How OT's help
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 on the next steps to take. Often a particular event leads to an approach to the OT Practice, although such concern is as likely to have been growing over time as to have been triggered by a sudden event such as an accident.
Some of the most common reasons that people contact us in relation to memory problems include:
- Memory lapses following a brain injury or period of illness
- Wandering out of the house at various times of day or night
- Forgetting to eat at mealtimes
- Getting lost when walking or driving
- Confusion or forgetfulness around the identity of family or friends
- Difficulty in managing important medication
Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to sensitively identify any such problems, make recommendations to reduce or mitigate them and (if desired) arrange for any recommended changes to be made.
Our approach
Our aim is to provide advice and support on how to manage forgetfulness and memory problems to maintain or improve independence. Our assessment will take place at home and may involve looking at:
- Current and likely future levels of mobility and memory
- The home environment
- Medical history, diagnosis and prognosis
- Social networks and support
- Previous, current and desired daily routines
- Personal and family goals
Common recommendations
Some practical solutions that we may recommend to help maintain memory and independence include:
- Routines
- Memory aids
- Home safety advice
- Strategies to recognise people and places
- Techniques to stay orientated in the present moment
We can help with
If required we also provide support through:
- A memory management programme, involving six weekly sessions with an occupational therapist to provide you or your family or carer with the skills to maintain and, where possible, improve your memory function
- Advice on small aids for the home that can maximise independence and compensate for memory loss, such as talking calenders and electronic medicine dispensers
