Occupational therapist - am I expecting too much ?

[Chelle73]

So I had an OT visit a few weeks ago and I don’t have the heart to feedback it was the biggest waste of my time…. But was I expecting too much in the first place??
I was looking for help & suggestions with dressing, moving around the kitchen and helping to move duvet over myself at night. I’ve come up with ideas for all 3 and the OT said “oh that’s a good idea I’m gonna share that with others” I suppose I was expecting too much and solutions to all the problems I have sort of overcome but ah well - I find the ideas in this group more useful

[TinyLady]

Chelle73- I gather most people here find their OT extremely useful. Sadly I refer to mine as a chocolate teapot.

I think she is an overworked locum with little experience of MND and we have waited since January for solutions. But as is the nature of MND I need a whole new set of solutions on top by now. I have given up for now. I hope yours at least continues to visit and listen xx

[JamesW]

That is very poor from them…….. their job (by definition) is to help you find practical solutions for every day tasks.

Maybe I’m just lucky but my main OT is fantastic, she works for a specialist neurological team and has been putting solutions in place well ahead of me actually even needing them. We have also tried some solutions that didn’t quite work out as everybody is very different in their needs.

I think as a minimum you should be feeding this back to your MND clinic to say that you are not receiving the community support that you should be.

Take care, James x

[Maria C]

That sounds a lot like my experience with my OT. I was really hoping that she would have some ideas for me. I’ve had to point out to her why her ideas are completely impractical. Unfortunately I live in a sparsely populated area so services are very limited. Most of her clients are little old people who need to be told to pick up the scatter rugs and use a stick.

Please give feedback that you need someone with more experience with MND.

[shelly21]

Mine is useless. On diagnosis she gave me a shower chair that was it. I have had to find out on here re aids etc then ask her. I'm sometimes told we have non in stock so I say we'll can you order it.

She does so little for me. I'm actually applying for my first mnda support grant and she didn't have a clue about the different types of grants etc.

[Tony]

My OT is fantastic but then I’m married to her! She’s actually retired but still has more idea than the actual one. My actual OT is very nice and if sh bothered to get involved occasionally I’m sure she’d be quite good. She responds to requests quite quickly by providing equipment that we ask for but just isn’t at all proactive. The social services OT is better in that respect but then promised action takes ages. I feel I’m being a bit harsh as I think we are probably better served here than in some parts of the country. I don’t think Covid has helped as they’ve got out of the habit of getting out and actually seeing people.

[Piglet]

Tony lucky you having your own O T☺️We have been very lucky with our OT. With super support and advise and has got us almost everything we have needed for my husband. Xx

[Madge]

I can’t fault my OT. I have a manual hoist in readiness for when I need it. I have an electric wheelchair and had lots of other equipment too as and when required.