Community OT referral

[FinallyHere]

Lovely but elderly DH has been referred to community occupational therapy for recurrent falls, following his most recent event which required ten stitches in his head.

We are to be ‘inspected’ next week. I would love to hear from anyone who knows what they might be looking for. We have a stair lift, no rugs or other trip hazards, long handled ‘pickers’ to reach things from usual chair.

im very open to their suggestions and would like to be prepared for whatever they suggest and am sure there will be other Mumsnetters who have been through this.

It is not so much to inspect as to assess and suggest things to help - Grab handles, perching stool, trolley for kitchen, seat for bath/shower, step and rail by doors, kitchen gadgets - which they can supply and fit if needs be.

Can you ask for a referral to the Falls Clinic? They have been absolutely brilliant with my mum looking at the big picture sending her for physio, hearing and eye assessments.

Thank you @LIZS and @stayathomegardener

OT are amazing. Good to be on their radar. Mention anything you can think of that is becoming difficult in the day to day routine.

It’s a very hard thing to witness your partner’s vulnerability so look after yourself too.

Agree you are definitely not being inspected, even if someone has used that word. OT was one of the most brilliant helpful services when DM had an accident and was discharged home. They should check how your DH is getting out of chair, up stairs, on and off toilet, in and out of shower or bath, using kitchen equipment.
My advice to you is to fight the instinct to say you can do all the things for him, for both your sakes.

Thank you lovely people

Having been though this with DM, I’m pretty comfortable with not ‘doing things for him’. We already have stairlift, frames and risers in the loos he uses, char in shower and everything I can think of.

Very grateful for your responses much appreciated even though @stayathomegardener’s contribution may have caused a strange liquid overflow of my eye. I’m usually one to focus on the practicalities … as I see I am doing here so especially thank you.

Thank you all

Sound really proofread before pressing send as that is a chair we have in the shower, honestly not a char 😊

I don't think it will be an "inspection" as such, more just a check to see if they can recommend more to support him. My only tip would be make sure you and he push for what he is like at his worst even if he is having a good day on the day.

OT have been involved off and on with my elderly relative, and they've always clearly been trying to be, and usually are, helpful.
And the good thing is, if all those things are already in use, sounds like any further suggestions will be listened to (you'd be surprised but a lot of people love to cut off their nose to spite their face!).

They will see if things like grab rails can be fitted , shower chair if he has a walk in shower, raised toilet seat, falls alarm. All easily sorted and can make a big difference.