FEATURE SOCIAL CARE
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The live-in home care sector : a new and emerging role for occupational therapists ?
Jackie Cooper describes her journey into the private care sector and the development of the occupational therapy role in providing specialist input and added value to clients , families and professional carers
One of the advantages of being an
occupational therapist is the varied and flexible career pathway , and the ability to tailor this around your own interests and the challenges of life outside work .
My occupational therapy career began in the 1980s , having completed my training at The Wolverhampton School of Occupational Therapy . My first post was in an adult mental health hospital , where we had a well appointed occupational therapy workshop , complete with woodwork , metalwork and horticulture .
During this time , I developed an interest in older people ’ s physical and mental health . This led me to a variety of roles , an older person ’ s rehabilitation unit , followed by a day hospital , and then into the community , before taking a career break to raise my children .
On my return , I worked in various community mental health teams for older people , eventually managing an integrated community care team . While I enjoyed the challenge of team management , I began to miss the ‘ hands on ’ aspect of occupational therapy .
I wanted to get back to working with service users and their families , enabling and promoting independence and wellbeing .
As I was exploring what this could look like , an opportunity arose within the private sector . A national live in home care provider was looking to employ an occupational therapist to work alongside their admiral nurse to develop specialist services to support their clients and care teams .
The company was looking for additional expertise to support clients with complex moving and handling needs , those with dementia , and clients who were at high risk of falls .
The company provides live-in care to clients in their own home and specialises in dementia care , and aims to keep people well , in the comfort of their homes .
34 OTnews February 2021