World Occupational Therapy Day
Today is World Occupational Therapy Day. We had a chat with Annabella, one of our Occupational Therapists here at St Joseph’s, about her role at the hospice and how she supports our patients.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Day was first launched on 27th October 2010. Since then, it has become an important date in the occupational therapy calendar to promote and celebrate the profession.
Occupational therapy aims to improve your ability to do everyday tasks if you’re having difficulties. Maintaining routine and independence in daily activities can be challenging when you are trying to cope with the symptoms of a life-limiting illness. This year’s theme, ‘Occupational Therapy in Action’, highlights the incredible work of occupational therapists across the world who help people live meaningfully and stay actively involved in the things they want and need to do.
Meet Annabella
We had a chat with Annabella, one of our Occupational Therapists here at St Joseph’s, about her role at the hospice and how she supports our patients.
What does being an Occupational Therapist look like at St Joseph’s?
“At St Joseph’s we work with patients who are at different stages of their illness. With some patients we support with maximising comfort, quality of life and engagement in activities that bring them joy.
With other patients we support with rehabilitation, and maximising their independence in completing everyday tasks. We also work with families and patients to get their home ready for discharge, including ordering any equipment they may need to support their safety and independence at home.”
What do you enjoy about your role as an Occupational Therapist?
“I love the variety of the role, and the balance between supporting patient’s rehabilitation and independence and their quality of life. I also enjoy interacting with the patients and their families, and hearing stories from their lives.”
Support available
Our occupational therapy team will work closely with you to help you improve your quality of life by supporting you to participate in daily life activities that are meaningful and purposeful to you.
We use a strong rehabilitation palliative approach, enabling independence in your daily activities, alongside adjusting to changes and losses that you may encounter as your condition progresses. We encourage earlier referrals so that you gain the greatest benefits from our service.
We offer our service to patients who are staying in the inpatient unit including Respite. Any member of staff in the Hospice can make an internal referral to our team or via the First Contact Team.
If you would like more information about our service please call the First Contact Team on 0300 30 30 400.
