Assessment
A Neurological Occupational Therapy assessment can take place in the clinic or the home environment.
Our skilled Neurological Occupational Therapist will perform an individualised assessment which will include a subjective ‘history taking’ aspect followed by objective functional assessment.
Neurological Rehabilitation under the care of an Occupational Therapist will consist of supporting and facilitating an individual to be as independent as possible in their daily life. For some, this may involve focusing on improving reduced cognitive functions such as memory and planning for others it may be more focused on removing physical barriers to independence through poor designed housing, assistive technology or equipment and adaptation provision. Intervention is always goal orientated and focused on maximising and enabling independence.
The initial assessment will include observation, passive movement of limbs / trunk / head and functional analysis through a range of postural sets including lying, sitting, standing, and walking.
Functional assessment such as observation of daily living tasks may also be completed.
Physical Assessment and Rehabilitation
OT are experts in assessing the physical challenges experienced by individuals with a neurological impairment; how their body has been affected and how their environment impacts on them. By assessing the impact of the injury an Occupational Therapist can identify ways to help and maximise independence in
- Washing and Dressing
- Mobility and Transfers
- Time Management
- Meal Planning
- Shopping and Cooking
- Cleaning and household management
We recommend techniques and / or strategies, to promote independence and manage fatigue, suggest changes within the environment and prescribe equipment to maximise independence, thereby reducing dependence on others.
Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation
After Brain injury assessment of a person’s thinking skills is important. Problems with memory, attention, problem solving, planning, and organising can have a big impact with how people cope with everyday life.
Through detailed clinical observation and the use of standardised assessments, we can identify specific strategies and evidenced based treatment techniques which means our interventions are more effective at targeting problem areas.
Brain injury can also effect vision and perception, OT’S can support individuals and their families to set up the home environment and learn compensatory techniques and strategies to promote independence.
Goal Setting and Treatment Planning
An important part of the neuro rehabilitation process is goal setting and treatment planning. Our Occupational Therapists are experts in setting meaningful goals with clients to focus their rehabilitations on the areas that are important to them. Clear goals help clients engage, recognise progress, and enhance quality of life.
At OT Rehab Northeast Ltd we design client centred rehab programmes and support family and care support staff to implement the strategies. We use clear documentation, alongside a variety of outcome measures; to demonstrate client progress and evaluate our input to ensure it is effective over time.
Training family members or support workers to complete tasks with clients in a therapeutic way is an important part of our role. It makes the rehabilitation process more effective because clients can practice tasks more frequently in a variety of settings to achieve their goals more quickly.
We can provide advice on specialist equipment to address mobility issues, our Occupational Therapists can identify the mobility issues facing our clients and can recommend the right equipment and provision and training to equipping individuals with the skills needed to use it effectively. This may include powered mobility, hoists, wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Assessment is usually completed within 1 hour. However, in complex cases this may take longer. The objective findings of the assessment will be fed back to you / your relative and will form the basis of the subsequent treatment plan.