Occupational therapists are very adept in assisting people who are challenged by everyday chores such as washing and dressing, allowing them to stay in their own home for as long as feasible. An occupational therapist may work with you on ways to modify tasks so that they are no longer too difficult or time-consuming for the patient to handle alone. The goal is to help the patient remain in the community as long as possible without putting him or her at risk. Personal care includes activities such as bathing, grooming, and toileting that need to be done but cannot be done by a caregiver because of physical limitations. An occupational therapist can provide assistance with these tasks either in a patient's home or in a residential care facility. Often, patients prefer to remain independent as long as possible-even if this means doing household chores themselves for several hours each day. However, if they becomes too difficult or painful, they may need help from another person or device to complete these tasks. People usually require varying levels of support when it comes to performing daily tasks. For example, an older person might be able to cook for himself/herself every other week but might need assistance with cleaning his/her house every week.