The Geriatric Program in this unit is comprised of occupational therapy interventions for geriatric people aged 65 years and older. Our department collaborates with Hacettepe University Hospital Geriatrics Outpatient and Inpatient Clinics. Participating in interdisciplinary team rounds, regularly conducted by hospital staff, allow for information exchange with other disciplines. The unit provides inpatient and outpatient services in the hospital and follow-up home visits after discharge.

Occupational therapy interventions help individuals whose abilities are impaired and in need of rehabilitation, develop, recover and maintain optimal functioning in performance areas including activities of daily living, work, productive activities, leisure and social participation consistent with their habits, values, interests and motivation levels. The unit provides services to geriatric patients with neurological, orthopedic or psychiatric disorders. In addition, these services support patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The client centered therapeutic approach enables people to perform meaningful and purposeful activities by considering their needs and preferences.   The interventions include activities of daily living training, productivity activities, cognitive rehabilitation, prescribing and ensuring adequate use of assistive devices, balance and coordination training, sensory integration therapy, fall evaluations and interventions, joint protection and energy conversation techniques, fatigue management, relaxation, and pain and stress management training.

Home visits are routinely planned and implemented to meet specific needs of our geriatric patients before and after hospital discharge. Beginning with evaluation of individuals’ living spaces provides meaningful activities aiming to support people to live as independently as possible, to keep them in safe by preventing falls, to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life.