The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has launched a report demonstrating how occupational therapy can support people with learning disabilities to have a good quality of life.
Part of the Improving Lives, Saving Money campaign, the report makes recommendations for how occupational therapists can be most effectively used to enhance the life opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
By 2030, the life expectancy for people with a learning disability is projected to increase by 164% to 80 years of age. This is good news but as a consequence, more people are living with multi-morbidities.
To address this changing population need, the report recommends that:
- In order for people with learning disabilities to have a good quality of life and for services to be able to meet demand, there needs to be more focus on early intervention, prevention and management.
- To ensure people can live well with complex morbidities, service provision must be reshaped in order to optimise multidisciplinary working.
The report also recommends occupational therapists be deployed to:
- Ensure participation within communities is a core activity in service commissioning and delivery.
- Support people with learning disabilities to live fully integrated lives within communities.
- Create packages of care and support to enable people to get the right care in the right place.
Julia Scott, CEO, Royal College of Occupational Therapists said:
“People with learning disabilities face daily challenges. Whether it’s developing social relationships, gaining paid employment or simply taking part in their communities - having learning disabilities should never be a barrier. In fact the right of all people, regardless of their abilities, to have opportunities to participate in a full range of everyday activities is recognised by the United Nations.
“This right is core to occupational therapy beliefs and values. As this report demonstrates, occupational therapists have a vital role to support people with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. Their focus is always person centred and occupational therapists tailor and adapt their approach to each individual. They help them develop skills for daily living, including accessing education, taking part in family and cultural life, as well as help them transition through the key stages in their lives.”