Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Jelka Jansa, Occupational Therapist, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia, for her contributions to ths section.
We would like to acknowledge the use of information taken from the Parkinson’s Disease Society Singapore publication ‘Parkinson’s News' (Aug-Sept 2007) in compiling this information.
Occupational therapists can advise carers about issues relating to the person they are caring for, as well as about maintaining their own health.
The therapist can work with the carer to develop new ways of doing familiar tasks and reduce reliance – and pressure - upon them. To ensure the success of the treatment and help maintain the client’s independence, it is important that the carer understands any changes the therapist recommends to the normal routine, and still allow the person they are caring for to make independent decisions. Of course, it is equally important to remind carers to maintain their own health and wellbeing.
Occupational therapy really began after World War I, when thousands of injured servicemen returned home and needed rehabilitation.
Terms used to describe people who look after or provide support, voluntarily and without payment, to relatives, partners or friends who are ill, aged or disabled.
See section on Carers.
