Courtesy of Age uk
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Living well in care homes
Lorna Sankey reflects on her experience as an occupational therapist working in nursing and care homes and argues that occupational therapists should be part of the workforce in every single one .
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have spent the last nine months working as an occupational therapist in nursing and care homes . This involved working with patients in short-term placements in Integrated Care Board-funded block beds , who needed more time for discharge planning after being medically fit to leave hospital .
The multidisciplinary team also included physiotherapists , social workers and care home staff . By visiting the homes on a daily basis , I have learned more about how the homes are run from the inside , and have built up relationships with staff , including managers , carers , receptionists , cleaners and maintenance , and seen what a positive effect they have on the residents ’ wellbeing .
In previous roles as a community occupational therapist , I had visited care homes , but only for brief interventions and I wasn ’ t able to build relationships with staff . It has been a rewarding experience to work more intensively in these environments and begin to understand some of the unique cultures that exist in each home .
It became clear just how useful it would be to have regular OT input in care homes to work with all residents and staff ; not as an occasional visiting professional , but as part of the workforce .
Developing trust and respect
Building relationships with care home staff allowed us to develop trust with each other , and this led to improved communication , and I hope , mutual respect .
I am aware from working previously as a carer and support worker that advice given by visiting professionals isn ’ t always communicated well amongst all staff , and even when it is , there can be a feeling that the professional doesn ’ t know or understand the client as well as the staff that work there all the time , and therefore their advice isn ’ t always respected or adhered to .
As much as a visiting healthcare professional may or may not take the time to listen to the views of the care home staff , it is difficult to meet all of the staff that work with a resident unless they are there regularly .
It also doesn ’ t give the professional an opportunity to explain their reasoning around certain interventions to different carers . Further , the visiting professional may communicate with the manager , who doesn ’ t necessarily spend much time on the floor .
The professional may provide a typed document to go in the care plan , but this isn ’ t always an effective method of communication with all staff . Through working regularly
32 OTnews April 2024