Occupational Therapy
Sometimes people need help and support to live life to the full. Occupational therapy promotes health and well-being by enabling you to perform meaningful and purposeful activities in day to day life, to be as independent as possible, to maintain a sense of purpose and to get the most out of life.
An Occupational Therapist can help, support and advise you with:
- Reducing and managing anxiety
- Feeling confident and in control
- Positively managing your disability
- Getting the right type of support
- Contacting other agencies or organisations
They also advise on practical ways to make your day to day life easier, for example, with:
- Improving your mobility
- Preparing your meals
- Getting in and out of bed
- Managing steps and stairs
If you have someone that helps you, they will also consider what will make things easier for that person, to help them continue in their caring role.
We are able to help all age groups and people with all types of difficulties, including physical and sensory disabilities, mental health issues and learning disabilities.
An Occupational Therapist will visit you at home to look at the practical difficulties you have and work with you to do an assessment .
For small pieces of equipment (for example, raised toilet seats, raised seating, raised beds), or small changes to your home (for example, grab rails) it is possible to do a self assessment. This can be done using the online form, or by printing the form and sending it to us and you can ask a friend or relative to help you. See Self assessment for equipment and minor adaptations.
Sometimes other staff known as Community Support Workers, working under the supervision of qualified Occupational Therapists, will also carry out assessments, provide support, advice and information and arrange the provision of equipment and adaptations.
The assessment will identify your needs and which services could be provided to meet these. Equipment and minor adaptations are provided free of charge, apart from major changes to your home, which may be charged for.
If you prefer, it is possible to receive a cash payment to enable you to purchase equipment or products, rather than having them supplied by the Council.
Contact us to ask about getting help with day to day living.
Page Last Updated: 13 May 2013
