If disabled and elderly people are to become members of the community and not be relegated to an institutional existence, community health care services have to be developed in order to support them and their carers at home and to assist them to maintain their dignity and independence. The provision of such services by teams of various professions, of which occupational therapy is a part, has become a growth area over the past few years. It is continuing to grow and many initiatives are being tried. This article outlines the scheme introduced by the Norwich Health Authority and the occupational therapist's role within it. Data were collected from 528 closed cases during April to August 1987.
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