NIHR launches podcast on loneliness
The National Institute for Health Research ( NIHR ) has released a podcast that addresses the topic of loneliness among older people .
Hosted by Helen Saul , editor-in-chief , it explores why loneliness is such a severe problem , how it relates to other conditions , and what can be done to reduce the burden .
Helen is joined by occupational therapist Sarah Page from the University of Bedfordshire , who discusses how loneliness and bereavement can lead to a loss of a person ’ s sense of self , identity and role , often leading to a negative impact on their activities of daily living .
She goes on to offer her ‘ top tips ’ for occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals who are visiting older people who are lonely .
Listen to the podcast www . evidence . nihr . ac . uk / collection / how-can-we-reducethe-toll-of-loneliness-in-older-adults /.
Sport For Confidence calls on occupational therapy students to drive change
Social enterprise Sport For Confidence , which places physical activity at the heart of occupational therapy practice , is recruiting students to join a steering group focused on raising awareness of the role physical activity can play in clinical practice .
Heading up the project is Liz Fletcher , Sport For Confidence opccupational therapist and education lead . She explains : ‘ It is an unfortunate fact that people with a disability are less than half as likely to engage in physical activity as the rest of the population and that often , people with a long-term health condition are not able to access the support and facilities they need to be physically active .
‘ Based on the evidence gathered from six years of working alongside sports coaches in mainstream leisure centres , we believe occupational therapists have a vital role to play in the levelling up of inequalities that exist in sport and physical activity .
Our recent national strategy ( see page 7 ) outlines how we intend to work collaboratively with the health , sport and leisure sectors to break down barriers and create a more active and equitable society . The creation of this student-led steering group is part of this strategy .’
Students interested in joining the 10-strong steering group should demonstrate a keen interest in promoting access to physical activity for marginalised populations and in driving awareness of the potential impact occupational
therapists could have on the health of the nation if physical activity outcomes were part of standard clinical practice .
Charlie Nuland , an occupational therapy masters student at Derby University will initially chair the group . She says : ‘ The work of the steering group will provide valuable insight into the role physical activity can play in the attainment of positive occupational outcomes , helping cement its practice as a valuable inclusion in clinical practice . Students involved will have a rare opportunity to shape the future of our profession
6 OTnews January 2022