Functional assessment
Watching how you manage personal care, meals, housework, stairs and getting out, in your own surroundings.
Private adult occupational therapy for independent living
Practical, goal-focused occupational therapy for adults whose daily life has become harder after illness, injury or surgery, or because of a long-term condition, fatigue or pain.
- Assessment in your own home
- Goals agreed with you
- Fatigue and pain strategies
- Equipment and adaptation advice
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
What we offer
How Private Occupational Therapy helps adults live independently
We offer home-based assessment and rehabilitation in Newcastle and across the North East, helping adults keep or regain independence with personal care, household tasks, getting out and the activities they value.
An occupational therapist visits you at home to see the tasks that have become difficult, then writes a report and plan built around what you want to be able to do again. Rehabilitation sessions follow where needed, at home, in the community or by video for reviews, alongside advice on equipment and pacing.
Your first steps
- A conversation about what you want to get back to
- A quote before the assessment is booked
- A written report with practical recommendations
- Goals reviewed as sessions progress
- Updates for your GP or carers with your consent
Who it helps
Who is private adult OT for?
Adult occupational therapy suits people who want to stay independent, or regain independence, after a change in their health.
A hip replacement, a spell in hospital, a flare of arthritis or months of fatigue can turn showering, making lunch or getting to the shops into hard work, and confidence often drops along the way. Some clients are recovering from a specific event and want more input than NHS services can offer after discharge. Others live with a long-term condition and have gradually started avoiding activities they used to enjoy. Where a stroke, brain injury or progressive neurological condition is involved, our neurological rehabilitation service offers more specialist support.
Situations we often see
- Returning home after surgery or a hospital stay
- Joint replacements and orthopaedic injuries
- Arthritis, COPD and other long-term conditions
- Persistent fatigue, including long COVID and ME/CFS
- Chronic pain affecting daily routines
- Hypermobility and connective tissue conditions
- Losing confidence after a fall or illness
What's included
What adult occupational therapy includes
Each element is used only where it helps you reach the goals you have set.
Goal setting
Clear goals in your own words, with progress reviewed at agreed points.
Rehabilitation sessions
Graded practice of real tasks to rebuild strength, stamina, technique and confidence.
Fatigue and pain management
Pacing, planning and prioritising so limited energy goes on what matters most.
Equipment and adaptations
Advice on aids and home changes that make tasks safer and easier.
Family and carer guidance
Practical advice for the people who help you, so support is consistent.
Managing fatigue, pain and long-term conditions
For many adults the main barrier is a shortage of energy rather than any single task. Fatigue and persistent pain tend to follow a boom-and-bust pattern: a good day leads to doing too much, followed by several days of recovery. Occupational therapy helps break that cycle with a more even, sustainable routine.
Pacing and planning
Together you look at a typical week, identify where energy is spent and find ways to spread demanding activities, build in rest and keep space for things you enjoy. Small changes, such as sitting to prepare vegetables or splitting the weekly shop, often make a noticeable difference. Sleep, posture and the layout of the kitchen or bathroom are reviewed too, because each can add to fatigue or pain without anyone noticing.
Typical goals
Goals might include showering independently, cooking a simple meal, walking to a local café, returning to a hobby or managing a part-time job. If work is the priority, our vocational rehabilitation service focuses specifically on returning to work.
How it works
How adult OT works with Private Occupational Therapy
Get in touch
A short email about your health, home and main difficulties is enough to begin, and a relative can send it with your consent.
Conversation and quote
Questions about your routine and priorities help decide what the assessment should cover.
Home assessment
You show the therapist the tasks you find hardest, and a relative can be present if you wish.
Rehabilitation and review
Sessions are spaced to suit your energy levels, and the plan changes as your abilities do.
Home visits in Newcastle, Northumberland and County Durham
Most sessions happen in your own home, because that is where the difficulties show up and where new routines need to work. Therapy can also take place in the community, for example practising a bus trip into town or a visit to the supermarket, and some reviews suit video appointments. We cover Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham.
Reports and how they are used
Your report records the assessment, your goals and the recommendations. With your consent it can be shared with your GP, consultant or care provider, and it can support applications for equipment or adaptations. If major changes to your home are needed, our home assessments and adaptations service can provide the detailed specification.
Paying for adult OT
Clients usually self-fund, and some private health insurance policies, personal health budgets or personal injury claims may cover the cost. Details are on the fees and funding page, and you always receive a quote first.
FAQs
Adult occupational therapy FAQs
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can contact us directly. With your permission, findings can be shared with your GP or other professionals involved in your care.
Can private OT run alongside NHS therapy?
Yes. Private sessions can add intensity or cover goals that NHS services are not currently addressing. Our guide to NHS and private occupational therapy explains the differences.
Can a family member join the assessment?
Yes. Relatives and carers often add useful detail, and they can learn techniques to support you between sessions.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Some people need an assessment and a few follow-up visits, while others benefit from a longer block of rehabilitation. You will know the recommended plan before committing.
Related support
Related services for adults
Start with a conversation about your goals
Tell us what has become harder day to day and what you would like to get back to, and Private Occupational Therapy will suggest a sensible first step and send a quote.