SOCIAL CARE FEATURE
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Advice and support by telephone or email for operational / care teams ; review of initial assessments , care plans and risk management plans ; review of falls and moving and handling incidents .
One-off occupational therapy intervention to assess a client and their home to offer advice and support regarding equipment , moving and handling strategies and risk management .
The occupational therapy-led service offers hospital discharge planning , stroke reablement service and Parkinson ’ s support : this provides a number of occupational therapy interventions over an agreed period of time to assess , problem solve and introduce new practice , for example moving and handling , falls prevention and promoting independence .
The three-tier framework for occupational therapy interventions
An occupational therapist post was created in order to further improve outcomes for clients on the occupational therapy-led package , but also through taking part in pioneering health and wellbeing initiatives , and to proactive collaborations with other clinical experts and charities . Best practice is shared with other organisations , for the good of all .
A developing role At the start of 2017 , I began developing the role of the occupational therapist within the company . This process required working alongside the senior management team in establishing where I could add value and make a difference to the service the company offers our clients .
I was able to draw on my knowledge and experience when reviewing past audits and projects , with the head of operations and head of care strategy , to identify areas where an occupational therapist could add value and innovation .
The following examples demonstrate the types of projects I have been involved in while continuing to provide support and advice to the care teams and clients .
In 2016 , a falls analysis identified that the majority of client falls occurred at night while the person was using the commode . Clients with Parkinson ’ s were at particular risk , as were those with cancer and general frailty .
This knowledge generated fall prevention improvement work with the team . Additional training and guidance was provided for the care teams , and the total number of falls was reduced . This included a Positive Risk Taking Agreement , for those clients who had a capacity and wished to take the responsibility for their own decisions around falls risk .
Client care plans were reviewed in preparation for migrating to an electronic recording system , and it was identified that the mobility and falls section needed particular attention . I reviewed and updated this section , including risk assessment , and management , with strategies also provided for safer moving and handling .
A new advanced dementia care course was launched ( ADAPT ), which in 2019 was shortlisted at The National Dementia Awards . Occupational therapy input included contributing to the modules and sections of the workbook , ongoing face-to-face teaching on cognitive stimulation and sensory stimulation , as well as problem solving with clients ’ activities of daily living .
Finally , in January 2017 , work started on a specialist stroke service , offering additional support for clients who have had a stroke . I was able to lead with the development of a reablement programme , designing and delivering additional training for the care teams .
Alongside these service improvements , I have developed an occupational therapy-led service for clients who had been assessed as having high levels of need with mobility and falls and functional needs related to dementia care .
This service was part of the specialist care provision offered by the company , which has a ‘ three tier framework ’ for occupational therapy interventions : ( see above ). The three tier service ensures that our clients receive the appropriate level of service and support and that all clients have access to occupational therapy advice and input .
Adding value and driving improvement The occupational therapy role has continued to develop and has become an established part of the senior operations team . I input into strategic planning and reviews , providing reports to feed into service improvement projects .
The care strategy manager says of the role : ‘ The occupational therapist is very well regarded by our clients , as evidenced through feedback gathered at client focus groups and our client survey .
‘ The occupational therapist was described as providing excellent back up to clients when their needs change . She has applied her expertise to successfully support clients to reduce moving and handling support from two carers to one , thus reducing both cost and associated anxieties for the client .’
The main areas that I have been able to deliver added value and drive service improvement include falls prevention , advanced dementia training for carers , moving and handling strategies , and the development of specialist services .
Falls prevention : each falls incident is now reviewed by the occupational therapist and recommendations are given on how to reduce risk and prevent falls . Where appropriate a home hazard
OTnews January 2021 35