North West OT Services

13/09/2022

After taking some leave following the birth of my youngest Northwest OT Services are back and ready to meet your Occupational Therapy needs. Now working in partnership with Winwick Plumbing & Heating specialising in wet rooms with hidden adaptations to suite your lifestyle choices. Please feel free to get in touch for further information or any enquiries.
www.northwestotservices.com

11/01/2019

Depression in the elderly
As we get older, naturally through the ageing process our social and friend networks become increasingly smaller, in addition to this as our physical health declines it makes it harder for us to access or visit our ever declining friends network and family. At this stage it is very easy for our elderly relatives to become more introverted, reclusive and isolate themselves from society resulting in low mood, reduced activity levels, reduced nutritional intake and a generalised decline in health. resulting in difficulty to motivate, encourage our loved ones and witness their gradual decline. With this in mind it is vital to optimise meaningful function and increase social outlets that give our elderly population reason to exist and pursue personal identity within society. for more information contact us at http://www.northwesotservices.co.uk or find us on social media @

06/01/2019

Can cold weather aggravate arthritis
As the UK is currently about to face extreme cold weather, concerns are raised about the relation to colder temperatures and the onset of increased arthritic pain. The research tells us that the evidence suggesting the relationship between colder temperatures and worsening symptoms of arthritis is weak and dependent on the person. Symptoms could be subjective and based on several different variables i.e. age, comorbidities, hormonal imbalance, disease progression and inactivity during the colder periods.
In conclusion the review of the literature suggests further well-structured studies in patients with arthritis is required and advises controlling the symptoms prior to extreme climate changes.
It would easy for our elderly population to become less active during these colder periods resulting in increased stiffness, low mood and generalised deconditioned state.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Haroon_Majeed/publication/311393543_Effect_of_Cold_Weather_on_the_Symptoms_of_Arthritic_Disease_A_Review_of_the_Literature/links/5844076d08ae2d2175650348.pdf
www.northwestotservices.co.uk

04/01/2019

Depression in the elderly
As we get older, naturally through the ageing process our social and friend networks become increasingly smaller, in addition to this as our physical health declines it makes it harder for us to access or visit our ever declining friends network and family. At this stage it is very easy for our elderly relatives to become more introverted, reclusive and isolate themselves from society resulting in low mood, reduced activity levels, reduced nutritional intake and a generalised decline in health. resulting in difficulty to motivate, encourage our loved ones and witness their gradual decline. With this in mind it is vital to optimise meaningful function and increase social outlets that give our elderly population reason to exist and pursue personal identity within society. for more information contact us at http://www.northwesotservices.co.uk or find us on social media @

03/01/2019

What is a home safety evaluation?
It is not often that you would come across the profession of occupational therapy or what you may need an occupational therapist for. One of the things that a GP or health professional may request is an environmental assessment to determine if your home is safe or suitable or if adaptations or strategies are required to make your home safe, accessible or manageable based on your current functional needs.
Some of the things that may be taken into consideration during the environmental assessment are:
Mobility and your ability to functionally manage your home environment.
Bed/chair/toilet transfers.
Heights of furniture such as the bed, chair or toilet to allow for safe transfers.
A bathing or kitchen assessment may be beneficial to further assess cognitive and physical limitations
Consider if further support is required such as a care package or increased family support to assist with physically exerting tasks such as personal care or provision of drinks and meal prep.
In general our elderly population strive better within their own environment usually with close access to family members, in addition in the event of deconditioning as a result of infection or traumatic incident such as a fall our elderly population do experience better result from rehab within their own surroundings as rehab facilities cannot replicate their familiar environment
For further information, assessment or guidance click on the link www.northwestotservices.co.uk

02/01/2019

How to keep elderly people safe at home So a common question and concern on most families minds is how are we going to keep elderly relatives safe at home? So throughout this blog I will identify some of the signs in which you need to look out for that would suggest that our elderly family members are beginning to struggle with daily life tasks or having difficulty managing at home and further to this I will offer some strategies to consider that may help our elderly loved ones remain living independently at home for longer. Have you noticed a reduction in their mobility? Are your elderly relatives spending long periods of time in bed or sitting down? This is a common issue in the elderly albeit through co-morbidities (multiple health conditions), reduction in mood or a traumatic life experience i.e. the loss of a loved one. This can contribute to deconditioning and a subsequent reduction in physical ability resulting in difficulties managing tasks around the home. In this instance there are steps you can take such as keeping a closer eye on there activity levels. Look out for increased difficulty getting in and out bed or getting up from their chair or toilet. This can also present with reluctance to mobilise. If you are noticing any of the above it maybe that simple environmental changes may be required. For information, assessment or guidance click the link http://www.northwestotservices.co.uk or find us on social media. .

27/09/2018

23/09/2018

It has been a pleasure for North West OT Services to work with you Phil in assisting you with your move to a more appropriate accommodation You now have your family together, your wife is able to support with mum, an accessible wet room and less pain when completing activities of personal care.

21/09/2018

Once automatic functional ability diminishes, it is unlikely one will regain previous levels of mobility. This is why it is vital that we keep our loved ones moving. Through interest, valued activity, family gatherings. Social groups, dancing or anything that drives their interests. Continued movement is key.

20/09/2018

How can falls be prevented?

Falls and fall-related injuries are a common and serious problem for older people.

What are the common causes of falls?
Several falls in older people happen for reasons that may be ‘avoidable’; for example, loose carpets or rugs that present a trip hazard, or insufficient lighting on a stairway.
A significant number of falls in older people occur during ‘transfers’. This is the term a health professional uses to describe the act of moving (or attempting to move) from one position to another. For example, going from:
• sitting to a standing, such as getting out of a chair or bed
• standing to a sitting, such as lowering down into a chair
• sitting to another sitting position, such as moving from a toilet to a wheelchair, or vice versa.
Even though those movements and tasks may seem simple – and your relative may have recently performed them confidently – they can present a challenge when someone becomes less mobile or strong.
In many cases, transfers and other activities can be made easier and safer by the use of certain equipment, aids or technologies. Occupational therapists are able to provide advice and guidance of these products, and can advise the right solutions based on your relative's abilities and needs.

How can falls be prevented?

How can falls be prevented? Falls and fall-related injuries are a common and serious problem for older people.
It is recommended that your relative is seen by a healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist who has experience in falls prevention. This professional will carry out an assessment – both of the person and of their environment (home) – to understand the potential risks and the underlying causes of a repeat fall. They can then advise on the right next steps and, where possible, deliver solutions. One solution may be a fall detector. If your relative is potentially at risk of falling, you might want to discuss using a fall detector so they can summon help should they fall. This can be quite simple and a sensor light comes on at a monitoring centre when a button is pressed.

If your relative was admitted to hospital following a fall and has since been discharged, the hospital should have arranged a care plan that could include a visit from a falls prevention professional. NHS Trusts have dedicated falls prevention teams, tasked with the specific aim of reducing falls amongst older people. However, the resources within each trust are different and falls prevention teams may often be required to work on a priority basis, with 'frequent fallers'.

18/09/2018

The thing I love most about being an Occupational Therapist is our ability to problem solve. The greater the challenge the better the reward. And to see families faces when we unlock what was previously lost is priceless. I love being an occupational therapist 💚

17/09/2018

How are occupational therapists regulated?

The College of Occupational Therapists is the professional body that sets standards and codes of practice for the profession and have more information about what occupational therapists do on their website.

All occupational therapists should be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and are required to work to their professional codes of ethics and practice. You can check the credentials of occupational therapists online.
Craig Tidswell, North West OT Services is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and is fully registered on The College of Occupational Therapists’ website. For more information on a private Occupational Therapy assessment, contact:

07861 806863