What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) supports people to overcome the challenges of completing everyday tasks and activities.

Occupations are the tasks and activities that we need or choose to do – from personal care to eating, cleaning and hobbies – that are essential for our wellbeing throughout all our stages in life.

OTs assess the many factors that may affect a person’s ability to engage in tasks and activities and the challenges that this may pose to their care staff. Intervention aims to improve a person’s engagement in these tasks and activities and help the person’s care staff, which is likely to reduce the need for more invasive treatment, such as medication.

Referral to Occupational Therapy

It may not always be obvious when a resident may benefit from occupational therapy,

so we would always welcome a discussion. Appropriate OT referrals may include when an individual is:

  • Withdrawn or socially isolated

  • Increasingly distressed

  • Struggling with engagement in activities of daily living (e.g. personal care, meals)

What can you expect from the referral?

Assessment: The OT will gather information via discussions with the person, their care staff and their family members. They may read notes/behaviour charts and speak with other services involved in the person’s care. The OT may also undertake observational assessment of the person’s engagement in tasks and activities.

Intervention: Following an assessment period, the OT will provide care home staff with written recommendations of how they may support the individual in their tasks and activities.

Intervention may also consist of staff consultation/education. Review: After a 6-week period, a review will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the intervention and make further recommendations where required.

How to Refer

Referrals can be made using the paper Care Home Liaison referral form.

Contact telephone numbers

South Lakes: 01530 462 597

Furness: 01229 404 365

Lancaster and Morecambe: 01524 55 0154

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have some concerns, questions or need advice on our services, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 234 6088 or email PALS@lscft.nhs.uk

Feeling low and need someone to talk to?

Call 0800 915 4640

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm Saturday to Sunday 12noon to Midnight

Need urgent help?

Call 0800 953 0110 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

This leaflet is available in alternative languages and formats upon request. Please speak to a member of our staff to arrange this.