Occupational therapy service
What the service offers
Rehabilitation and enablement- Occupational therapy assessment
- Equipment
- How long can I keep the equipment?
- Direct payments
- What do I do if I no longer need the equipment?
- Is there any equipment you will not provide?
- Adaptations
- Funding
- Information and advice
- Contact us
- Referral to other agencies
- Occupational therapy service developments
For more information or to ask for an assessment for occupational therapy services, please call 08456 081206.
Rehabilitation and enablement
We want to help you be independent with as little disruption to your normal daily life as possible. Therefore, rehabilitation and enablement through training and re-education is important. Many people can be helped to live independently without the need for equipment or adaptations.
Some examples of how we can help you are:
teaching you new ways of doing everyday tasks
- working with you to regain confidence after time in hospital, such as getting in and out of the bath
- education of energy conservation techniques to manage fatigue and improve your ability to carry out important activities
- training in technigues to prevent falls such as being aware of hazards in your home and what you can do to make it safer. We might suggest you lift loose rugs in case you trip
- training in techniques to protect your joints to maintain range of movement and reduce strain on damaged joints
- educating on positioning – giving advice to parents on the correct seating position for their child to promote normal movement patterns
- training and supporting carers to help with practical tasks, such as people handling techniques
Equipment
The correct equipment can promote independence, encourage normal movement and may prevent further deterioration.
We have a range of specialist equipment to help you, or your carer assist you, with everyday tasks. There is no charge for this. Alternatively, there are many everyday items - such as electric can openers and large handled cutlery - stocked by local stores which can make your life easier. We can give advice if you are thinking about making a purchase.
Specialist items can range from small equipment to help with bathing or dressing, to larger equipment to help you get up and down stairs.
Some examples of how equipment can help are:
providing equipment following hip replacement surgery to prevent dislocation while healing takes place
- provision of a specialised bathlift to help a parent to bath a child in a supported position
- provision of a hoist fixed to the ceiling to help carers to safely move a person from wheelchair to toilet
Equipment provided must be because you have been assessed as needing it, not just that it is your preference.
How long can I keep the equipment?
Equipment is provided on loan for as long as you need it, unless you are told otherwise.
If there are any problems with the equipment you should contact us to arrange repair or replacement.
Direct payments
Under the Direct Payments Act (1996) we can make arrangements to make a direct payment for you to purchase the specialist equipment you have been assessed as needing.
This means that instead of us supplying the equipment, you would buy it yourself. However, we must be satisfied that you needed the equipment and that you are able to manage the direct payment appropriately.
Any direct payments that are not used appropriately must be paid back to us.
More information about direct payments is on How do I buy my own care?
What do I do if I no longer need the equipment?
We can arrange to collect your equipment if it is no longer needed. Please contact us if you need some equipment collecting.
Some items may not be suitable to return for health and safety reasons. Your occupational therapist or assistant will be able to advise you.
Is there any equipment that you will not provide?
There are types of equipment which we would not provide. But we may be able to give you advice on where you can get these.
Examples of equipment we do not provide include:
Mobility equipment
- scooters
- walking sticks
- walking frames (e.g. Zimmer)
- wheelchairs
Equipment required to manage an illness or health problem
- commodes
- footstools
- urinals
- incontinence pads
Equipment to help with nursing care
- specialised beds
- bed rails -such as cot sides
Everyday items which can be got from shops
- large handled kitchen utensils
- kettles
- electric can openers
Adaptations
The outcome of the assessment may be that an adaptation is required to meet your needs. In this case, the occupational therapist or assistant will make a recommendation for the adaptation to be installed.
The process for arranging and funding the adaptation will vary depending on:
Minor adaptations
These are small adaptations that are inexpensive and easily completed. They include the installation of grabrails, external handrails, and banisters.
Major adaptations
These are adaptations that may require altering the structure or fabric of the building. Depending on the work involved, it may require planning permission and / or a building warrant. They include shower installations, permanent ramps and step alterations.
An adaptation will only be recommended if you are assessed as needing it, not just that it is your preference.
Funding for adaptations
Council houses
Council houses
The housing service will fund adaptations recommended by the occupational therapist or assistant.
Housing associations
Housing associations apply for grants from Scottish Homes to fund adaptations recommended by an occupational therapist or assistant.
Private houses
Minor adaptations recommended by the occupational therapist or assistant are funded by Aberdeenshire Council.
Major adaptations are the responsibility of the property owner. However, there are grants available from environmental health to help with funding. You need a report from an occupational therapist supporting the adaptation. Environmental health decide the level of grant you can be awarded.
If you are in privately rented accommodation, you need permission from your landlord before any adaptation is funded.
If the adaptation is in a communal area, you must get written permission from all affected neighbours / property owners before any adaptation is funded.
Information and advice
Our occupational therapy team can give information and advice on issues relating to your illness or disability.
This may include:
- information about your particular disability or health problem
- advice on other services that are available to you or your carer
- advice on social and leisure activities and how to access them
- advice on re-housing due to medical needs
- advice or information on welfare benefits and help with claims
- advice or information on support groups / charities
- offering support in coming to terms with disability
Contact us
To make a referral, or for further information, please call us on:
08456 081206
between 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday.
Referral to other agencies
Following your assessment we may decide your needs would be best met by another service.
Our occupational therapy team works closely with other social work, health and care staff. We can make contact with other professionals, services and agencies that may be able to offer you the support and help you need.
These may include:
- GPs
- district nurses
- physiotherapists
- home care supervisors
- care managers
- health visitors
- day centres
- community alarm
- meals at home
- voluntary organisations
- mobility and rehab service (for wheelchairs)
