Why Occupational Therapy?

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.(World Federation Occupational Therapists 2012)

What is Occupation?

Occupation refers to any activity that people engage in as individuals, families and within communities to bring meaning and purpose to life.  Occupations include things people need to do, like washing and dressing, want to do, like sports or leisure activities and are expected to do, like learning or working.

How Does The Process Work?

Individual Assessments:

You participate in an initial assessment of your functional abilities from a physical, cognitive, environmental, social, wellbeing and emotional perspective and together we agree a plan of intervention to address those areas that are most important to you.  You will receive a written copy of that plan which will include time frames towards achieving any agreed goals. Sessions are agreed and booked in advance.

Case Management:

You participate in an initial assessment encompassing all areas of your life. The case manager prepares a detailed assessment report outlining your needs in all areas as agreed with you and you agree goals to work towards. The case manager coordinates interventions on your behalf aimed at achieving the goals agreed. Those interventions may include arranging therapy, care support, medical appointments, equipment demonstrations, accommodation adaptation services. The case manager reports back to you/your representative on a regular basis ensuring timely, goal specific and cost efficient interventions. 

Medico Legal Reports:

You participate in an initial assessment typically lasting three hours.  This will include gathering information about what lead to your current circumstance, observation of specific daily functional tasks like walking indoors and outdoors, getting into and out of a car, as well as administration of standardised assessments, if appropriate. The therapist completes a detailed report, based on the assessment, which will include information about how you carry out activities of daily living, the costing of any equipment or technology you might require to assist you to carry out desired activities and care recommendations to support you to achieve what you want to achieve.

Specific Assessment or Training Programmes:

A variety of specific one off assessments and tailor made training programmes offered, depending on you identifying knowledge/skill deficits and areas where staff/individuals require support and training.

Areas covered include:

• Environmental assessment with risk management plans
• Risk assessment practical training,
• Bed posture management
• Wheelchair positioning
• Specific individually designed training for those who work or live with people with a brain injury.