This leaflet provides you with information regarding the role of Occupational Therapy within the Older Peoples Mental Health Wards. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet, please ask a member of staff.
What is Occupational Therapy?
When you experience mental health issues, daily activities can become more difficult to manage or they may stop all together. The focus of Occupational Therapy is to help towards your recovery through establishing or resuming a healthy pattern of meaningful activities.
Why do I need Occupational Therapy?
If you have been affected by changes in your mental health or circumstances around you, you may be experiencing difficulties in the following areas:
Looking after yourself:
Taking care of your general wellbeing and safety-your physical and mental health.
Managing your basic personal needs, such as eating, washing and dressing.
Coping with domestic tasks, such as shopping and cooking.
Doing things you enjoy:
Developing your interests, relaxing and having fun
Enjoying activities that meet your physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs.
Being with others and maintaining a social network
Being productive:
Caring for your home and for others-your family, your friends and your pets.
Being part of your local community.
What are the benefits of Occupational therapy?
Occupational Therapy focuses on both resuming and developing the skills you need to help you with your recovery.
What you do changes how you feel. Feeling able to manage the things that are important to you, and being as independent as possible can have a positive effect on your health.
Occupational Therapy staff can help you identify needs relating to these areas, and work with you to set your own goals and consider how you meet them.
What to expect whilst you are with us?
During the first few days on the ward an Occupational Therapist will introduce themselves and gather some initial information in order to understand your needs. This will include information about the place where you live, your social situation, your mobility and what activities you like to do.
During the coming period a number of Occupational Therapy assessments will be completed to identify your goals towards recovery. From our first assessment we will discuss your goals and expectations and begin to plan your discharge from hospital.
We will work closely with you and your family/carers to create an individualised goal plan which will be shared with the rest of the team. This will also be included in your care plan.
Your Occupational Therapist will work closely with the ward multi-disciplinary team and be present at multi-disciplinary planning meetings when appropriate.
Whilst on the ward you will see a member of the Occupational Therapy Team regularly including for 1-1 sessions, activities, engagement within the local community and home assessments
Once you are discharged from the ward and if it is felt Occupational Therapy would be of benefit as an outpatient your ward Occupational Therapist will arrange this to ensure continuity of care.
How do I contact Occupational Therapy?
We aim to provide the best possible service and staff will be happy to answer any of the questions you may have.
If you have any suggestions or comments about the service, please either speak to the in-patient Occupational Therapist or contact the Occupational Therapy Team on telephone number 0191 4453125.