Rehabilitation Services
What is Occupational Therapy?
‘Occupational Therapists work with people of all ages, helping them to carry out the activities that they need or want to do in order to lead healthy and fulfilling lives’
British Association of Occupational Therapists
How can Occupational Therapy help you or your staff?
Occupational Therapy can benefit anybody who is having difficulty with some aspect of daily living. This could be any anxiety or stress which is preventing someone living or working effectively, or other issues – such as the fear of falls – which are restricting daily life.
Stress Management
Stress can be good – it can motivate us to perform well in life and give us the energy to cope with crises. However, it becomes a problem when it prevents us from living and working effectively. It can cause physical problems, emotional disturbance, and an incapacity to deal with the demands of everyday life. In many cases, it can lead to sickness absence and even loss of employment.
Stress Management involves four main areas:
- 1. Lessening demands;
- 2. Improving coping skills;
- 3. Changing our thinking; and
- 4. Reducing the stress reaction.
Throughout the six sessions, a stress reduction plan is developed which will enable participants to manage their stress more effectively.
The sessions can be one-to-one at the participant’s home, or may be offered as a series of group sessions with others experiencing similar difficulties. The group sessions can be delivered in the workplace as part of a staff well-being programme.
Anxiety Management
Everyone experiences anxiety at some time, but it only becomes a problem when it interferes with people’s ability to live their lives.
Anxiety Management uses a cognitive behavioural approach to help people understand how it affects them and how to overcome its symptoms. People can learn how to change physical reactions, alter their thinking and practice specific relaxation techniques.
Following an initial consultation with the OT, participants follow a six week programme, either as one to one sessions in their own home, or in six group sessions with other people facing similar difficulties.
Independent Living
Sometimes we find it difficult to get out of the bath, the chair or the bed, but are not aware that there are simple techniques or pieces of equipment that can make life so much easier.
Perhaps the fear of having a fall is affecting daily life? The OT can help identify risks and hazards in the home, show how to get up safely, and recommend some changes to the home environment to improve confidence and feelings of safety.