Occupational Therapy Interventions:

The OT intervention process follows a structured approach. The OT first identifies the patient’s issues with regard to occupational performance, performance possibilities or performance competencies. The OT discusses roles and activities with the individual, the problems experienced in occupational performance and the impact the social and physical environment means to the individual (Sturkenboom et al, 2008).  Occupational issues faced by the caregiver are also discussed at this stage. The OT then analyses which aspect of the person, occupation and environments inhibit or support occupational performance. Identifying the factors for occupational performance is highly important because they will be used extensively in the interventions. Based on an analysis of assessment data, the therapist can determine if the individual requires intervention or not. If the individual with Parkinson’s requires intervention, an intervention plan with goals and an action plan is drawn up in consultation with the client and caregiver. The opportunities for change differ for each person and situation. The emphasis of the general aims and interventions can shift as the disease progresses.

Changing occupational performance can involve interventions directed at:

• Improving and maintaining skills during the performance of activities.
• Applying compensatory skills or strategies during the performance of activities.
• Increasing insight and knowledge in order to adequately deal with current and future limitations in daily activities (self-management).

At the beginning of each intervention session an evaluation takes place of the experiences of the individual and caregiver to determine if the set goals have been achieved (Sturkenboom et al, 2008).   The opinion and experiences of the individual and caregiver as well as the observations and opinion of the OT are important in this process.

There are several occupational therapy interventions which can be used for individuals with Parkinson’s. First, general recommendations are made on the subject of guiding the individual in learning new skills and changing behaviour. After that, key questions are answered about the value of specific interventions. The recommendations indicate to what extent these interventions should be used by OT’s in the rehabilitation of the individual and/or their caregiver.