Let's talk about Karen. Karen is an 81-year-old woman who lives alone and has experienced many falls in the bathroom. Due to her fear of falling, she has now stopped bathing in her tub and avoids going out of her home. She is depressed and socially isolated.
An occupational therapist working with Karen recommended bath adaptations to help her gain independence and confidence in bathing. These recommendations included the installation of grab bars, a bath lift chair, and a transfer pole to help support Karen during her daily bathing routine, in turn reducing her reliance on personal support workers and home care nurses.
As highlighted in Karen's story, occupational therapy interventions can decrease the need for home care, saving up to $50,000 a year. Occupational therapists can also be involved in home modifications, collaborating with renovation professionals to improve the accessibility and safety of homes.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists recently shared an example of an occupational therapist who recommended a walk-in shower renovation for a client. The total cost of the therapist's time and the shower renovation was $11,000, compared with an annual cost for a personal care support worker of $35,000 if the shower had not been put in place.
We know that appropriate prescription and training regarding adaptive equipment and suitable home modifications have the potential to reduce hospitalization costs. For seniors in Canada, these upfront investments and results are a significant health care savings, as seniors age 65 and over record the highest rates of hospitalization: 20 in 100,000 are hospitalized.