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