Occupational therapists help children and young people with autistic spectrum disorder to participate in everyday tasks and cope with busy environments
Occupational therapy has a unique approach to service users
Its beliefs and values have been drawn together and incorporated into the College of Occupational Therapists’ Curriculum Guidance for Pre-Registration Education (COT 2009d):
Occupational therapists are the only AHP working in significant numbers in social service organisations
Disabled service users are supported to access and remain in their own homes. Occupational therapists work with them to adapt their environment in order that they can carry out their chosen activities safely in their own homes thus reducing the need for complex and costly care packages or admission to residential care (DH 2008).
Leisure activities that provide intellectual and social stimulation protect against dementia. Even small amounts of mental, physical and social activity matter when accumulated.The importance of occupational therapy to people with long term conditions
Occupational therapists work in a large range of areas where their contribution to the safe management of long term conditions has significantly reduced the need for further health and social care interventions; enabling service users to have an increased independence and quality of life. (AHPF 2005)
'Adults who are physically active have a 20% - 30% reduced risk of premature death and up to 50% reduced risk of developing the major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers.' (Chief Medical Officer, 2004)
The promotion of good health for older people reduces their need for more costly medical interventions and improves quality of life. Occupational therapists have been identified as key to promoting mental health and well being in the NICE Public Health Guidance (2008) based on the research completed by Florence Clark which evidences demonstrable savings.
A range of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) help assist in reducing falls including occupational therapists
These services include specific exercise programmes and safety awareness around the home. There have been reported success rates of over a 50% reduction of subsequent falls for those receiving these types of interventions.
The cost of fractures following a fall in the elderly is significantly high and is borne by both health and social care.
