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Physical Therapy/Therapist (PT) develops the body. Occupational Therapy/Therapist develops the ability to negotiate Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including any required adaptive aids that would enable him to return to independent living. Hopefully, those visiting him will be doing initial workups to determine if he's a candidate for these programs and if so, what goals would be realistic for him. Participation with the OT and assistants (OTAs) may provide a welcome diversion from the other nursing home residents even if he's not otherwise motivated to work towards returning to independent living. He would have to progress however; or, they'd drop him from the program. PT and OT work together (multidisciplinary approach) so that as he becomes physically capable of performing specific ADLs, he's retaught how to do those even if it means doing them differently from the way he's used to. I hope he qualifies for both and that they're both offered in-house. The latter can make or break a person's willingness to participate. The trend in nursing homes today is to provide the space necessary to conduct PT/OT while the PT/OT staff and equipment is annually contracted through an agency. Good luck.
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