Ruth was referred via her GP practice to PGPA Occupational Therapist Michelle Agus due to increasing anxiety and low mood, which had left her largely housebound and struggling to engage in everyday activities. Her confidence had significantly declined, and leaving the house had become a major barrier to her independence and wellbeing.
Michelle provided a tailored, home-based occupational therapy intervention focused on rebuilding confidence and supporting gradual re-engagement with daily life. This included home visits, adaptations to improve safety and independence, wellbeing-based CBT techniques, guided meditation, graded exposure to leaving the home, and structured goal setting. Over time, Ruth made significant progress and is now able to go into Brighouse independently each week for a coffee, attend weekly Focus for Hope community groups, and travel independently, including visiting family in Canada. She also now self-manages her anxiety and low mood using the coping strategies developed through support, including meditation and graded exposure techniques.
Watch Ruth’s story and hear positive feedback spoken in her own words here.
Thank you to Michelle Agus, PGPA Occupational Therapist in the Lower Valley Primany Care Network for sharing this story.