It’s not a straightforward task to list the benefits as each patient (child, young adult, adult, senior adult) will require a programme of treatment tailored to their unique circumstances. Having said that,  in general, the treatment programme will improve the abilities of the patient in a variety of ways, depending on their individual goals. The occupational therapist may provide:

• Help with motor development to improve the ability to dress, shower, eat, and groom
• Support to participate in activities at work or school, such as writing
• Help with techniques to self-regulate for people with behavioural disorders
• Support to perform household management such as cleaning and budgeting
• Support to make driving possible
• Identification and purchase of mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and ramps
• Information to help with confidence building and social participation
• Help to improve hand eye coordination to improve ability in sports and leisure activities

When sitting or lying for long periods of time there is significant pressure on the bony prominences in the body. This can be different depending on someone’s seating or lying position.

One key aspect of pressure care for people who are at high risk for developing a pressure injury is for them to change their position on a regular basis. This should be done at least every 4 hours*.

Occupational therapists play a key role in a variety of ways to help assess, monitor and help reduce the risk of pressure injuries from occurring.

• Assessment – the assessment determines the persons risk of developing a pressure injury – some factors which are considered include a persons daily routine, seating position, lying position, BMI, any continence issues, skin type, sensation sex and age.
• Monitor – monitoring occurs alongside the person, the family, carers and other health care professionals. If there is any change to a person’s seating position, daily routine etc. a reassessment may need to take place
• Reducing the risk of pressure injuries – this includes education on factors which increase and/or decrease risk factors, providing training to the person or their family/carer or providing advice around suitable products/equipment. Equipment which may help to alleviate these risks include – proper seating, pressure care cushions and mattresses, heel/elbow protectors etc.

If you have a question or concern in relation to pressure care and how it may be affecting you or a someone you care for – you can contact your local OT.

*According to NICE guidelines (National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2014 and Pressure Ulcers: Prevention and Management (Clinical Guideline).

Diagram courtesy of Nurse Key.

An Occupational Therapist working in mental health may work in several areas. These setting will vary and may include working with people across the lifespan of their engagement with mental health services. Some of these areas include:

• Maternal mental health
  • During pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum.
• Children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
  • For the first 18 years of a child’s life – this may include both inpatient and community-based work.
• Adult mental health services
  • This includes everyone from the age of 18+. This may include work in a forensic setting, acute/subacute, community or a mixture of these.
• Older persons
  • This work may be done with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties, people with dementia or other memory and cognitive issues while working with families and carers.

Occupational Therapists work with people and their families to increase / maintain engagement in meaningful activities to help promote mental wellbeing. An OT will conduct an assessment with the person and their family / carer if relevant. Following on from the assessment,  the OT will jointly develop a range of goals with the person.

Depending on the area and goals of the person, this can include a wide range of activities. Some of these activities may include – social engagement, arts/crafts, schooling, sports, memory tasks, puzzles, reading, gardening, yoga, meditation and sensory experiences.

An occupational therapist may conduct a variety of assessments and use a variety of models and frames of reference to assist the person to become more self-empowered.

Throughout the process an OT may work with the person on their own or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Some other professionals may include social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapist, nurses, art therapist and play therapist.

If you or someone you know is looking for more details on the work an OT can do in this area – contact your local OT who works in this area to discuss.

Buying a lightweight aluminum rollator can offer a range of benefits for individuals who may need mobility assistance. Here are some advantages of choosing a lightweight aluminum rollator:

1. Portability: Aluminum is a lightweight material, making the rollator easier to lift and maneuver compared to heavier materials like steel.

2. Easy Transportation: Due to its light weight, it’s easier to transport in a car or store when not in use.

3. Sturdy and Durable: Despite being lightweight, aluminum is a strong and durable material, ensuring the rollator can support the user effectively.

4. Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant, which means it’s less likely to rust over time, especially if it’s used outdoors or in damp environments.

5. Adjustable Height: Many aluminum rollators come with adjustable handle heights, allowing for a customized fit to suit the user’s comfort and needs.

6. Maneuverability: Lightweight rollators are generally easier to maneuver, making it simpler for the user to navigate through tight spaces or crowded areas.

7. Folding Mechanism: Many lightweight aluminum rollators come with a foldable design, which makes them easy to store and transport, especially for travel purposes.

8. Comfort: Many models come with padded seats and backrests for added comfort when the user needs to take a break.

9. Additional Features: Some lightweight aluminum rollators may come with extra features like storage pouches, trays, or cup holders for added convenience.

10. Safety Features: These rollators often come equipped with handbrakes or locking mechanisms to provide stability and prevent accidents.

11. Support and Stability: The rollator provides a stable and supportive aid for individuals who may have difficulty walking or maintaining balance on their own.

12. Independence: Using a rollator can promote a sense of independence and self-reliance for individuals who may otherwise struggle with mobility.

13. Improved Quality of Life: Having a lightweight aluminum rollator can enhance a person’s ability to move around, participate in activities, and socialize, leading to an improved quality of life.

Remember to consider factors like the specific features, weight capacity, and overall design of the rollator when making a purchase decision to ensure it meets the individual’s unique needs and preferences. It’s also recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or mobility specialist for personalised advice.

The Lightweight Aluminium Rollator from Beechfield Healthcare pretty much ticks all of the boxes above and it is worth considering.

Installing a stairlift can help maintain a person’s independence in 5 key ways:

1. Mobility: A stairlift allows a person with reduced mobility to move easily and comfortably between floors in their home. This can greatly improve their mobility and ability to move around their own home, which can help them to maintain their independence.
2. Safety: A stairlift can greatly reduce the risk of falls and injuries for those with reduced mobility. This can provide peace of mind for the person and their loved ones, allowing the person to move around their home with more confidence and security.
3. Ability to stay in their own home: A stairlift can allow a person with reduced mobility to continue living in their own home, rather than having to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. This can greatly improve their quality of life and help them to maintain their independence.
4. Participation in daily activities: Having a stairlift allows the person to participate in activities and events on different floors of their home, such as visiting with family and friends, going to the bedroom, or even just enjoy their home more. This can help them to maintain their independence by allowing them to continue doing the things they enjoy and to keep participating in their daily life.
5. Empowerment: A stairlift can give the person a sense of empowerment and control over their own mobility and daily activities. This can help to boost their self-esteem and self-worth, and in turn, help them to maintain their independence.

 In summary, installing a stairlift (straight or curved) can help to maintain a person’s independence by improving their mobility, safety, ability to stay in their own home, participation in daily activities, and empowering them to take control of their mobility and daily activities.

 

Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Physiotherapists (Physios) can sometimes be confused as both professions can work with similar groups of people.

Physiotherapy focuses on improving a person’s movement. Physios are movement experts as they have the knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the affected area – including muscles, tendons, joints, range of motion, strength etc. Physios help improve the lives of people who have movement issues. This is done through

• Providing hands-on care
• Prescribing specific movement exercises
• Education – on the affected area of the body
• Prescription of certain mobility aids – Zimmer frames, tri walkers, rollators, etc.
• Individual or group work – goals can be achieved through individual therapy or group therapy depending on the physio you are working with, your injury and the expertise of the physio.

In comparison to a Physio – an OT is focused on improving people’s ability to perform specific tasks or activities they want to complete in their normal everyday lives. An OT will work with the person to understand their abilities and goals, then the OT will develop a treatment plan based on this information. These goals can include both physical and mental/cognitive tasks. To help people achieve these goals an OT may use one or a combination of techniques. These include:

• Person – the OT will work with the person, and their family or carers (if relevant), in building or maintaining the skills needed to engage in their desired activity. This may include practical exercises, providing equipment, education etc
• Environment – the OT will work with the client to adapt the environment to allow the person to engage – this may include house/home adaptions, grab rail installation, re organisation of rooms/areas, understanding the social environment and supports/barriers present.
• Occupation – finally an OT may look at adapting the occupation or activity the person is doing.

An OT and Physio can regularly work together for a variety of reasons. Engagement in your regular everyday activities or occupations generally require movement. Likewise, movement generally helps enable engagement in everyday activities. Both an OT and Physio may be involved in equipment prescription (riser recliners, hoists, mobility aids, daily living aids, pressure care, etc.).

Overall, an OT and Physio aim to improve a person’s life by helping them to achieve their goals. If you would like to know which profession would be more suitable for your situation you can contact our resident OT to find out.

An Occupational Therapist is trained in assessing physical and psychological conditions in patients. They achieve this through observation, liaising with the client and/or their family and/or other healthcare professionals, activity analysis and by using other skills. Once the occupational therapist (OT) identifies where the issue lies – the OT may work with the person in regaining the function and to restore their engagement in the occupation to full capacity. There may be a requirement to use a daily living aid to assist the person in achieving their goals.

With constant research and development of new products, there is an ever-growing list of products that can help people regain function in an activity they want to engage in. These aids can help all ages from children to older adults. Below are some daily living aids that an OT may advise a client to get:

• Dressing aids – sock aids, shoehorn, dressing stick
• Washing/personal care aids – long handled brushes, combs, sponges, scissors
• Reading aids – magnifying aids, page holders, book stands
• Writing aids – grips, assistive technology, large
• Weighted/large grip cutlery
• Gardening aids
• Grip aids
• Toileting and bathing aids – raised toilet seats, shower chairs
• Sensory equipment – sensory toys, sensory armchair covers, sensory cushions, LED lights softened by sheer fabric, hand-held colour-changing light.
• Assistive technology – Screen readers, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, amplified telephone equipment, speech generating devices.

Daily living aids are a fantastic option to help improve, restore or maintain function in your normal everyday activities. If you would like more information or guidance – contact your local OT and book an assessment.

A riser recliner, also known as a lift chair, is a type of chair that can be adjusted to support the user in a variety of positions. Some of the key benefits of a riser recliner include:

1. Improved comfort: Riser recliners are designed to provide maximum comfort and support, with features such as padded cushions, adjustable lumbar support, and built-in heat and massage functions.

2. Increased mobility: Riser recliners can make it easier for people with mobility issues to get in and out of a seated position, as well as move around more easily.

3. Better posture: The adjustable backrest and footrest of a riser recliner can help users maintain good posture, reducing the risk of aches and pains.

4. Enhanced relaxation: The reclining and lifting functions of a riser recliner allow users to find the perfect position for relaxing and unwinding.

5. Increased independence: For individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of a traditional chair, a riser recliner can provide greater independence and reduce the need for assistance from others.

Check out the Beechfield Healthcare range of Riser Recliners.

An occupational therapist home assessment is an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional to assess an individual’s living environment and determine its suitability and necessary modifications to improve their functional independence and quality of life.

There are five key reasons for getting an occupational therapist to carry out a home assessment. Read the following list and identify and list those that would have a positive impact on your life.

1. Expertise in Assessing Functional Abilities: Occupational therapists specialise in assessing an individual’s functional abilities and how they interact with their environment. They are trained to evaluate a person’s physical, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities, as well as their specific needs and goals. This expertise allows them to identify potential barriers or challenges within a home environment that may affect an individual’s independence and safety.
2. Personalised Recommendations: By conducting a home assessment, an occupational therapist can provide personalised recommendations tailored to an individual’s specific needs. They consider factors such as mobility, accessibility, safety, and activities of daily living. They can suggest modifications, adaptive equipment, and strategies to improve the individual’s independence, safety, and overall quality of life within their home.
3. Maximising Safety and Independence: The primary goal of an occupational therapist is to promote independence and safety. By assessing the home environment, they can identify potential hazards, such as tripping hazards, poor lighting, or inaccessible areas, and provide recommendations to mitigate these risks. They can also suggest modifications to improve accessibility, such as installing grab bars, ramps, or stairlifts, which can enhance the individual’s ability to move around safely and independently.
4. Enhancing Quality of Life: Occupational therapists understand the impact that a well-designed home environment can have on a person’s overall well-being and quality of life. Through their assessment, they can identify ways to optimize the home environment, making it more functional, comfortable, and supportive. This can include recommending modifications to facilitate hobbies, leisure activities, social interactions, and other meaningful occupations.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: Investing in a home assessment conducted by an occupational therapist can be cost-effective in the long run. By addressing potential barriers and hazards proactively, individuals can prevent accidents or injuries that may result in costly hospitalisations or long-term care needs. Additionally, the recommendations provided by the occupational therapist can help individuals make informed decisions about home modifications or assistive devices, optimising their investment and avoiding unnecessary expenses.

It is important to note that the specific benefits of a home assessment may vary depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances. Having said that, there is no doubt that involving an occupational therapist in the process can lead to a comprehensive evaluation, personalised recommendations, and improved safety, independence, and quality of life within the home environment.

Great question! Occupational therapy helps patients in four main areas:

1. With fine motor skills (smaller movements such as picking up objects between the thumb and finger),
2. Visual-perceptual skills (the brain’s ability to make sense of what the eyes see),
3. Cognitive skills (thinking), and
4. Sensory-processing problems (over sensitivity to things in the environment).

The following disabilities and conditions can benefit from occupational therapy treatment:

• Birth injuries or defects
• Traumatic injuries to the brain or spinal cord
• Developmental delays or learning problems
• Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Chronic illnesses and pain
• Autism or sensory processing disorders
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Mental health or behavioural problems
• Hand or foot injuries
• Memory disorders
• Broken bones or other orthopedic injuries
• Cancer

This is not an exhaustive list but it should give you an idea of the depth and breath of the assistance that an Occupational Therapist can provide.