Occupational Therapy

"Occupational Therapy promotes and restores health and well being in people of all ages through using purposeful occupation, as the process or as the ultimate goal. In this context, occupation is the meaningful use of activities, occupations, skills and life roles which enables people to function purposefully in their daily lives.” (College of Occupational Therapists 1994)

Occupational Therapists within the Social Work Service aim to enable individuals with long term and/or complex needs to live a full and independent life of their choice in the community and within the limits of their physical and social circumstances. Occupational Therapists strive to ensure that all people whose life has been affected by disability, illness or age related condition have appropriate access not only to the Social Work Services but also to public resources and facilities - including housing, health services, employment, education and leisure.

Occupational Therapists are seen an integral part of the Community Care Teams throughout the Highlands and are based locally within these teams. They liaise with colleagues from other agencies (both statutory and voluntary) to achieve this.

Referrals to Occupational Therapists within the Social Work Service are received from any source and people are assessed in their own homes.

Once an assessment is carried out by the Occupational Therapist, the following can be offered:

• Advice & support related to the disability or illness to enable a person to live at home 
• Advice and support to a carer(s) regarding the disability or illness to enable them to care for the person
• Advice on environmental changes required to allow a person to live at home e.g. housing, major adaptations
• Provision of equipment for complex needs
• Care management of complex needs
• Referral to other services that are required
• Rehabilitation in activities of daily living: washing, dressing, meal preparation etc.
• Provision of small pieces of equipment and minor adaptations
  

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