Occupational therapy evidence - fact sheets
Occupational therapists (OTs) can support GPs in their practice by enabling patients to increase or enhance their functional and mental abilities that may have been affected by ageing, illness or disability
Occupational therapy has a unique philosophy that acknowledges the link between what people do and their health and wellbeing. To the profession ‘occupation’ means all the activities a person undertakes, enjoys and values. More importantly, everything we do - our daily occupations - help to define our identity and role. If an individual is unable to do what is important to them and fulfil their role, their health and wellbeing can suffer. Occupational therapists can address this by enabling individuals to find ways to do those activities that are important to them.
Occupational therapy evidence fact sheets
Occupational therapists can save money for commissioners of older people's services
Occupational therapists provide cost effective solutions for older people's care and can support older people with reablement, preventing falls, remaining safe and independent at home and public health. Occupational therapists’ training includes understanding the medical, physical and psychological impact of disability or injury, as well as rehabilitative techniques in restoring and aiding recovery. Occupational therapists are therefore pivotal in ensuring reablement services are efficient, effective, and reduce dependency (College of Occupational Therapists 2010).
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Occupational therapists enable children to participate in activities at home and in school
Occupational therapists are health and social care professionals who are specifically and uniquely trained to address the relationship between occupation, physical and mental wellbeing. They help children and young people up to 18 years of age to access education and engage in activities at home and in school. Occupational therapists are one of the few professionals to work with children across all settings - in the home, at school, and in the community - enabling children to develop their skills and increase their independence.
Occupational therapists provide cost effective solutions for mental health services
Occupational therapists work with service users to help them to regain and maintain a personally satisfying routine of everyday activities – this could include self care, leisure or work activities - that they need or want to do, in order to help people experiencing mental health problems to live life their way. By working in this way, occupational therapists can ensure service users choose health-enhancing activity and alter lifestyle habits such as smoking, diet and exercise.
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