Occupational therapy

What is Occupational Therapy

Our Social Care Occupational Therapy Service provides specialist strength-based person-centred assessment, support, advice and guidance for residents of Derby to enable then to live independently so they can achieve their personal goals.

Occupational therapists are highly trained and professionally regulated health and care professionals who specialise in helping people of all ages overcome challenges that affect their ability to carry out everyday activities. They work holistically, considering not only a person’s medical condition but also their environment, routines, and personal goals. By supporting individuals to regain independence, occupational therapists promote dignity, open new opportunities, and enhance people`s overall wellbeing.

Occupational therapists working in social care specialise in adapting tasks and environments to support people to do the things that matter to them. Their role focuses on enabling individuals to:

• Carry out everyday activities with greater ease
• Remain safe and independent within their own homes
• Preventing the need for social care.

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Who do we support

Our occupational therapy service is for adults (18+) and children with long-term health conditions or disabilities who need help or support with everyday tasks. Our aim is to enable you to do things for yourself, giving you choice and control, so you are safe, independent, and comfortable in your own home. We can help make everyday tasks accessible and more manageable for you.

This can include: 

• Entering and leaving the home
• Washing, bathing, and using the toilet
• Using living, sleeping, and kitchen areas
• Preparing food and cooking
• Reducing risks of falls in the home environment
• Reducing risk to carers who are supporting you
• Accessing meaningful community activities

We offer advice and assessments in your own home, or in the community aiming to maximise independence and wellbeing.

How to get an assessment

Please get in touch so we can arrange an assessment with you.

Types of support (Subject to eligibility)

• Equipment provision
• Minor home adaptations
• Mobility advice, equipment, and risk assessments
• Guidance for carers providing physical assistance
• Recommendations for funding for major adaptations
• Referrals and signposting to other relevant agencies

Reablement after hospital discharge

Derby City Council have an integrated health and care reablement service for anyone discharged for hospital who is likely to require social care support. The multi-disciplinary team with nurse, occupational therapist and physiotherapist work with you and your home carers to get the best outcomes for you after your hospital experience.  

They also have a rapid response service if your health needs change to prevent the need for you to return to hospital.

For more information, visit the Derbyshire Community Health Services website.

How to access support to help yourself - Equipment

Struggling with daily activities?

If you or someone you care for could use some extra support but don’t know what equipment might help, these websites and organisations are a great place to start. 

Living Made Easy www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/

This is a useful and trusted comparison site for daily living equipment. 

Run by the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) which is a national charity providing advice and information on independent living. They have a helpline if you need free, impartial advice about mobility products or other types of daily living equipment.

Call them on 0300 999 0004 (Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm).

Provides free, impartial advice on gadgets, equipment, and adaptations. Covers everything from kitchen aids and bathroom supports to mobility equipment.

Ideal if you’re unsure what equipment suits your needs

Parkinson's UK https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/daily-living-equipment

Tailored advice for people living with Parkinson’s.

Includes equipment for personal care, eating/drinking, medication management, and mobility. Helpful if you need condition-specific guidance

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/

Useful for families needing advice or ideas for equipment to safety.

Medequip https://www.medequip-uk.com/contact/derby-city

Provide a community equipment loans service to the Derby City area following an assessment from Occupational Therapy staff. They also have equipment available to self-purchase on the website.

Returning equipment to Medequip

If you have equipment loaned to you that you no longer need, Medequip can arrange a free collection, to recycle and help others in need. To find out more visit the returning equipment page on the Medequip website or contact the Medequip Derby City Service Centre on 01773 604426 or email derbycity@medequip-uk.com

How to Access Support to Help Yourself - Minor adaptations

Minor adaptations

Minor adaptations to your home, costing less than £1000 are available at no cost, if they are preventing the need for social care. For example, a grab rail in the bathroom can prevent a fall.

Self-purchase minor adaptations

Trusted Traders https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/trusted-trader/trusted-trader.aspx

Derbyshire Trusted Traders can be approached to find local trades persons to provide jobs at a fair price. Search for the service you require in your local area to get a quote 

Housing association tenancy and minor adaptations

If you rent your home, contact your landlord directly.

For example:

• Derby Homes https://www.derbyhomes.org/advice-support/adaptations
• Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing https://www.mtvh.co.uk/manage-your-home/tenants/request-aids-and-adaptations-for-your-home/  

How to Access Support to Help Yourself - Major adaptations

Major Adaptations to your home

Adaptations costing more than £1,000 incur a charge. If you are eligible for care and support, a Social Care Occupational Therapist can assess your needs, recommend suitable adaptations, and help you apply for a means tested Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

If you decide to apply for DFG funding, your financial circumstances will be considered. The easiest way to check whether you may qualify is to complete the online means test calculator provided by Foundations:

https://www.foundations.uk.com/guides/process-a-dfg/means-test-calculator/ 

This tool will calculate whether you are entitled to full funding, a partial contribution, or if you are not eligible for the grant.

Self-funding major adaptations

It may be that, after completing the means test calculator, you have established that you are not eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Derbyshire Trusted Traders is a useful website to find local trades persons who can provide major adaptations. Search for the service you require in your local area to get a quote.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/trusted-trader/trusted-trader.aspx

Housing options

Derby City Adult Social Care collaborates with Derby Homes, to support individuals who require an Occupational Therapy assessment. This assessment helps identify your specific needs and ensures you are provided with the most suitable housing to meet those requirements.

To qualify for Derby Homes properties, you must apply through Derby Homefinder.

You must meet the eligibility criteria set out in their Housing Allocation Policy.

You must provide details such as your five year address history, current landlord information, and National Insurance number. Once accepted, you’ll be placed on the housing register and given a priority band based on your circumstances.

Wheelchair assessment referrals

If you require a wheelchair to support your independence in accessing the community or moving around your home, the Adult Social Care Occupational Therapist can refer people who meet the criteria to the wheelchair service.

Before making a referral, the Occupational Therapist will carry out an assessment to ensure that your property is suitable for wheelchair use. This may include checking whether doorways are wide enough, whether ramps or level access are available, and whether essential areas of the home, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, can be reached safely and independently.

The aim of this assessment is to confirm that a wheelchair will genuinely support your independence both inside your home and when accessing the community. If adjustments are needed, the Occupational Therapist can advise on possible adaptations or equipment to help make your property more accessible.

If you wish to purchase a wheelchair independently, there are many suppliers and options available. It is important to explore these carefully before making a decision, to ensure the wheelchair is suitable for both your personal needs and your home environment. This Living Made Easy Factsheet may be helpful.