Promoting independence and active participation
Nichola Ryder talks about how she has been delivering training to support and healthcare colleagues on better supporting people ’ s independence through grading and adapting .
O
ver the years , as an occupational therapist , I have often seen support and healthcare colleagues undertake some amazing natural grading and adapting in everyday practice , while also seeing the opposite .
It has been encouraging to see the lengths that some of the team go to in order to maximise inclusion in choices for the tea trolley , for example , or participation in a group quiz , while using visual cues and verbal prompts for personal care .
But equally , I have been concerned where good practice is missed and support plans overlooked through actions done on a person ’ s behalf .
While this can be due to lack of knowledge , time or being unaware of the care plans in place , such varied support methods are a missed opportunity for
42 OTnews April 2022