Cognitive Health at Home
Occupational therapy for older adults navigating memory changes, cognitive concerns, and the daily tasks that matter most.
Staying capable at home starts with the right support
Memory slips. Missed medications. Keeping up with finances. A recipe that used to be automatic now takes real effort. These changes don't mean independence is over — but they do mean it's time to build the right strategies and supports so daily life stays manageable, safe, and satisfying.
As a registered occupational therapist, I work with older adults and their families through secure video to address the everyday impact of cognitive changes — not with abstract brain exercises, but with practical strategies grounded in the routines and environments you actually live in.
Who is this for?
Older adults noticing changes
You're managing at home but things that were easy are getting harder — keeping track of appointments, following multi-step tasks, staying on top of bills and medications.
Families and caregivers
You're supporting a parent or partner and need guidance — how to help without taking over, how to set up the home, when to step in.
After an MCI or early dementia diagnosis
You have a diagnosis but no clear plan for what to actually do about it day to day. You want to stay independent as long as possible.
Post-concussion or post-hospitalization
Cognitive fog after a health event is disrupting your return to normal life. You need structured support to rebuild your routines.
What we work on together
Daily routines and task management
Medication management, meal preparation, financial tasks, appointment tracking. We identify where breakdowns are happening and build internal and external supports — checklists, cues, simplified sequences — that keep you functioning independently.
Home environment and safety
Because sessions happen over video in your actual home, I can see your real environment and suggest specific changes — labelling, organization, reducing clutter, improving lighting — that reduce cognitive load and lower safety risks.
Memory strategies that actually work
Not brain games — real compensatory strategies matched to your specific challenges. External memory aids, routine anchoring, spaced retrieval practice, and habit-building techniques grounded in how memory actually works.
Sleep and fatigue management
Poor sleep is one of the strongest drivers of cognitive difficulty in older adults and it's chronically undertreated. As a CBT-I certified therapist, I address sleep directly — because better sleep means better thinking.
Caregiver coaching
Guidance for family members on when and how to support, how to communicate effectively, how to modify the environment, and how to manage your own stress in the process.
For families
Supporting the people who support you
Caregiver coaching
If you're supporting a parent or partner with cognitive changes, you're probably figuring it out as you go — how much to help, when to step in, how to have hard conversations without causing friction.
Our approach includes dedicated sessions for family members. You'll learn how to support without taking over, how to prompt your loved one to use their own thinking strategies before jumping in, and how to set up the home environment for success.
And because caregiver burnout is real — and something I specialize in — we make sure you're taking care of yourself too.
What families tell us matters most
Clarity — Understanding what's happening and what to expect. Not just a diagnosis, but a practical plan.
Confidence — Knowing how to help effectively, without causing friction or taking away independence.
Peace of mind — A professional is monitoring the situation and support is a phone call away.
Their own wellbeing — Permission and strategies to take care of themselves, because this is a marathon, not a sprint.
How it works
1
Free consultation call
A 15-minute conversation to understand your situation, answer questions, and determine if this service is the right fit. No obligation.
2
Comprehensive assessment
A 60–90 minute session over secure video. We explore your daily routines, identify where cognitive changes are creating difficulty, screen cognitive function, and set collaborative goals for what matters most to you.
3
Personalized intervention plan
Based on the assessment, I build a plan targeting your specific challenges — the strategies, environmental modifications, and supports that will make the biggest difference in your daily life.
4
Ongoing sessions
Weekly or biweekly 45-minute sessions to implement strategies, practice in real tasks, troubleshoot what isn't working, and adjust as things change. Most clients see meaningful progress in 6–10 sessions.
5
Follow-up and maintenance
After the initial block, periodic check-ins to ensure strategies are holding up and to adjust for any new changes. Reports can be shared with your physician or care team with your consent.
Why telehealth works for this
Most cognitive rehab happens in a clinic — a controlled, unfamiliar environment that tells you very little about how someone actually functions at home. Telehealth flips that. I see your kitchen, your medication setup, your hallway, your daily routine in the place where it actually happens. That means the strategies we build are designed for your real life, not a therapy gym.
For older adults in rural Alberta or anyone who finds travel difficult, telehealth also removes a major barrier to accessing specialized OT. All you need is a tablet or computer with a camera and a stable internet connection. If a caregiver needs to assist with the technology, that's completely fine — and often part of the plan.
Telehealth — Province-Wide
All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection. A caregiver can assist with the technology if needed. Ideal for ongoing sessions and clients across Alberta.
In-Person — Calgary & Area
Home visits available for initial assessments, environmental evaluations, mobility and safety concerns, or clients who prefer face-to-face care.
Qualifacations
Victoria Martel-Stevens is a Registered Occupational Therapist with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT), certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and trained in evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation approaches.
Her practice draws on the Multicontext Approach (Toglia), Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP), and compensatory strategy training grounded in the Cicerone systematic reviews of cognitive rehabilitation evidence.
She also holds expertise in burnout recovery, return-to-work support, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — relevant because cognitive concerns in older adults rarely exist in isolation from sleep problems, fatigue, mood changes, and life transitions.
Do I need a diagnosis to start?
No. You don't need a formal diagnosis of MCI or dementia to benefit from this service. If you or your family have noticed cognitive changes affecting daily life, that's enough. I'll conduct a thorough assessment and can recommend further evaluation if appropriate.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can book directly. If you'd like your physician involved, I'm happy to coordinate with your care team and provide progress reports with your consent.
How does telehealth work for this?
Sessions happen over secure video — you connect from home using a tablet, computer, or phone with a camera. This is actually an advantage for this kind of work, because I see your real environment and we practice strategies where you'll actually use them. If you need help with the technology, a family member can assist. In-person home visits are also available in Calgary.
How long does it take to see results?
Most clients and families notice meaningful improvements within 6–10 sessions. Some strategies — like a reliable medication system or daily routine — produce results almost immediately. The thinking strategies take a bit longer to develop but create lasting benefits that travel with you.
Will this cure my memory problems?
I want to be honest: if your cognitive changes are related to a progressive condition, there is no cure. What we do is build strategies and supports that help you function at your best for as long as possible — and many clients maintain their independence significantly longer with the right systems in place. If sleep is a factor, treating it can produce real, measurable cognitive improvement.
What if my parent doesn't think they need help?
Very common. Many people with early cognitive changes don't see the full extent of the difficulties — and that's actually part of the condition, not stubbornness. I can start with a low-pressure conversation framed around practical support ("someone to help organize things at home") rather than memory loss. Once we start working on concrete improvements, resistance usually fades because the results speak for themselves.
Is this covered by insurance
Sessions are billed as registered occupational therapy and may be covered by extended health benefits, Veterans Affairs Canada, motor vehicle accident insurance, or workplace insurance plans. A free consultation is available to help you understand your coverage. Private pay rates are available on request.
Start with a conversation
If you're noticing cognitive changes in yourself or someone you care about, a 15-minute call can help clarify what's going on and what support looks like.