For someone to be able to age in place successfully, the ability to move and perform ADLs safely and as independent as possible is imperative. In some of the elderly, the ability to mentally process the steps of specific activities can become a challenge and may indicate the need for adaptive equipment, home therapy services, a change in routine, or relocating to a more appropriate place to live.
We call this mental processing “Motor Planning“. Motor Planning is different than “Motor Control“. Put simply, it’s the ability to create an idea in your head, then plan and execute all the steps to complete that action. It is a complex process that requires cognitive thought, sensory input and a motor action. We need to use motor planning for many activities of daily living (ADL).
Take, instance, your elderly parent needs to make lunch for themselves. They choose to use the stove to heat some soup. In order for this to be a safe ADL, there are many steps for them to take. And each of these steps need to be put in the proper sequence.
Observing how your elderly loved one performs tasks can give you an idea of how safe they may be when they are alone. For a more thorough assessment, you can ask the family doctor send out an occupational or speech therapist to assess specific tasks and help develop strategies and tools tailored to your loved ones specific needs