Live in care at Home – Elderly home care blog

The type of therapist you need depends on what kind of activity is causing you problems.

If you need help with activities of daily living (like washing, bathing, dressing, eating, reading and writing), the relevant therapist is likely to be the occupational therapist. They can also advise on equipment to help with leisure activities such as gardening or sport.

If you have mobility problems and think you need equipment to help you get around both inside and outside then you need to see a physiotherapist, although occupational therapists can often advise on equipment such as wheelchairs.

If you need help with communication, such as speech, facial expression or swallowing, a speech and language therapist will be able to advise. There can be an overlap of roles between these professions. You may find in some areas an occupational therapist may order equipment that would be ordered by a physiotherapist in another area. Your GP, consultant/hospital specialist or Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist should be able to advise further on local arrangements.

You can also seek advice from your local social services office or Citizen’s Advice Bureau. The number should be in the local telephone book.

Depending on the local arrangements, some of these therapists can be contacted directly and all can be reached through your GP, consultant/hospital doctor or Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist. Occupational therapists can also be contacted via your local social services department. Where can I find further information and advice?

You can find further information on equipment and disability aids by contacting the Disabled Living Foundation