Occupational Therapy Advocacy

          Caregivers should advocate for occupational therapists to become certified in caregiver training. Many occupational therapists who work specifically with geriatrics are unfamiliar with caregiver training due to it being a recent emerging occupational therapy practice area. It would be good for occupational therapists who work with older adults and for them to also become familiar with caregiver training so that they will be able to educate individuals who may need to eventually care for their elderly friends or family. This link is a continuing education course that occupational therapists can take to become certified to train caregivers on how to help manage dementia-related symptoms on a daily basis. There are also additional courses that can be taken if you are interested in further study.
          Providing occupational therapy services to caregivers allows these individuals to manage their role as caregiver and to maintain a good occupational balance. Educating caregivers about appropriate techniques such as stress management, coping skills, and time management allows the caregivers to cope with their role and decrease their overall stress.