Occupational therapy

Occupational Therapy enables people to achieve or maintain health, well being and life satisfaction through participation in occupation.

Some key facts about Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with a range of people including those who have physical, mental and/or social problems, either from birth or as the result of accident, illness or ageing and are aware of the impact that change in circumstances can have on individuals' independence and confidence.

OTs will work with a person based on the individual's unique lifestyle and preferences, sometimes modifying the environment surrounding the person. Enhancing someone's ability to participate in everyday activities is a central part of occupational therapy.

OTs recognise and understand that everyone's lifestyle is different and how each person chooses to live is up to them. They will consider the importance of how a person's physical, mental and social needs will impact on their independence and help them to achieve the goals that are most important to them.

Occupational Therapy helps to identify difficulties and problems in the following areas:

• Personal care, for example, getting to the bathroom and transferring on/off the toilet
• Moving safely around your home, for example, getting in/out of bed, managing the steps and stairs
• Enabling an individual to take up or stay in paid or unpaid work
• Enabling your carer to care for you

Who provides Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists work for both Adult Social Care Services and Children and Families in Plymouth City Council and the NHS Trusts.

How do we decide who gets a service?

Occupational Therapists will talk to you about your needs - we call this an assessment. We use 'Fair Access to Care Services' guidance from the Department of Health to help us work out who is eligible for a service. To find out more, please see the help from adult social care service page.

For people able and wanting to fund their own equipment or adaptations, advice and information is available. Financially assessed grants may be available for major adaptation work. See the related pages equipment and adaptations for more information.