ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the importance of maintaining patient/client skills while making the environment safer for both the patient/client and staff/carers. It presents a case study of Margaret, Who is a 57-year-old lady with Down's syndrome. She has shown a considerable decline in her cognitive skills, she has difficulty in recognising people, objects and places within the home. Margaret has lost many self care skills, and has problems feeding herself. Her behaviour can be unpredictable and she has recently become incontinent. An assessment has been requested from the occupational therapist. The role of the occupational therapist in Margaret's care is to work with other healthcare professionals to maintain Margaret's skills while making the environment safer for Margaret and staff/carers and to demonstrate prescribed equipment and or technique/routine to staff/carers. Occupational therapists do not always prescribe equipment and may sometimes suggest alternative techniques or environmental changes.
