oc. therapist not that bright!!! aarghghgh

magoogy

a few weeks back we were assessed for a shower putting in over out bath which would be easier for my disabled partner as lying in a bath is painful...we already have a shower room downstairs but the fact is he spends most if not all of his time lying down in the bedroom as he is comfiest there and also the shower downstairs is too narrow and has proved to be too awkward for him to use as he keeps banging himself - also he likes to lie straight down after a shower but he cannot do that downstairs....

i explained all this to the young girl who came to assess him but she was more interested in getting him a stairlift put in but, i kept explaining why that wasnt a good idea and wouldnt solve the above problems...i knew she hadnt taken it in

anyway she has just phoned and said there is no way we can have the shower over the bath as we already have the shower room downstairs and they would arrange to measure him for the stairlift.......aaaaaaarghghgh why dont they ever listen?????

is there anything else i can do now as i really think if she had pleaded his case properly we wouldntve been turned down...

thanks

beverleyhills

The assessment is not 'person centred'.

Would a stair lift be useful to your partner?

Can you appeal to the Team Manager? Can you contact the local councellor who is on the Social Services Committee?

zico_2

Magoogy, I think you should ask the OT to arrange a joint visit with her supervisor so that you can put your concerns accross and they can explain fully to you the remit that they have to work to. Involving counsellors who often have very limited medical knowledge is not likely to expedite any solution at this stage.
There is likely to be criteria involved that has to be adhered to but perhaps this has not been explained fully to you. It may also be necessary for further medical info to be sought to give a clear long term picture.
Please remember that the OT has to consider the longer term needs based on the medical condition and assessment.
You are able to ask for a copy of the assessment too and for the clinical reasoning used to reach the decision.

dmg24

Have you explained why the stairlift would not solve the problem? Is it absolutely impossible for him to use the downstairs shower?

magoogy

ive totally explained twice now to the original girl who came and double checked while she was here that she understood as to why he cannot use the downstairs shower - i understand all about they have criteria and so much money and guidelines, etc but i dont think that is the case here - i just dont think she put forward the case properly....

she is going to phone back monday after having a word with her supervisor about my concerns so if i get no joy then i will ask if i can see someone else too...

daska

I'd write. First explain why he can't use the bath or the downstairs shower - list the reasons why, including measurements, diagram if that helps to explain the problem. Then specifically ask for the reasoning behind suggesting a stairlift and why they believe a stairlift is an appropriate solution for the problems he is experiencing. Once they've stated their reasoning you can then fight that - at the moment you don't know what you're fighting which puts you at a disadvantage.

kentyy

I had a not so good OT that put in incorrect adaptions for my needs. I got another OT in, who put in the correct adaptions and the original OT was no longer working for them soon after (but i dont know the exact reasons he had to leave or was dismissed).
It is definatly worth getting another OT to look at your problems.

amanda40

My Ot put me forward to the Social Work OT for a grant for upstairs toilet ( only have downstairs one) When the Social Work OT came out, she said they would be as well putting in full shower room and leaving bath downstairs as it was - she said she had to consider the needs of the whole family - i have 2 DS who at the time were under 8. She said as my condition would change( get worse ;( it would save them coming back in a few years to adapt again) I was delighted with their decision, and got the grant for a wet floor en suit shower room. It did take a bit of time to go through the process but worth it in the end. I used to have to lie on sofa all day if I felt awful as I couldnt make it up and down the stairs, but now being able to spend the day in bed if necc makes all the difference.

Fight your case and as some of the other posters have suggested do a list.

magoogy

thanks for all your help....i will take your suggestions and use them...thanks so much...xx