Occupational therapy

At your first appointment, the occupational therapist will make an assessment of your condition. It will help to think about any problems you have before your appointment including difficulties with:

• washing and dressing
• household tasks, including difficulty in using appliances
• getting around
• driving
• work activities
• hobbies.

Having highlighted particular problems, the occupational therapist will explore possible solutions with you. This may include:

• practical advice on overcoming everyday difficulties
• discussing your condition and what you can do to help yourself
• providing splints to rest or support your joints.

Practical advice on overcoming everyday difficulties

• Making everyday activities easier – The occupational therapist can help you to analyse your work, household and leisure activities, identify where there are problems, and rethink the way you do things, such as positioning yourself more comfortably, taking frequent rest breaks or getting help with heavier jobs.
• Specialist equipment – The occupational therapist can help you identify and obtain specialist equipment to help you get about and manage everyday tasks. Community equipment services may loan items, and social services departments can help with home adaptations. If you need equipment for work, the occupational therapist will advise how to get help with this.
• Mobility – If mobility is a problem, the occupational therapist can also advise you about wheelchairs and scooters. They may be able to suggest vehicle adaptations to help with driving difficulties, or may suggest that you have an assessment at a specialist mobility centre.

Discussing your condition and what you can do to help yourself

Whichever type of arthritis you have it's important to start looking after your joints as soon as possible.

The occupational therapist will show you how to reduce the strain on your joints – this will help reduce further joint damage and should also ease any aches and pains. Advice on pacing yourself in your activities can also help you to manage the fatigue that is often associated with arthritis.

Providing splints to rest or support your joints 

Wearing splints, such as a wrist or thumb splint, can help to rest and support painful, swollen joints. The occupational therapist may make special splints for you or prescribe ready-made splints.

Alternatively, you can approach your local social services department if you are having difficulty managing at home. Social services and primary care occupational therapists will usually see you at home.