Occupational therapy has the power to change lives, helping people to remain independent for longer and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. This is the message of Occupational Therapy Week, a national awareness-raising campaign that takes place this year from 3rd to 9th November.
Caption: Sarah, one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s occupational therapists, organised a wheelchair-fitted drinking bottle and tube for one of their patients, so that he could have a drink whenever he wanted, helping to maintain his independence.
Phyllis Tuckwell has a team of occupational therapists who support patients at all stages of their illness. The local Hospice Care charity cares for people on its In-Patient Unit, at its Living Well sessions, and in patients’ own homes and care homes across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire. Many patients are referred to its care earlier in their illness, and need support managing everyday life, while others need help with more advanced symptoms.
“Occupational therapy is about helping patients to maintain their independence and continue doing the things they wish to do, so they can participate fully in life,” said Kirsten Holt, lead occupational therapist at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We assess how they are coping with managing their day-to-day activities, or occupations, and what support they need to continue doing the things that are important to them.”
By meeting with patients regularly, occupational therapists can work with them as their condition progresses, providing the support they need at the time, and looking ahead to prepare for what they will need in the future. This begins with assessing how living with their illness is affecting their everyday life. It can then lead to organising equipment such as ramps, standing aids or hoists for them, providing adapted cutlery, signposting them to places where they can access technology such as mobile phones and tablet computers which are adapted for their needs, or prescribing wheelchairs and specialist seating, which can include head and torso support. It can also involve working with patients’ carers to help them understand how best to support their loved ones’ care needs.
“Occupational therapy is about more than managing a condition — it’s about supporting each patient to remain themselves,” said Kirsten. "By providing a range of support, including equipment items, we can help them to continue to manage activities such as showering, eating, going outside and socialising independently. We can also refer them on to other teams, such as physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, counselling, or medical and nursing care. By working with them throughout their illness, and with their other care providers, we can reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and help patients to remain at home, empowered to manage their symptoms, and benefitting physically, emotionally and mentally from maintaining their independence for as long as possible.”
All our services are free, but this is only possible due to the generosity of our amazing community. The Government/NHS only provide 25% of our costs, so we need to raise over £25,000 every day to provide our vital services.
Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available to all those in our community who need us.
