Occupational Therapist Appointment

dippydoodah
dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
edited 5. Mar 2010, 06:43 in Living with Arthritis archive
Good morning to everyone.

Ive been given an appointment for Monday to see an OT at the hospital.

Can someone tell me what they help with? Is it to give me information about utensils to help around the house ie opening jars etc or is there more to it than that? Does she test my abilities, ie strength?

Im new to all this so Im still learning about it all.
Thanks
Caroline x

Comments

  • chile168
    chile168 Member Posts: 384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Caroline,

    Wow brilliant Im so happy for you as the OT will be able to help you so much with equipment you may need to make your life a little easier. The OT may also talk to you about difficulties you are having with tasks at home or may do a home visit and will then give you the right equipment and or support you on requesting adaptations.


    My OT is brilliant and Im so happy that you will be seeing one. If you drive and don't have a blue badge ask her about one and whether she can support your application.

    Good luck hun xxx let us know how it went.

    Eve
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,881
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Caroline

    OTs are really useful contacts to have - I am pleased for you and that it is soon.

    You just tell her your probs as Eve said and she will have some ideas to help you.

    Take care

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, Im guessing that having an appointment with the OT is a good thing to get judging from your responses. I have to say thats relieved a little of the nervousness I was feeling about it, especially as I know it'll benefit me.

    I'll ask about the blue badge, I am also thinking of asking about whether she can support my application to move house closer to my family. I live in Greater Manchester but all my family (3 brothers, a sister, my parents and 10 nephews/nieces) all live in West Lancs. Im requesting a relocation to be nearer to them for help and support as they have trouble getting through the town centre.

    Im a full time mum so any little things to help around the house would be wonderful. I know she can't help with this but my favourite task at the moment is the fight with the oven door! Its so stiff to open.

    Thanks for getting back to me, I'm kind of looking forward to the appointment now x
  • chile168
    chile168 Member Posts: 384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dippy,

    Well hun, Im sure she can because when I applied to be moved on medical grounds, it was the OT who assessed and agreed that I should be moved. I moved within 9 months, still in the same area though.

    I don't see why not because as you say they will support you and provide you with CARE so definitely ask her, as the English say, nothing ventured nothing gained :)

    Ill be rooting for you hun and hope that after your appointment you're gonna come on here telling us all about it.

    Wishing you loads of luck xx
  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, When you get seen by the OT they will ask you questions about what you struggle with.
    Remember the appointment is for you & to help with the help you need.
    Dont be afraid to ask questions & they will give you all the advice on what adaptions they can provide, like me social services are also providing some equipment that the NHS cant provide.
    They can also give you a catalogue for equipment that you can buy for yourself. can be a bit expensive but once you get an idea of what will help you can look around for it cheaper.
    They can also sort out splints etc for you & should certainly help with a relocation & your blue badge, also they check your claiming all the benefits your entitled too.plus 2nd bannister rails, bath rails , kitchen aids & bed aids are all provided.
    Also A...s the catalogue store do a section of disabled aids. Thats where i got my electric tin opener from & next on my list is an electric jar opener & more rails.
    Good luck & please let us know how you get on.
    luv debs
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks :)

    I'll be sure to let you know how I get on and thanks for the replies, its appreciated.

    Caroline x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck with the OT visit Caroline!

    they are usually very helpful and are a good link with rheumatologists and GPs so maybe getting a letter to support your housing transfer might be worth considering.
    The OT will assess all your physical needs around the house and provide you with any aids etc; although you might have to buy some of them yourself....

    Irisx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Its amazing what they can do. Help with equipment, aides like splints etc and suggestions for adapting things. Also, they can support grant applications, it they think you need alterations that are expensive. They can take you in for a day and assess the things you have problems with and show you special equipement that you can try out.

    Have a good appointment! :D Love Sue
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have been to see my OT today.

    When I went for the first session I thought that would be it .... that hour would be the whole thing ........ but I was amazed. I am having about 8 sessions, most at the hospital but she is going to come out to my house and look at some things for me.

    The first session was putting together an idea of my problems, and then putting together an action plan of what I wanted/needed help with and what the OT could do. I was amazed when she said I would get about 8 sessions!!

    WE have concentrated first on my hand and wrist and this was what was causing so much of my pain. I have had a resting splint made and also a working splint prescribed. Today we were looking at my grip strength (apparently I am normal :wink: ) and sorting out a few issues.

    Next time I am going to be in their kitchen and getting assessed for how I do things like food preparation, and how my movements can be made more economical to help with my tiredness. Apparently we adapt things we do without realising, and their job is to see when these adaptations hinder us and to try and find helpful adaptations as well.

    hope that isn't too much info ... it's just so fantastic to be dealing with someone who looks at what I CAN do rather than what I can't do :D

    good luck!!!
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks! Thats fab that you're getting someone to help rather than fob you off with leaflets or pills. Ive started to write little things down so I don't forget.

    Sounds like you've had a really good session with the OT and that they're really helping.

    Will let you know how I get on :)

    Caroline x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I'm feeling OK today, and I think I got stressed out and overtired.

    Joy, I'm sorry that you have got so much pain and hope that they can soon do something to help. Its not easy, is it. heat on my neck seems to help me most, and my physio suggested putting something hot on and then something cold, doing that a few times and see if it helps! Not that easy with the neck, is it. Good luck.

    I thing the neuro is the appointment that I'm worried most about, but its in the late morning and Jerry can come with me, which is so much better, as he remembers things, also, when I'm asked if something hurts or if I can do things, I usually end up saying I can if I try and stuff like that, then kick myself later!

    I think my physio might have hurried them up about the appointment, as the phone rang about an hour after I got home and I know she thought the wait was a bit long, as she wants to get on with my treatment and has done as much as she can without knowing what the neuro people say. She wants to arrange hydrotherapy, but if neuro find something they have their own team and they take over all your care, including physio.

    Well, once again a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughts and good wishes, they are working well as I am feeling a better and more rested today. I think the strain of just talking makes you tired. :roll: The hospital is about 12 miles or so each way, so thats a lot of driving too!

    Lots of Love
    Sue xxxx