HomeFirst Approach

Many of our East Lothian services are provided to you in your own home.   We may see you urgently when there is a risk of you having to go into hospital. 
 

Meeting the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Teams 

Our occupational therapists and physiotherapists will explain who they are, the details of our service and work with you to identify the things that are important to you for us to focus on together.  The therapists may ask you to complete specific activities to help them assess any challenges you are having.  These may include walking, moving around your home (e.g. getting in and out of bed), how you manage to prepare food and keep yourself safe and well.  They will ask you about what has caused your current difficulties, how we can support you to remain at home and the level of activity you want to return to. 

Making a personal plan 

The therapists will make a plan with you about how frequently they will visit, and what activities they will focus on. They will:

• support you to manage your health condition through advice and information, for example how to cope with fatigue or pain, how to strengthen your muscles and reduce your risk of having a fall. 
• give advice about how to modify the layout of your home environment to make activities easier for you which may include the provision of equipment. 
• consider those people who support you at home and how we can also help them too. 

You may see a number of therapists from our team who will all be aware of your circumstances and rehabilitation plan. The therapists can give you information about other services which may benefit you both now and in the future, and contact other teams if further help is needed. 

You may have been discharged with the support of formal carers, which may be for a short period while we work towards improving your independence.  If after this period of rehabilitation you require further support from formal carers, we will discuss this with you and plan the next steps.