Occupational therapy
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) is about supporting people to be as independent and confident as possible so that they can take part in daily activities that are important to them.
Daily activities may include social activities, making meaningful social interaction, or being in work or education.
OT aims to enable people to achieve their full potential regardless of disability or mental functioning.
It takes a whole person approach and considers the person’s physical health as well as mental health and wellbeing.
Under the Care Act 2014, any care and support provided by local authorities aim to help people achieve outcomes that matter in their lives and promote their wellbeing. For OT services, this means promoting health and wellbeing through daily activities and supporting people to adapt daily routines. If appropriate, OT supports the person to use specifically designed equipment to enable them to live more independently.
Who provides OT services in Camden?
OT services are available from Adult Social Care or NHS Community Health.
Support with self-care and daily activities
The OT team in Adult Social Care focuses on support with daily activities of personal care, and accessing spaces in and around your home. This may include things like:
- getting in and out of the bath or shower
- getting dressed and other personal care activities such as brushing your hair
- accessing spaces in your home or the spaces immediately outside your front door
- using your home safely and preventing hazards such as falling
If you have a long-term illness, are older, or disabled, and your ability to carry out daily activities around your home is affected, the OT team in Adult Social Care, can offer support such as:
- support you to adapt your day-to-day routines
- identify any environmental barriers and recommend equipment and adaptations that can help you carry out daily tasks independently. This may include:
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- solutions to your bathing difficulties, such as grab rails and other equipment
- raised toilet seats and commodes
- transfer aids eg. hoists and standing hoists
If you have more complex needs, the OT team may carry out an assessment of your home and the space immediately outside your home, and make recommendations. This may include arranging major adaptations like stairlifts and ramps.
If you have a carer, the OT team will consider their needs and abilities, and give advice and equipment to make things easier and safer for them to carry out their caring role.
Contact Adult Social Care Access and Response team to find out more about the OT Team in Adult Social Care
Tel: 020 7974 4000 (select option 1)
Textphone: 020 7974 6866
Email: [email protected]
Support with mobility and rehabilitation
The OT team in NHS Community Health focus on support with mobility and rehabilitation. This may include things like:
- getting out and about using a wheelchair or other mobility aids so that you can attend college/university, or work
- regaining skills and confidence to manage independently following a period of illness or hospitalisation.
If you are recovering from an illness or accident, or you require mobility support to attend college or go to work, the OT team in Community Health can offer the following support:
- short-term intervention to improve mobility and transfers
- rehabilitation to meet set goals
- provision of equipment to aid Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Speak to your GP for more information about the OT team in Community Health and how to access the support they offer
Further information and resources
For information about different types of equipment and technology to support independence visit the Equipment and technology page on Camden Care Choices