Occupational therapy service

What the service offers

• Training and re-education
• 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
• Referral to other agencies
• Occupational therapy service developments

 

Training and re-education

We want to help you be independent with as little disruption to your normal daily life as possible. Therefore, training and re-education is important as many people can be helped to independent living without the need for equipment or adaptations.

Some examples are:

• Teaching new ways of carrying out everyday tasks
• Working with you to regain confidence following 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 falls prevention techniques which may include 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 joint protection techniques 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 assist with practical tasks, such as people handling techniques

 

Equipment

The correct equipment can promote independence, encourage normal movement and may prevent further deterioration.

We can provide a wide range of equipment to help you, or your carer assist you, with everyday tasks. There is no charge for this.

Items provided can range from simple equipment, to help with bathing or dressing, to more specialised equipment to help you 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 enable 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?

Unless you are told otherwise, equipment is provided on loan for as long as you need it.

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 equipment that you have been assessed as needing.

This means that instead of us supplying the equipment, you would purchase it yourself. However, we would need to be satisfied that you required the equipment and that you would be able to manage the direct payment appropriately.

Any direct payments that are not used appropriately would require to be paid back to us.

For more information on direct payments please contact Direct Payments Caledonia on 01463 224740.

 

What do I do if I no longer need the equipment?

We can arrange to uplift your equipment if it is no longer needed. Contact us if this is required.

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?

We are not responsible for providing any health equipment, such as:

Mobility equipment

• Scooters
• Walking sticks
• Walking frames (e.g. Zimmer)
• Wheelchairs - while we do not provide wheelchairs we can carry out a wheelchair assessment and help with the application to health

Equipment required to manage an illness or Health problem

• Commodes
• Footstools
• Urinals
• Incontinence Pads

Equipment to help with nursing care

• Specialised beds
• Bed rails (e.g. Cot sides)

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:

• whether it is classed as being a minor or major adaptation
• who owns the property

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

• Council houses
• Housing associations
• Private 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 through the care and repair service.

Major adaptations are the responsibility of the property owner. However, there are grants available from environmental health to assist with funding. You will require a report from an occupational therapist supporting the adaptation. Environmental health will decide the level of grant you are allowed.

If you are in privately rented accommodation, you will need permission from your landlord before any adaptation is funded.

If the adaptation is in a communal area, you will require to 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/information on welfare benefits and assistance with claims
• Advice/information on support groups/charities
• Offering support in coming to terms with disability

Referral to other agencies

Following your assessment it may be decided that 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 assistance you require.

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)

Occupational therapy service developments

We are continually developing our service to improve the support we can offer you.