Carewell launches to help support carers' energy management and the people they care for
Created with input from Carers UK, Bupa and MEND, Carewell encourages carers to make positive changes to their lifestyle so they’re better able to care. It combines tips from health experts and carers themselves in an easy-to-use online hub which used easily as time allows.
Under the overall banner of ‘energy to care’ the site aimes to help carers feel more energetic and better able to care as a result. Content covers four key areas:
Occupational therapists work with children, their families and school/nurseries to help children make the most of their abilities and develop independence in every day activities
Occupational therapists aim to maximise children’s development opportunities to support independence in every day tasks, learning, play and to access the national curriculum. They also help to maximise independence, access and safety at home. OTs see children experiencing difficulty with every day tasks due to physical and developmental difficulties, delays and disabilities.
A simple of definition of occupational therapy is that it helps people engage as independently as possible in the activities (occupations) which enhance their health and wellbeing
Occupational therapists, with the assistance of OT support staff, help people of all ages who have physical, mental or social problems as a result of accident, illness or ageing, to do the things they want to do. These could be daily activities that many of us take for granted, from grocery shopping or brushing your teeth, to more complex activities such as caring for children, succeeding in studies or work, or maintaining a healthy social life.
Occupational therapists work with people who are trying to return to work to identify their work goals and also the social, organisational and personal barriers which might complicate their return to work
Once the goals and barriers have been identified the occupational therapist can make appropriate supportive interventions. Social barriers can include:
- prejudice
- stigma
- expectations of colleagues
- peer pressure or ‘fitting in’
- assumptions
- potential changes to family roles and dynamics if someone returns to work
- loss of existing networks and friends e.g. support groups, health care services.
Organisational barriers can include:
Occupational therapists help people with long term conditions get the most from life
Long term conditions include:
- Stroke, traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions
- Dementia
- Limb loss, arthritis and other musculo-skeletal disorders
- Cancer, HIV and AIDS
- Cardiac and pulmonary conditions
When working with people with long term conditions occupational therapists focus on:
Occupational therapy can help people who have had a stroke to regain some movement and live independently
Occupational therapy is an important part of almost every stroke rehabilitation programme. In fact there is evidence that patients who receive occupational therapy after a stroke are more likely to maintain or regain independence in daily life. Occupational therapists can:
