At your first appointment, the therapist will assess your needs. They may come to your home or workplace to see what you do and what changes you need to make. They might tell you to move furniture or get an assistive device like a cane or grabber. They will also show you how to do daily chores better.

Next, they’ll work with you to come up with a therapy plan and set goals designed for your needs, disability, or limits. Your therapist can train you to adapt your movements, improve your motor skills or hand-eye coordination to do tasks in new ways. 

Your therapist may:

• Prescribe and train you to use assistive devices like raised toilet seats or wheelchairs.
• Teach you new ways to button a shirt, tie your shoes, get in and out of the shower, or work on your computer.
• Help older adults prevent falls in their home or in public areas.
• Treat adults who’ve had a stroke to improve balance, change their home to prevent injuries, build muscle strength, or adapt to their memory problems.
• Organize your medications and household tools.
• Build hand-eye coordination.
• Work on motor skills.