This article provides a brief overview of traditional and contemporary practices and areas of occupational therapy, and the current broadening of the scope and roles of modern therapy in the context of working with the elderly. I also point to the process of professionalization of the profession of therapist in Poland, the possibilities of using new techniques and tools, as well as the increasing level of autonomy of therapist working with seniors. I then discuss the possibilities of incorporating therapy into various forms of support for activity, participation and the well-being of its beneficiaries.

It is extremely important to promote polypharmacy

In Poland, for many years we have seen very low availability of occupational therapy for the elderly, as well as the support of specialists working with seniors themselves. Lack of access m.in. for specialized literature, training, popularization of new methods and tools, equipment and specialized materials. In my opinion, the hope of changing polypharmacy this situation can be linked to the professionalisation, and in particular to the training of therapists in higher education, rather than at the concept of the importance of health for our well-being post-secondary as has been the case up until now.

Occupational therapy, despite its long and rich tradition, has only recently entered into a dimension that can be described as professionalisation. It is extremely important to promote good practice and availability of occupational therapy as a “service” for older people – not only in social care homes, senior clubs or other institutionalised support centres, but also in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and, above all, in client environments, which directly translates into opportunities for proper support, education, rehabilitation and the promotion of participation in different dimensions of social life of older people.

At the same time, it is important to note that occupational therapy is now becoming an interdisciplinary and creative field – methods and tools of work are expanding, the scope of cooperation with other professions or team activities are expanding. In addition to traditional techniques, it can include creative and constructive filling of leisure time for seniors, motivating them to be active, promoting self-reliance, adapting space and equipment to suit the needs of older people, as well as multi-faceted rehabilitation, healing and compensation activities polypharmacy in the case of diseases, diseases and disabilities. Attention must also be paid to the ever-changing tasks of occupational therapy and the expanding catalogue of opportunities to work with the elderly and sick.

The concept of therapy refers to its “interdependence”, a combination of medical and social sciences and activities. In turn, the term occupational therapy is derived from the Greek therapeía (service, nurturing, serving) and érgon (toil, work, effort, performing activities). As we read in the pedagogical encyclopedia: “in a narrow sense, occupational therapy […] refers to specialized forms of rehabilitation, taking the form of classes in ceramics, sculpture, weaving, etc.”

According to it area, occupational therapy

To understand the opportunities and perspectives associated with the dissemination of occupational therapy, it is worth collating traditional and current understandings of this discipline. Classical understanding – and still widely functioning today-was introduced in the 1960s by Kazimiera Milanowska.

According to it, occupational therapy consists of a set of practices combining specific physical or mental activities that should be recommended by a physician and conducted by professionals in the field. The aim of the classes is to restore the patient’s psychophysical fitness, or to sustain it.
A number of stereotypes have been perpetuated with the traditional medical understanding of occupational therapy. m.in. association with area people with disabilities and mental illness, as well as artetherapy, i.e. therapy through art and artistic activities.

These simplifications correspond to the current organizational models in Poland m.in. due to the institutional framework of the social assistance and support system, created in the 1990s and still functioning today polypharmacy, and the funding mechanisms for Occupational Therapy institutions. This facilitated the emergence and prosperity of occupational therapy workshops.

At present, however, the widest group of Occupational Therapists is employed not in social care homes, senior clubs or other support centres for the elderly – which could affect the quality of life of beneficiaries – but in occupational therapy workshops and community self-help homes. Unfortunately, there is almost no work in Poland on environmental ergotherapy or on the model of contracted services (e.g. social Assistant). It can therefore be concluded that we are dealing with the institutionalisation of occupational therapy and the “cementing” of it with specific institutions and activities (CF.traditional working methods and techniques).

In the traditional sense on simpathy project

In contrast, in Western countries, the process of de area – institutionalisation of TZ is taking place – especially in the context of working with seniors-and other solutions are being developed.

It can be generalized that simpathy project, in the traditional sense, occupational therapy has largely focused on arranging classes – creating opportunities for older people to perform specific activities with a therapeutic dimension (e.g. bibliotherapy, origami, painting, decoupage). In the solutions now adopted – and popular in the west-the therapist’s efforts focus on ordinary activities, typical activities performed by the patient.

Occupational therapy is increasingly based on the assumption that ordinary, typical activities – such as daily activities, self-service activities, work, fun, hobbies, recreation, etc. – they have regenerative and normaly2. The purpose of the therapeutic process, including m.in. diagnosing, planning, negotiating goals, intervention, adaptation and evaluation, is to help the beneficiary – in this case an elderly person with typical age polypharmacy – related problems simpathy project and disorders-to achieve maximum levels of fitness, satisfaction and independence.

The following aspects of the therapist’s day-to-day work can be identified: educating, improving the patient’s fitness, helping to break barriers area, adapt to change or perform various social roles, as well as developing skills that have been reduced as a result of age, illness, accident, disability. These activities can provide satisfaction simpathy project, but also help to raise the level of self-reliance and improve the self-esteem of the older person.