Commenting on the annual report from the Chief Medical Officer, ‘Health in an ageing society’, Director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Karin Orman, said:
‘The Chief Medical Officer’s focus on prioritising and enhancing quality of life is absolutely something occupational therapists support. We help people to carry out the occupations they want and need to do, with the aim of improving their quality of life. It’s all about living and not existing.
‘It’s good to see occupational therapists included in the recommendations, particularly in the areas of community services, falls prevention, multidisciplinary team working, and social care.
‘Through our participation in helping to shape this report, we advocated for our members and the role of occupational therapy in promoting healthy ageing and safety, and preventing illness or dependency on care in later life.’