Occupational therapy

The occupational therapy service provides advice, information and help to adults and children who have long-term physical disabilities.

They carry out assessments to see what special equipment and adaptations are needed to help the client live independently within their home in Lambeth.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy aims to help those with physical disabilities to achieve an high level of functions and independence.

This may include providing specialist equipment and adaptations or putting clients in contact with other agencies that can help.

We usually work with local health providers to assess need and provide support.

Occupational therapy helps people live more productive lives. It enables people with disabilities to carry out essential activities of daily living, with the aim of maintaining or improving independence.

Activities of daily living

Examples of essential activities include:

• managing personal care, e.g. getting to the bathroom and getting on and off the toilet
• safe mobility around your home to enable you to prepare meals, get in and out of bed and manage the steps and stairs
• enabling your carer to care for you

How can occupational therapists help?

Occupational therapists could help, or provide information about:

• raising the height of the bed or chair so that standing is much easier if a person has stiff, painful hips and knees
• making a home safer for getting around, e.g. by the installation of hand rails and ramps
• reducing worry and helping people raise their confidence about getting around or managing their disability
• providing information on ways to get support and helping people to contact other useful agencies
• helping carers to continue to maintain their caring responsibilities

For people able and wanting to fund their own equipment or adaptations, advice and information is available by contacting us or by contacting the Disabled Living Foundation.

Following an occupational therapy assessment, financially assessed grants may be available for major adaptations work, to meet your assessed needs.

How to use this service

Contact adult and community services on 020 7926 5555 and they will put you through to a referral and information officer who will arrange an assessment for you.