How Occupational Therapists Help

Activities of daily living (ADLs or ADL) is a term used in healthcare to refer to people’s daily self-care activities.

Common ADLs include feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking, cleaning oneself after defecating, and leisure.

What is a List of ADLs?

Bathing/showering

We can explore different aids that will assist with the showering process, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning their showering routine. It could also include equipment such as a shower chair or long-handled aids if they have physical barriers to showering.

If the person is comfortable, we can work with them one-on-one to build the skill during showering time, or if they are not comfortable, we can build their supports capacity to work with them or practice ‘dry runs’.

The Occupational Therapist can also request support workers to assist with integrating the skills into your routine.

Managing medications

An Occupational Therapist can assess your current medication management system through observation and discussion. We can explore different aids that will assist with managing medication, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning the process. It could also include equipment such as utilising webster packs or pill boxes.

The Occupational Therapist can work one-on-one with you to build your skills and integrate the strategies into your routine. The Occupational Therapist can also request support workers to assist with integrating the skills into your routine.

Toileting

We can explore different aids that will assist with the toileting process, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning their toileting routine. It could also include equipment such as an over toilet frame or long-handled aids if they have physical barriers to toileting.

If the person is comfortable, we can work with them one-on-one to build the skill during toileting time, or if they are not comfortable, we can build their supports capacity to work with them or practice ‘dry runs’.

The Occupational Therapist can also request support workers to assist with integrating the skills into your routine.

Mobility – transfers, walking

The Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist can assess mobility needs.

Once determined, they can set up trials and write the reports required to ensure the equipment is purchased under the appropriate funding body (e.g. NDIS).

Speech/swallowing

We can make recommendations to a Speech Pathologists in our functional capacity reports.

Personal hygiene

More info coming soon, please call us with any questions.

Dressing

More info coming soon, please call us with any questions.

Personal device care

More info coming soon, please call us with any questions.

Feeding

More info coming soon, please call us with any questions.

What are IADLs?

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are those activities that allow an individual to live independently in a community.

Although not necessary for functional living, the ability to perform IADLs can significantly improve the quality of life. Examples include:

Managing finances

An Occupational Therapist can assess your current financial management system through observation and discussion. We can explore different aids that will assist with managing finances, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning the process. It could also include equipment such as calendars, computer use, etc.

Managing transportation

An Occupational Therapist can assess your current transportation management system through observation and discussion.

We can explore different aids that will assist with managing transportation, depending on the person’s needs. This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning the process. It could also include equipment such as utilising the phone or computer to book in public transport.

Shopping and meal preparation

An Occupational Therapist can assess your current shopping and meal preparation routine through observation and discussion.

We can explore different aids that will assist with managing shopping and meal preparation, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning to sequence the process. It could also include equipment such as utilising the phone or writing down a shopping list, etc.

Luxury scandinavian styled living room with outlook to terrace and gum trees

Housing cleaning and home maintenance

An Occupational Therapist can assess your current home cleaning routine through observation and discussion. We can explore different aids that will assist with managing house cleaning, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning the process. It could also include equipment such as adapted cleaning equipment.

Managing communication (e.g. telephone and mail)

An Occupational Therapist can assess your current communication management system through observation and discussion.

We can explore different aids that will assist with communication, depending on the person’s needs.

This could include visual aids and social stories if they are learning the process. It could also include adapted equipment.

How will an OT assess ADLs? 

The Occupational Therapist will complete a variety of assessments. The main assessment completed is an observation and discussion to ensure the Occupational Therapist has a clear understanding of what the current process is and what supports are required.

Additionally, the Occupational Therapist will have a clear understanding of the person’s facilitators and barriers specific to the goal.

Outcome measures are frequently used, such as the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The COPM is an individualised, client-centered outcome measure that is designed to capture a person’s self-perception of performance in everyday living. Other outcome measures may vary depending on the goal.

What would a follow-up assessment involve?

Follow-up assessment would include trials for recommended equipment that will assist in achieving the person’s specific goals and repeating the outcome measure to ensure the person is improving their skills.

When is the right time to be assessed?

It is recommended to have a functional assessment completed to ensure you receive appropriate funding from the NDIS.

It is recommended to complete an assessment in the beginning of therapy, so the Occupational Therapist understands your current facilitators and barriers. Understanding where you have started, allows a better understanding when you make improvements or experience barriers throughout therapy.

How do ADLs relate to an NDIS or homecare plan?

ADLs heavily relate to the NDIS and homecare plans because these bodies provide funding in order to see improvement in safety and/or skills relating to ADLs. All goals are related to ADLs in some respect.

What is produced at the end of an ADL assessment? 

A functional report is completed at the end of the initial assessment.

No specific report is completed at the end of an ADL assessment, unless requested by the participant, services, or NDIS. If so, a supporting letter will be completed.

What are the most common ADLs people typically need help with?

Showering, toileting, feeding, dressing, and mobility.

How does THP approach sensitive matters? (i.e. toileting)?

THP works alongside the values of trust, compassion, and care.

We ensure that the participant is comfortable to discuss these personal matters by allowing time to build trust and rapport. We approach these matters in a professional but caring and empathic way. We ensure that all information provided is guarded by the act of privacy.

Why should I work with THP? 

THP has a great team of Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapists, and Exercise Physiologists who are fully qualified and experienced in dealing with individuals who have issues with ADLs.

THP therapists provide support for all ADLs and IADLs to ensure you become safer and more independent at home and in the community.

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