Listed below are some useful links and information about occupational therapy and case management:
Definition of occupational therapy
Occupational therapy gives people the “skills for the job of living” necessary for “living life to its fullest.”
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists defines occupational therapy as a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists (OTs) achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to live meaningful lives or by modifying the environment, to better support participation.
A definition of case management
(Case Management Society-UK)
A collaborative process which assesses, plans, implements, co-ordinates, monitors and evaluates the options and services required to meet an individuals health, care, educational and employment needs, using communication and available resources to promote quality cost effective outcomes.
About occupational therapy
(British Association of Occupational Therapists)
“Helping you to live life your way”
Our aim is to enable people to achieve as much as they can for themselves, so they get the most out of life. When people cannot do things which are important to them – such as getting dressed, having a shower, socialising, undertaking a hobby or going to work – an occupational therapist can help them in many ways, based on each individual person’s needs and lifestyle.
Their work could involve:
- giving advice on how the home or workplace environment can be changed (for example, ensuring wheelchair ramps are installed)
- helping people to learn new ways of doing things (for example, teaching someone with reduced stamina how to conserve energy when performing daily activities)
- adapting materials or equipment (for example, adjusting a knife for someone after they have lost hand dexterity)
- consulting in schools to help children overcome writing difficulties and other learning challenges
- helping someone suffering from depression to return to the workplace
- helping an employer make appropriate reasonable adjustments to the workplace or client’s duties
- assessing for and arranging provision of suitable indoor or outdoor wheelchairs
- getting appropriate equipment to enable a return to work (for example, insulated gloves, automatic gear box)
- facilitating access to timely and appropriate treatment.
(This list is not exhaustive but an example of the range of intervention activities that may be used.)