Introduction

Occupational therapy (OT) has been defined as the prescription of occupations, interactions and environmental adaptations to enable the individual to regain, develop or retain occupational skills and roles required to promote personal wellbeing. OT should also be concerned with helping an individual to achieve meaningful, purposeful goals and relationships appropriate to the relevant social and cultural setting (Hagedorn 1992). This definition emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual and the importance of establishing goals in rehabilitation that are relevant to the patient. OT intervention in PD is likely to take place over the whole of the natural history of the disease, which may last for many years. This chapter describes some of the areas in rehabilitation in PD that are the particular concern of the occupational therapist. A model and frame of reference for OT is suggested. The value of multidisciplinary team working is emphasized, as is the need for assessment in OT and greater commitment to evidence based practice.

Aims of intervention of OT in PD

For people with PD daily life can become consumed with coping with social isolation, estranged relationships, loss of roles, changing roles and changes in physical appearance. Not surprisingly, PD is associated with significant levels of stress, anxiety and depression in both patients and carer. Older patients with PD will also be limited in daily roles by other concurrent disease states that will summate with the effects of PD.