Has anyone received an Occupational Therapist Assessment?

I'm wondering what kind of help they can give. Thank you.

[Hidden]

I had an Occupational Therapist assessment right at the beginning just after I was diagnosed. She taught me Pacing Therapy at my local CFS Clinic. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). It proved invaluable to me with me daily managing of Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME.

(((hug))) xxx

Libs

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My local CFS Clinic is too far for me to travel too. Were there any other suggestions the Occupational Therapist made I wonder. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

When I had my assessment she offered suggestions on how to rearrange my daily routines, hence learning Pacing Therapy. I had to record everything I did on a typical day and then she restructured it enabling me to rest in between two activities and then building up until bed time. Eventually my entire day had been formulated with alternate activity and rest periods which eventually became automatic to me. I live my life with Fibro like this every day without thinking now, it works very well for me and I have reduced my medications to minimal now as a result because my Fibro is more controlled too.

She checked my environment and any possible difficulties, fortunately there weren't any that I couldn't manage myself or hadn't adapted myself already, which were satisfactory.

For depression your GP would treat you for this not your OT.

Your OT (if working in a CFS Clinic) would advise you about CFS, mine did. I am not sure ordinarily whether an OT would advise on this if hospital based. You would have to enquire about that at your hospital if there is no clinic available in your locality.

Hope this helps. (((hug))) xxx

Libs

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again Libs.

[jom277]

Occupational therapist can check the environment that you live in and see what you are having difficulties with. They can try to advise you to do things differently. They can provide aids, such as hand rails. I have a second stair rail, a bath board and am on the waiting list for a disabled facilities grant (dfg) for a wet room. I can't get in the bath and I need help with a shower. They can get stair lifts. For wheelchair users they can organise ramps for doors, door widening, etc.

For all the above you have to be eligible of substantial or high need under Fair Access to Care Eligibility Guidelines, which you can look up on the net.

[Hidden in reply to jom277]

Thank you for this, and information - I won't meet the eligibility then to make a request for an Occupation Health Assessment - I was thinking along the lines of CFS & depression also. Your reply has saved me the effort of requesting an assessment, only to be refused.

[sue57]

My OT was great!! Couldn't have had a more caring person. She didn't judge me in any way, just asked what problems I was having. I ended up with a wet room for my bathroom with a shower and body drier, a cos-o-mat toilet that washes and dries me, grab rails wherever I wanted them and a better back step. I couldn't have a stair lift as my stairs are too narrow, but that was the only downside. A through-the-floor lift was suggested but I didn't really fancy that!! Try it....I think they're great!! XXXX

[Hidden in reply to sue57]

Thanks Sue.

[fibro]

I recently saw one from social services, but she could see I had put most things in place myself to make my life easier and more comfortable, but I remember seeing one once when I was in hospital, they wanted to make sure you could make a coffee whilst using crutches lol I was younger back then and was able to move around a lot more. those were the days when an operation would take away the pain.

I'm currently seeing a counsellor but like all the others, unless they can help get rid of the pain, I am just going through the paces f more appointments, when I would rather be snuggled up in bed.

the OP via the ass don't even give help or advice with maintaining your home. they no longer help with cleaners etc. but if you say you can manage in whatever way that makes it easier there isn't much more they can do. just like every other department they have cutbacks and the items they gave me 10 years ago, they now expect you to pay for yourself .

I was told by my GP. it would be quicker to get a social services assessment f I contacted the council myself, which I did and they arranger handrails for me to get in and out f the front and rear doors. everything else I had already bought. but it's handy to have an assessment is that its another record (backup)of your condition xxxx

[Sarah-Jane]

I saw one at the request of my work thanks to my migraines. They thought Medical Retirement might be an idea. Not offered now though. Anyway, the one I had was great and a big help asking what I needed and we talked it all through. She then told work what I needed. Her boss took over from her when she left and what a difference! I was in floods of tears. She made out that I was blagging it! That no way was I suffering from FM as its muscle weakness! My Doctor nearly hit the roof and wrote on my behalf preventing work listening to her. The only good thing she said was 'see a Rheumatologist and get yourself properly diagnosed'. Guess what, he just looked at me, the notes my doctor had sent plus my lists of ailments and signed me off as having FM [he did do a couple of minor tests but basically believed my doctor!]. Stupid woman.

I have been advised to get social services to allocate me a worker and that they will assess me.

Good luck. Happy 2013!