At Volante Senior Living, we believe that thriving in every stage of life starts with the right support. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in helping seniors maintain independence, confidence, and overall well-being—especially within our assisted living and memory care communities.
Whether recovering from illness, managing the challenges of aging, or navigating cognitive changes, occupational therapy empowers seniors to live life to the fullest. Occupational therapy helps people of all ages recover from a mental or physical illness, or a traumatic event by encouraging rehabilitation through overall health, well-being, and successfully performing activities of daily life.
For seniors, falls and illnesses are common reasons for seeking occupational therapy services. At other times, seniors experiencing bereavement, or their caregiver no longer there, may end up in a hospital or skilled nursing facility – where OT becomes an essential part of their recovery journey. The primary goals of occupational therapy are to:
- Help seniors achieve their highest level of function
- Identify adaptations needed in the senior’s home environment
- Determine whether the senior can return home safely, and if not, figure out the best place for him or her to live.
Occupational Therapy in Volante Senior Living’s Memory Care Program
Brenda McCarroll, Volante’s National Director of Memory Care, has over 20 years of OT experience. Her career spans work in Ireland under a psychosocial model in dementia care homes, as well as experience in the United States using a medical model in skilled nursing facilities. McCarroll’s holistic approach blends both models, emphasizing that cognition must be treated not just physically, but also by considering social and psychosocial factors. As an extension of her experience, McCarroll has trained therapists in both the physical therapy side and the mental health side
“I believe occupational therapy should be delivered holistically,” she says. “Cognition is a function, and to treat it, a therapist must not only treat physical disabilities, but they also need to consider social and psychosocial matters, and how patients interact with their environment. The mind, body, and spirit are impacted by memory care.”
At Volante, McCarroll has created a model that allows our Memory Care Directors to take the functional and observational-based training they’ve received, back to their communities. This model equips staff with observational-based training to assess each resident’s stage of need and apply personalized, appropriate care strategies. Volante’s memory care teams are committed to meeting residents where they are, with the overarching goal of maintaining each resident at their highest functional level.
In Volante’s memory care program, McCarroll and her team focus on key questions:
“Can Do”: What can the resident do cognitively?
“Will Do”: What motivates the resident? What do they want or need to do? “May Do”: What opportunities and supports can the care team provide to help residents engage fully in life?
Many Volante communities partner with companies like EmpowerMe to provide on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. These partnerships enhance residents’ quality of life and complement each community’s wellness program.
EmpowerMe collaborates with residents’ existing doctors and specialists, and Volante’s Care team, to ensure seamless, 24/7 coverage of the residents’ healthcare needs. Regular wellness visits are conducted with each enrolled resident to ensure proactive communication between all parties.
Vicki Botefuhr, Sales Director at Volante of Arlington Heights, explains, “Having EmpowerMe on-site allows residents to benefit from their services without needing to leave the building. Their personalized approach to our residents’ overall health and wellbeing aligns well with Volante’s mission and values, and their suite is kept very nicely with the most up-to-date equipment.”
She adds, “The EmpowerMe therapists are very much a part of our community and know all of our residents regardless of whether they’re receiving therapy services. The therapists facilitate weekly exercise classes with residents, speak at monthly family meetings, and communicate well with residents, families, and staff.”
April is National Occupational Therapy Month.
As stated on the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) website, “Each April, AOTA is a rallying force bringing occupational therapy practitioners, educators, students, and supporters together to celebrate OT Month, a commemorative campaign that is anchored in both honoring the profession and driving awareness about it.”
At Volante Senior Living, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the life-changing work of occupational therapy professionals who support our resident every day. To learn more about how our communities partner with OT professionals to provide exceptional care, tour one of our communities today.
About the Author: Constance Sablan
