Overcoming illness and disability issues within the home setting: a case example

Abstract

Using a real case example, this article demonstrates implementation of occupational therapy approaches for professionals who are aiming to meet a family's needs facing a deep crisis generated by illness and disability. Recommendations include the need to be sensitive to the family's ability to absorb the changed circumstances which affect the whole family, providing support to the family through acknowledging and supporting the family's efforts throughout the recovery time. This includes the emotional, informational and practical supports which should be given constantly and empathically right from the hospital to the home transition and long-term rehabilitation care. Recommendations were made for an educational program for families in hospitals to support the home transition and disability management. These recommendations support a family centred educational approach with an emphasis on care and empathy not only for the person with disability but for all family members as they attempt to come to terms with the new situation and cope on a day-to-day basis with new circumstances.