Personal role
Personal roles can change considerably when you have a new
diagnosis of a long-term condition. In life we have a variety of
roles, including - family/ partner, work, and voluntary roles.
Adapting to having a long-term condition can have an impact on
these roles. This process usually takes some time to work through
and figuring out what is important to you and how to ensure that
your needs are met is often a challenge.
Accepting this change can be a daunting and upsetting
realisation for some, often people will express grief for their
change in role and identity. This can change people's social lives
and can have a large impact on their relationships. Talking through
these changes with others who have gone through a similar process
can be useful.
Services that may be helpful
Social Services:
https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/social-services/
Social services may be able to arrange for you to have help with
personal care and advise you on local schemes that offer help with
housework and shopping. Social services occupational therapy can
help adapt your home to make activities of daily living do-able.
Such as ramp access, handrails, raised chairs
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/social-care-health/adults-and-older-people/occupational-therapy
Occupational Therapy at the Bristol Royal
Infirmary:
Occupational therapy aims to improve your ability to do everyday
tasks if you're having difficulties. Occupational Therapy can
assist you in how to manage activities of daily living and making
tasks that are challenging simpler so that you can enjoy the bigger
things in life. For example, gadgets and devices to help with food
preparation or assist you with putting socks and shoes on.
Occupational therapists also have a wealth of knowledge to assist
with work related concerns and difficulties.
Obtain a referral from your GP, consultant or nurse specialist.
If you are on Direct Access call the helpline.
All round information in your local area:
The Well Aware website provides information on a wide range of
organisations; support groups, community groups, events and
activities that can help improve your health and wellbeing in
Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
https://www.wellaware.org.uk/
