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Personal care & dressing

Find out how we can help

Restoring independence and dignity through practical advice and solutions

We aim to restore the skills needed for essential personal care tasks such as washing and dressing after these are impaired by accident, illness or advancing age.

Working collaboratively with clients to identify their goals for each day, we help to break these down into manageable steps and integrate them into a daily routine. We are also experts at adapting bathrooms so that they remain a safe and accessible space designed to accommodate changing needs.

How OT's help

Occupational therapists are highly skilled at assisting people challenged by the everyday tasks involved in washing and dressing, helping them to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the most common reasons for seeking our help include:

  • Reducing the risk of falling or getting stuck when using the bath, shower or toilet
  • Ensuring the bathroom can be reached quickly when necessary
  • Coping with difficulties in standing or maintaining posture for a sufficient length of time
  • Learning new techniques of personal care after brain, spinal or orthopedic injuries
  • Managing the effects of progressive neurological conditions
  • Adapting bathrooms to ensure they remain accessible despite reduced mobility or coordination

Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify exactly the personal care problems facing a client so that we can provide the best possible practical advice, as well as instruction in new techniques of personal care appropriate to their circumstances. We can also recommend adaptations or equipment that would help them and (if desired) arrange for its installation.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide practical and cost-effective solutions to maximise your independence and reduce any risks. Our OT assessment may involve looking at:

  • Your medical history and current prognosis
  • Current and future levels of mobility, hand and upper limb function
  • Difficulties with fatigue, concentration or memory
  • Changes to your daily routine
  • Your home environment, especially its layout in key rooms
  • The height and location of bathroom furniture
  • Accessibility of stairs
  • Your own, your family's or carer's goals and wishes for the future

Common recommendations

Some practical solutions that we may recommend to help you move around your home include:

  • Small aids to help in day-to-day activities, such as grab rails or dressing aids
  • Larger pieces of equipment, such as beds, chairs or hoists
  • Mobility or walking aids, including ramps, wheelchairs or frames
  • Stair lifts or through-floor lifts
  • Other adaptations to your home, especially kitchens, bathrooms and toilets
  • Everyday techniques to maximise your independence and reduce risks around the home

We can help with

If required we can also provide assistance with:

  • Sourcing alternative suppliers and quotations - we work with companies nationally to ensure we always offer competitively-priced solutions
  • Dealing with representatives who may need to visit your home
  • Setting up and training you or your carers in the safe use of equipment
  • Reviewing plans with architects and builders to ensure any changes are right for you now and in the future
  • Supporting you in returning home following a hospital stay

Public sector, charities and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

Find out more

Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with personal care & dressing difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you in your own home and at a time convenient to you and your family, and are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments
  • We do not have waiting lists and so can offer appointments within 7 working days of referral or sooner
  • Our extensive nationwide network of registered occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • We can provide ongoing support for as long as you need it
  • Our clear, fixed pricing system will be provided to you in writing for you to consider in your own time
  • Your occupational therapist will be a specialist in their field, with over 5 years' clinical experience including time in social services or NHS practice
  • Our team are well connected to networks of local and national equipment providers, stair lift and building companies

Your Clinical Services Manager

Victoria

Victoria

Snr Clinical Services Manager

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager supervising the team looking after referrals from our case managers, solicitors and other professional clients.

Email the team

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Case managers

We help your client's achieve optimum independence through assessment, treatment & advice.

Find out more

Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

Find out more

Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

Find out more

Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our client management team, who will be able to understand what your difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we would propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange a visit at your home. Normally this first visit will comprise a full assessment, after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations. These may include useful items you can buy or activities you can do independently, but they may also include more complex recommendations such as home adaptations or additional treatment by the occupational therapist. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our rehabilitation specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in helping maximise independence with personal care and dressing.

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Sharon

London - South, South East of England

With over 30 years’ experience, Sharon is an expert OT specialising in Housing & Equipment and Seating & Postural Management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Postural management

Sarah

Devon, West and South West of England

Specialising in neuro-rehabilitation, Sarah is an OT based in Devon, working with clients following neurological trauma or diagnosis.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Postural management

Simone

Surrey, South East of England

Simone is an expert OT based in Surrey and specialises in brain injury, dementia, and neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management

Jennifer

Surrey, South East of England

Working in Surrey and South London, Jennifer is an experienced OT specialising in Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Seating and Posture management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey, London - South

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Hannah

Norfolk, East Anglia

Occupational Therapist Hannah specializes in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management

Dagmara

Manchester, Lancashire

Dagmara is an experienced Occupational Therapist who operates in the North-West (specifically Lancashire and Manchester) and specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester, Salford

Specialisms

Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

TBI

Rachel

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Based just outside of Gloucester, Rachel is an expert OT working with adults across South West England and South Wales.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Jane

Edinburgh, West Lothian

Jane is an experienced occupational therapist specialising in equipment and adaptations, moving and handling, specialist seating, rehabilitation, goal setting.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments

Lucy

Brighton, West Sussex

Qualifying in 2007, Lucy specialises in functional & neurological rehabilitation and housing & equipment for adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Anxiety management & relaxation

Ana

Oxfordshire, South of England

South of England based OT Ana specialises in housing & equipment, seating & postural management and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Kristina

London - East, Essex

Kristina, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation. Fluent in German, she practices in London and Essex.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Social integration, Mental Health

Chike

London - East, Essex

Chike, an OT residing in Essex in the South East of England, specializes in housing and equipment, and seating.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Essex, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Postural management

David

Perthshire and Kinross, Scotland

David uses his decade of experience to provide Housing & Equipment OT services and Functional Rehabilitation to clients in Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Borders, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Highland, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Clare

Hertfordshire, South East of England

South Est based Occupational Therapist Claire specializes in seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Splinting

Dyan

North Lanarkshire, Scotland

Operating in Scotland, OT Dyan specializing in Vocational, Functional, and Neurological Rehabilitation. She works with a variety of conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Clackmannan, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, TBI

Jacqui

Surrey, South of England

Jacqui, an OT with a focus on housing and equipment, moving and handling, and functional rehabilitation, is based in Surrey.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Laura

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Trained in advanced postural management and rehabilitation techniques, Laura provides expert Occupational Therapy to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Rebecca

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Rebecca is an OT based in Leeds. She specialises in Functional Rehabilitation, supporting clients across the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Lindsey

Ceredigion, Wales

Working across South Wales, Lindsey is an expert Occupational Therapist providing holistic assessments and treatment plans for her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Powys

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jenni

Devon, West and South West of England

Jenni is a specialist OT in Neurological Rehabilitation with over 15 years’ experience, visiting clients across Devon and Somerset.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Devon, Somerset

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Leah

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Leah has a wealth of experience across different areas of speciality including elderly care, rehabilitation, equipment provision and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Surinder

West Midlands, West Midlands

OT Surinder has expertise in housing & equipment, functional rehabilitation, and moving & handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Daily living skills

Michael

Merseyside, North West England

Housing & equipment, and functional rehabilitation OT Michael operates in the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Flintshire, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Ergonomics

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Routine planning, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution

Jen

Suffolk, East Anglia

Jen is an expert OT providing Rehabilitation, Seating & Postural Management and Housing & Equipment interventions across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Anglia, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Sign Language, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sarah

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Based in Nottingham, Sarah is an expert OT focusing on Neurological Rehabilitation for adults with progressive conditions and brain injury.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Fiona

Belfast, Antrim

Fiona specialises in functional rehabilitation, fatigue management, daily living skills, balance, and self-care. She works across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, South of England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care

Maria

Swindon, Gloucestershire

With over 15 years experience occupational therapist Maria, specializes in hand therapy, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling,

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Self care, Splinting

Rosina

Bedfordshire, East Anglia

OT Rosina, from Dunstable, travels Bedfordshire working in Luton and Milton Keynes. She specialises in Functional and Vocational Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Janet

London - South, Kent

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Vicky

Cheshire, North West England

Vicky, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in Housing and Equipment and functional rehabilitation, resides in the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Staffordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Balance, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Samantha

East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Specialising in Housing & Equipment, Samantha offers expert assessments and recommendations for clients across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Case Study: Training

In this article Louise describes how she used training as part of her treatment programme with Rob during his rehabilitation following significant orthopaedic trauma. The case study brings to life how training can be an invaluable tool in a the rehabilitation journey.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

A professional’s guide to functional rehabilitation

What is Functional Rehabilitation? In this guide, Rachael explains how a functional OT assessment, learning about a client's personal goals, and a realistic treatment plan, can help a client achieve their optimum level of participation in daily activities.

Read more