Long Term Conditions

Long term conditions are defined as those conditions that cannot, at present, be cured, but can be controlled by medication and other therapies. The life of an individual with a long term condition is forever altered. Among the most common of these conditions are asthma, diabetes, coronary heart disease, Stroke, heart failure, severe mental health conditions and epilepsy.

Our Occupational Therapists are dedicated to empowering individuals with long term conditionslive a full and satisfying life. With the specialised knowledge and skills to modify environments our Occupational Therapist will enable individual's with long term conditions do those things they what and need to do. Our Occupational Therapists have a thorough understanding of anatomy, pathology and the physical and emotional demands of daily activities and with this can help individuals manage the symptoms of the long term condition more effectively.

Problems associated with long term conditions

Individuals with long term conditions have markedly poorer quality of like, poorer clinical outcomes and longer hospital stays. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person and from condition to condition meaning a long term condition can affect an individual's ability to complete the following day to day activities:

• Washing and dressing
• Mobilising inside and outside the home
• Driving
• Work activities
• Sleeping
• Leisure and social activities
• Household duties- cooking and cleaning
• Climb the stairs

There are a number of treatment approaches our Occupational Therapists can adopt when treating individuals with a long term condition. All of which aim to increase an individual's independence and overall life satisfaction. Our Occupational Therapists will comprehensively assess an individual's condition and the impact it is having on their day to day living. From here, problems will be identified and a therapeutic plan will be created together with the therapist.

What exactly is long term condition?

In England more than 15 million people have a long term condition - a health problem that cannot be cured, but controlled by medication or other therapies. This figure is set to increase over the next 10 years, particularly those people with 3 or more conditions at once. Examples of long term conditions include high blood pressure, depression, dementia and arthritis.

Long term condition can affect many parts of a person's life, form their ability to work and have a relationship to housing and education opportunities.

Occupational Therapy assessments suitable for a long term condition

Our Occupational Therapists complete assessments that are fully comprehensive. This allow them to gather relevant information needed to develop treatment plans that are appropriate and meet the needs of each individual, some of the most common assessments complete for those with fibromyalgia are:

• Cognitive assessments
• Workplace assessment
• Housing assessment
• Seating assessment
• Paediatric assessment
• Wheelchair assessment
• Functional assessment
• Activities of daily living assessments
• Aids and adaptations assessment
• Risk assessment

Occupational therapy treatment available

Our Occupational Therapy treatments promote an individual's health and well-being through the use of day to day activities such as, washing, dressing, cooking and cleaning. Our therapists are highly experienced provide practical support to facilitate recovery or over overcome the barriers that prevent them from doing activities they need and want to do. Treatments for individuals with a long term conditions aim to increase an individual's life satisfaction and increase their:

• Functional independence
• Social interaction
• safety
• Pain management

Dramatic improvements have been made to the lives of those with a long term condition through our Occupational Therapy treatments. Our treatments are flexible and tailored to each and every individual. They can be carried out individually or in a group, here in one of our clinics or in the comfort of your own home, whatever suits the individuals best.

Summary

Living with a long term condition can be extremely difficult and affect an individual's day to day living greatly. Our Occupational Therapists are highly experienced when working with individuals with a long term condition and have the in depth knowledge and the skills needed to increase an individual's level of independence.

How to arrange to see an occupational therapist?

If you feel you would benefit from our Occupational Therapy interventions then please email us with any of your enquires at office@londonot.co.uk