Introduction: Aging is a process that manifests itself differently in each individual. This period causes changes in the health of the elderly and, consequently, changes in their lifestyle. Despite all the changes, the elderly want to spend their old age in a home environment that provides them with a safe shelter, a sense of well-being and the closeness of relatives. Through occupational therapy, older people are allowed to remain in their home environment for as long as possible. Occupational therapists adapt the home environment in a way that encourages older people to engage in occupations, and this helps to strengthen their independence and self-confidence. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to explore the importance of occupational therapy at the user's home and the role of occupational therapists in the inclusion of the user's relatives in occupational therapy treatment. Work methods: In qualitative research, the data was obtained through semi-structured interviews. We included seven occupational therapists, who have experience in the area of the topic being studied. We have analyzed the obtained data and have classified it into key topics. Results: We have created four categories from the survey: the importance of occupational therapy services at the user's home; occupations in the home environment; factors affecting the user's autonomy; interaction with relatives. The interviewees experience occupational therapy at the user's home as an indispensable service. They include users in narrower daily activities, broader daily activities and leisure activities. They advise them on the adaptation of the environment, the correct use of devices and their acquisition. In doing so, occupational therapists take into account the wishes of the users and their medical condition. Occupational therapy plays an important role in informing relatives about the correct use of assistive device. Relatives have an important role in supporting their family members. Discussion and conclusion: Occupational therapy at the user’s home is still among the less recognized professions, both among the general public and among other healthcare professionals. It is an important element in maintaining the user's functionality and autonomy. The home environment is adapted to the users in such a way that they function smoothly in it. With various adaptations, they are more easily involved in occupations, improving their self-confidence and self-esteem. However, they often face problems such as lack of motivation, fear and pain. As the user's skills increase, the burden on the relatives decreases. Further research would be needed to confirm the effectiveness of occupational therapy in the user’s home. The challenge is to regulate the funding of occupational therapy services in a systematic way.
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