How OT's help
Maximising independence in the home is at the heart of an occupational therapist's vocation. Whether you are enquiring on behalf of yourself or a client, partner, family member or friend, we are perfectly placed to understand your concerns and advise you on the next steps to take.
The following are among many examples of challenges within the home with which we can help:
- Standing up from an armchair or sofa
- Getting into and out of the bath or shower, or on and off the toilet
- Getting into and out of bed
- Using the stairs
- Reducing the risk of falling
Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify any such problems, make recommendations to reduce them and (if desired) arrange for any recommended changes to be made.
Our approach
Our aim is to provide flexible and practical solutions to maintain and improve your mobility around the home and reduce the risk of falls. Our assessment may involve looking at:
- Your medical history and the implications of any current prognosis
- Your present and future levels of mobility, strength and stamina
- The home environment, including the layout of bathroom, kitchen, sitting room, bedrooms
- Suitability, use and arrangement of household furniture
- Accessibility of bath, shower and toilets
- Your goals for the future
Common recommendations
Some practical recommendations to support you in being independent at home might include:
- A rise-and-recline chair to help you stand-up after sitting and elevate your legs when resting
- A specialist bed that allows you maximum comfort, and ease when getting up
- Bathroom adaptations such installation of a level access, with no steps or thresholds to worry about
- Raised toilet seats, combined with some well placed grab-rails
- A stairlift to ease access to the floors of your property and conserve your energy for daily activities
We can help with
With so many products on the market, speacialist and independent expert advice can prevent costly mistakes and ensure the right product for you, both now and in the future.
If required we can also provide assistance with:
- Sourcing alternative suppliers and quotations - we work with companies nationally to ensure we always offer competitively-priced solutions
- Dealing with representatives who may need to visit your home
- Setting up and training you or your carers in the safe use of equipment