes. Memory loss can unfortunately also impact a person’s ability to complete activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, eating and taking medications. This can lead to a loss of independence, significant safety concerns and increased stress levels for caregivers and loved ones.

Occupational therapists (OTs) can play a critical role when memory loss is impacting a person’s daily life. Although a full recovery of cognitive skills is rarely a realistic goal, OTs can minimize the impact of memory loss by supporting independence and improving quality of life for as long as possible. Read on to learn more about occupational therapists and how they can help you or a loved one navigate memory changes.

What is an Occupational Therapist?

OTs help people of all ages develop, recover or maintain the skills required to safely participate in regular tasks, or ‘occupations’. This includes fundamental skills like bathing, eating and dressing, as well as work tasks, leisure activities and social participation. OTs assess capabilities, evaluate home and work environments, make adaptive equipment and home modification recommendations and offer guidance to family members and caregivers.

How Can an Occupational Therapist Help With Memory Loss?

For people living with cognitive decline and memory changes, OTs can suggest activities to strengthen cognitive abilities, identify the tasks that have become challenging and find tools and strategies to make these tasks easier. OTs can also help caregivers by increasing their loved one’s independence and decreasing the amount of assistance they need. Interventions are always based on an individual’s specific needs, but often include a combination of the following:

Cognitive Training

OTs use memory exercises to maximize a person’s remaining memory, stimulate their cognitive function and improve memory recall. Cognitive training can include puzzles, word or card games, brain-training apps or looking at pictures and recalling loved ones and special places. OTs also lead sequencing exercises, where a client lists the key steps for an activity like mailing a letter. The goal is to assist clients in being able to participate in meaningful activities. Clients and caregivers are also supported with strategies and aids to manage cognitive challenges.

Repetition and Routine

OTs work with clients and their caregivers to create a consistent and structured routine to help reinforce memory pathways. This includes practicing essential daily tasks through repetition and breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Consistency for people with memory loss creates a predictable pattern, reduces the need to recall what comes next and limits unnecessary decision-making.

Visual Aids

OTs often introduce visual aids to prompt clients as they go through their day. Arrows and labels on drawers, cupboards and rooms can help an individual navigate their home. A daily schedule that uses pictures and is displayed on the fridge or bedroom can clearly outline the sequence of events. Routine prompts like ‘brush teeth’ or ‘make breakfast’ with visual cues, can also be added in specific locations to help a loved one stay on track. An OT may also recommend large, easy-to-read calendars that use colour-coding or pictures to list upcoming appointments and other important dates.

Assistive Technology

Depending on your loved one’s level of memory loss, visual reminders may not be effective. Electronic tools and apps can be programmed to alert a loved one when it’s time to take their medicine, eat lunch, head to an appointment or go for a walk. An OT can help you find the right technology and learn how to use it. Some apps and smartwatches also have GPS tracking to help you monitor your loved one’s location for safety, while also allowing for some independence.

Environmental Changes

People with memory loss are at risk for accidents such as, falling, wandering or forgetting to turn off the stove. OTs may recommend making changes to your living space to support memory function, independence and safety. This can include organizing the home to reduce clutter and the risk of falls, installing grab bars in areas like the bathroom, using fall detection devices and ensuring there’s adequate lighting throughout. Automatic shut-off devices or smart home technology that can remotely control and monitor appliances may also be helpful. These environmental modifications will allow your loved one to complete the activities of daily living more easily and safely.

Occupational therapy can be a source of support for people living with memory loss, their family members and caregivers. OTs can help clients learn to adapt to their changing skills and capabilities and maintain their independence for a longer period of time. Caregivers can also learn how to support their loved one’s safety and independence without undermining their autonomy.

An OT at VHA Home HealthCare can suggest specific activities and modifications to help you or a loved one living with cognitive changes stay safe at home. For more information about OT services available for purchase, contact VHA’s Enterprise Health Solutions Team at (416) 489-2500 ext. 4649 or by email at ehs@vha.ca. To find out if you are eligible for publicly-funded OT services, contact Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222 (no area code required).

Reviewed By:
Michelle DeBattista, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Harpreet Buttar, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Gunjan Nayyar, OT Reg. (Ont.)

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