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Personal care & dressing

Find out how we can help

Restoring independence and dignity through practical advice and solutions

We aim to restore the skills needed for essential personal care tasks such as washing and dressing after these are impaired by accident, illness or advancing age.

Working collaboratively with clients to identify their goals for each day, we help to break these down into manageable steps and integrate them into a daily routine. We are also experts at adapting bathrooms so that they remain a safe and accessible space designed to accommodate changing needs.

How OT's help

Occupational therapists are highly skilled at assisting people challenged by the everyday tasks involved in washing and dressing, helping them to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the most common reasons for seeking our help include:

  • Reducing the risk of falling or getting stuck when using the bath, shower or toilet
  • Ensuring the bathroom can be reached quickly when necessary
  • Coping with difficulties in standing or maintaining posture for a sufficient length of time
  • Learning new techniques of personal care after brain, spinal or orthopedic injuries
  • Managing the effects of progressive neurological conditions
  • Adapting bathrooms to ensure they remain accessible despite reduced mobility or coordination

Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify exactly the personal care problems facing a client so that we can provide the best possible practical advice, as well as instruction in new techniques of personal care appropriate to their circumstances. We can also recommend adaptations or equipment that would help them and (if desired) arrange for its installation.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide practical and cost-effective solutions to maximise your independence and reduce any risks. Our OT assessment may involve looking at:

  • Your medical history and current prognosis
  • Current and future levels of mobility, hand and upper limb function
  • Difficulties with fatigue, concentration or memory
  • Changes to your daily routine
  • Your home environment, especially its layout in key rooms
  • The height and location of bathroom furniture
  • Accessibility of stairs
  • Your own, your family's or carer's goals and wishes for the future

Common recommendations

Some practical solutions that we may recommend to help you move around your home include:

  • Small aids to help in day-to-day activities, such as grab rails or dressing aids
  • Larger pieces of equipment, such as beds, chairs or hoists
  • Mobility or walking aids, including ramps, wheelchairs or frames
  • Stair lifts or through-floor lifts
  • Other adaptations to your home, especially kitchens, bathrooms and toilets
  • Everyday techniques to maximise your independence and reduce risks around the home

We can help with

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
  • Reviewing plans with architects and builders to ensure any changes are right for you now and in the future
  • Supporting you in returning home following a hospital stay

Public sector, charities and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

Find out more

Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with personal care & dressing difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you in your own home and at a time convenient to you and your family, and are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments
  • We do not have waiting lists and so can offer appointments within 7 working days of referral or sooner
  • Our extensive nationwide network of registered occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • We can provide ongoing support for as long as you need it
  • Our clear, fixed pricing system will be provided to you in writing for you to consider in your own time
  • Your occupational therapist will be a specialist in their field, with over 5 years' clinical experience including time in social services or NHS practice
  • Our team are well connected to networks of local and national equipment providers, stair lift and building companies

Your Clinical Services Manager

Victoria

Victoria

Snr Clinical Services Manager

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager supervising the team looking after referrals from our case managers, solicitors and other professional clients.

Email the team

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Case managers

We help your client's achieve optimum independence through assessment, treatment & advice.

Find out more

Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

Find out more

Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

Find out more

Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our client management team, who will be able to understand what your difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we would propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange a visit at your home. Normally this first visit will comprise a full assessment, after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations. These may include useful items you can buy or activities you can do independently, but they may also include more complex recommendations such as home adaptations or additional treatment by the occupational therapist. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our rehabilitation specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in helping maximise independence with personal care and dressing.

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Sharon

London - South, South East of England

With over 30 years’ experience, Sharon is an expert OT specialising in Housing & Equipment and Seating & Postural Management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Postural management

Emma

Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

Emma an experienced OT based in Hull and provides expert rehabilitation to clients across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer, Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Balance, Self care

Helen

Staffordshire, West Midlands

Helen is an experienced OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation and covers the London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Lara

Hertfordshire, London

Occupational Therapist Lara provides Neurological and Vocational Rehabilitation to clients in both Hertfordshire and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Essex, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Anne

Southampton, Hampshire

Anne is a specialist practitioner for adult and older patients with acute mental health conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, London - Central, London - South, London - West, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, TBI

Deanne

Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

Based just outside of Middlesbrough, Deanne is an Occupational Therapist specialising in Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Emma

North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Rebecca Collins is a highly skilled occupational therapist with a specialisation in Functional and Neuro rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH, AMPS, Postgraduate cert. Vocational Rehab

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Hazel

Cardiff, Cardiff

Cardiff, Newport and North Somerset based Occupational Therapist Hazel specialises in Seating and Postural, Housing & Equipment, Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, The Vale of Glamorgan

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Janet

London - South, Kent

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Felice

Middlesex, London

Having qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2007, Felice provides expert functional rehabilitation services across Greater London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Mairead

Belfast, Down

Occupational Therapist Mairead, specializing in pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, brings over a decade of expertise since qualifying in 2009.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH, CBT, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, Splinting, Sign Language, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Joanne

London - East, Essex

Based in London, Joanne is a specialist OT offering neurological rehabilitation for clients with acquired brain injury and neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Community access, TBI

Gemma

Bedfordshire, East Anglia

Gemma is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a specialization in Housing and Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving and Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Joy

Leicester, Northamptonshire

Midlands based Joy is an Occupational Therapist specializing in Housing & Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Catherine

London - South, Kent

Located in London, Catherine is an expert Occupational Therapist who supports adults of all ages with rehabilitation needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Community access, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Whitney

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Whitney is a skilled Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist helping adults and older adults across East Anglia achieve their full potential.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Geraldine

Lancashire, North West England

Geraldine, an accomplished Occupational Therapist, specializes in housing and equipment, functional rehab, moving and handling, and fatigue management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, London, Lancashire, London - East, Manchester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jennie

London - West, Middlesex

Jennie, an accomplished Occupational Therapist, specialises in vocational and functional rehabilitation, she works in Middlesex, London and Hertfordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, London - West

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Anxiety management & relaxation

Dawn

Plymouth, Devon

Devon based OT Dawn has over 20 years of experience specialising in Functional Rehabilitation and Mental Health.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Devon

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Louisa

Plymouth, Devon

Louisa is an Occupational Therapist specializing in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Devon

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Anne-Marie

London - South, Kent

Anne-Marie is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Moving and Handling, serving clients across London and surrounding areas.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Daily living skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care

Felice

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Based in Milton Keynes, Felice supports clients with rehabilitation and home adaptations following an injury or diagnosis.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Gill

Cumbria, North West England

Based in Keswick, Cumbria, Gill is an OT delivering functional rehabilitation and housing assessments across North West England and Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Scotland, Cumbria, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Georgina

Somerset, West and South West of England

Georgina, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, blue badges/mobility assessment, and fatigue management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath, Swindon

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution

Victoria

Buckinghamshire, East Anglia

Specialising in Neurological and Functional Rehabilitation, Paediatrics, and Housing and Equipment, Victoria provides tailored therapy across East Anglia and Buckinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Handwriting assessment & treatment

Sarah

Greater Manchester, North West England

Specialising in complex physical and mental health conditions, Sarah provides expert Occupational Therapy assessments to clients across North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Louise

Dorset, South of England

Specialising in mental health and cognitive impairments, Louise provides expert Occupational Therapy to clients across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Fiona

Belfast, Antrim

Fiona specialises in functional rehabilitation, fatigue management, daily living skills, balance, and self-care. She works across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, South of England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care

Ian

Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

Ian is based in Wolverhampton, providing specialist assessments and Neurological Rehabilitation to clients across the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Katie

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Katie is an expert OT specialising in Functional Rehabilitation. She provides holistic interventions for clients across Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Abigail

Bristol, Bristol

Abi helps with moving and handling, functional rehabilitation, housing and equipment, specialising in stroke and cancer care and paediatrics.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, The Vale of Glamorgan, Bristol, Cardiff, Bath, Swindon

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

The role of Occupational Therapy in Hand Trauma

Hand therapy is crucial for restoring function and improving quality of life for individuals recovering from hand injuries, as it addresses both the physical limitations and psychological impacts of trauma.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

Case Study: Training

In this article Louise describes how she used training as part of her treatment programme with Rob during his rehabilitation following significant orthopaedic trauma. The case study brings to life how training can be an invaluable tool in a the rehabilitation journey.

Read more