Aging in place occupational therapy helps older adults maintain their independence by living safely in their own homes for as long as possible, enhancing quality of life and reducing costs. Aging-in-place therapy services can include recommending modifications to the home, teaching adaptive skills and using adaptive devices.
Are you looking for a career rather than just another job? If so, you might want to consider occupational therapy. Occupational therapy can provide a meaningful line of work for those who want to help others. Becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) can be an excellent option for those who are interested in the field but don’t want to spend the years in school required to become an occupational therapist.
As an OTA, you can still choose from a wide range of occupational therapy specializations, including aging in place. Learn skills to support individuals’ desire to remain safely in their homes, also known as again-in-place, and earn your certification after advanced training.
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Aging in Place
Before pursuing advanced certification in this area, you will need to learn more about how we as humans interact in our environments and how injury or illness can impact our functioning.
Some OTAs decide to specialize in a particular area, such as aging in place, which focuses on the needs of seniors who want to maintain their independence by living safely in their own homes for as long as possible.
Supporting Independence and Safety at Home
Aging-in-place therapy services for seniors have many benefits, including their primary goal: to help seniors remain in the comfort of their homes and enjoy sustained independence while living safely. In a 2024 survey by U.S. News and World Report, 95% of U.S. adults 55 and older stated that aging in place safely, comfortably and independently was important to them. OTAs can play a critical role in helping seniors maintain their independence and safety at home.
Enhancing Quality of Life
The ability to age gracefully and comfortably in one’s home later in life can go a long way toward enhancing quality of life. However, occupational therapy goes beyond this. It can help older adults preserve or regain necessary functional skills. In addition, OTAs can help these individuals overcome barriers and enjoy meaningful activities again, which supports community engagement, social wellness, personal fulfillment and emotional well-being.
Reducing Long-Term Care Costs
When occupational therapy helps older adults age in place, it also has the potential to reduce long-term care expenses by avoiding the significant cost of living in a retirement community or nursing home. As of 2023, the median cost of living in a private room in a nursing home was $9,733 per month, and rates continue to rise. Staying in their home for as long as possible can help seniors significantly reduce their expenses.
Explore the pathway to becoming an OTA and the requirements to enter an OTA program.
Key Interventions in Aging in Place Occupational Therapy
How exactly do aging-in-place therapy services work? Here’s a look at some key interventions OTAs can use to help older adults maintain their independence.
Home Modifications for Safety and Accessibility
An OTA may assist an occupational therapist in performing a home evaluation. During a home evaluation, the OTA may support the process by identifying potential challenges, safety issues and functional deficits. For example, if the home is older, doorways might not be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair should the resident experience mobility difficulties. In addition, older adults who need to use a wheelchair might need an outdoor ramp to allow access to the home.
OTAs can recommend a wide range of other home modifications to improve accessibility and safety, including:
- Removal of clutter and throw rugs on the floor to eliminate tripping hazards
- Better interior and exterior lighting to compensate for vision impairments
- Grab bars, shower seats and elevated toilet seats installed in the bathroom to assist with the activities of daily living (ADLs)
Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology
Adaptive equipment and tools, also known as adaptive devices, are designed to help individuals’ ability to carry out their ADLs. A wide range of adaptive equipment and assistive technology is available. This includes tools like button hooks, which help individuals button shirts with one hand, and weighted silverware, which helps individuals with hand tremors eat more easily. Home automation is also an example of assistive technology that could be utilized to support individuals’ ability to function in their home environment.
An OTA can assess an older adult’s challenges through observation and discussion and then recommend specific types of adaptive devices to help them overcome these difficulties.
Teaching Adaptive Skills
An OTA can help older adults learn to use their new adaptive devices and assistive technologies, as well as teach them adaptive skills to help them remain independent. Adaptive skills enable individuals to overcome physical and cognitive changes associated with older age and health conditions. By using adaptive skills, individuals can continue to perform tasks such as paying bills, cooking, and scheduling appointments.
Becoming an OTA Specializing in Aging in Place Therapy Services
If you’re passionate about helping older adults live better and more safely at home, perhaps becoming an OTA is in your future. Here’s an overview of the steps to becoming a certified aging-in-place specialist in occupational therapy.
Applying to an OTA Program
The first step toward becoming an aging-in-place occupational therapy assistant is to apply to an OTA program. St. Catherine University’s Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Program combines instructional coursework with fieldwork and confers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). You don’t need prior college credits to apply, although having transferable credits can facilitate the process. An admissions advisor can help you sort through the eligibility requirements.
Completing Online Coursework
If you choose St. Kate’s OTA program, you can complete your coursework online for added flexibility and convenience. You’ll read materials, watch lectures, engage with instructors in chat sessions and interact with your peers on the forum. You’ll also enjoy learning with several multimedia features.
Completing In-Person Labs
While most of the OTA program can be completed online, you must also complete in-person skills labs. In total, you’ll complete 12 skills labs within simulated rehabilitative settings. The skills labs will instill fundamental skills across the core areas of occupational therapy, including productive aging. It’s an ideal curriculum for those who want to provide aging-in-place therapy services.
Gaining Practical Experience in the Field
The fieldwork experiences offered in St. Kate’s OTA program will prepare you to transition into professional practice. You will work with clients of all ages, including older adults. Furthermore, our fieldwork opportunities are available in a wide range of areas across the U.S. Plus, you’ll be able to choose a particular interest area — like productive aging — for one of your fieldwork experiences.
Passing the COTA Exam
Before specializing in aging in place as an occupational therapy assistant, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy’s (NBCOT) Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam. St. Kate’s builds exam prep directly into the program. During your third semester, you’ll work on the NBCOT Prep Coaching Program to help you excel on the certification exam.
Gaining Advanced Skills in this Specialty
Lastly, you can choose to specialize in this area or seek out advanced certification, such as the Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation offered by the National Association of Home Builders. To earn the CAPS certification, you must complete three courses exploring aging-in-place concepts and solutions.
What other careers in OT are possible? Discover 13 OTA careers you can pursue after graduation.
Career Opportunities and Job Outlook
It’s a great time to consider becoming an OTA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth rate for OTAs is estimated to be 22% from 2023 to 2033, much higher than average. This indicates that healthcare employers expect to hire about 10,600 new OTAs during this period. After getting certified, you might pursue career opportunities at hospitals, doctor’s offices and skilled nursing facilities.
Explore Your Future as an OTA Today
Thinking about becoming an OTA so you can help seniors age in place? St. Catherine University is here to support you. With St. Kate’s Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, you can graduate with your AAS in OTA in as few as 16 months.
You can choose from flexible curriculum options to suit your needs, and much of the program takes place online for your convenience. Plus, you’ll complete thorough fieldwork experiences that prepare you to confidently sit for the certification exam and pursue your first OTA job focusing on aging in place or another specialization.
Ready to get started? Contact our friendly admissions advisors today to learn more about our program.
