Occupational Therapy News June 2020 | Page 22

FEATURE COVID-19 Everyday occup therap From new tasks to help to cut down on the numb the provision of personalised care booklets and p health services, to an enterprising initiative to prod wards still have something uplifting to read, occup ways to reshape services during the COVID-19 pa Personalised care booklets support moves to unfamiliar wards Personalised care booklets have been deployed to ensure staff can positively support people living with dementia in Cardiff as they have been moved between wards during their recovery from COVID-19. Emily McCarthy, a band six occupational therapist at Llandoug mental health for older people service, had developed the bookle pandemic, but found they came into their own during the current She says: ‘This is a project that we started a while ago, gather information based on our assessments and inviting contributions multidisciplinary team colleagues. ‘Any change in routine for people living with dementia can be upsetting, but if a patient is discharged to a care placement or if t home, these booklets are really helpful in supporting staff to get t them quickly, as well as their abilities. It has much more informati would get on a standard discharge sheet. And we knew this was could help during COVID-19.’ The booklet has helped to support people with dementia who physically recovered from COVID-19, but needed to move to an u ward with new staff. Each booklet is tailored to the individual and on their ability according to their Allen’s Cognitive Level. They also information on personal interests and recommended approaches engagement in daily activities. Martha (a pseudonym) had a booklet to support her move bet ‘We know this lady very well,’ says Emily, ‘but they weren’t familia on the ward she moved to. We were able to tell them about how caring, but when she perceives something as a threat; she can b angry, she needs these feelings to be acknowledged. ‘I am trained in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care and u to build relationships with people living with dementia. We know t she loves babies, we can show her pictures on the iPad to help r bit, engaging with something she really likes. It’s the sort of qualit functional information that is really important to help people settle environment.’ 12 OTnews June 2020