made in each module . In addition to rating the programme modules , on the first and last session participants are also asked to rate the areas of : confidence ; motivation ; activity levels ; functional ability ; social contact with others ; loneliness ; and overall quality of life .
Using the Adapted Recovery Star proved effective for participants and facilitators . Using the first session in this way developed group cohesion among participants , as they were able to identify shared difficulties and coping strategies at an early stage in the programme .
Above ( Table 1 ): Self-rated level of difficulty before and after the programme
Above ( Table 2 ): Self-rated level of difficulty before and after the programme
needs during the initial contact – use the first session of the programme to support participants to complete the Adapted Recovery Star .
Participants are asked to rate themselves on a scale of one to 10 ( where one equals no problems or difficulties at all and 10 equals the worst or most difficult it could be ). In this way , it provides a self-reported baseline of function .
This allows the OTs to understand the priorities for each participant and build a unique programme that meets individual and group needs .
Participants complete the Adapted Recovery Star at the first session and the last session , with family members present to support and assist if they so choose . During this time , participants may revise their goals and the format of the Adapted Recovery Star allows them to draw a line linking their scores to demonstrate their journey in a visual way .
This is repeated on the last session , so that participants can reflect on the progress they have
Participants ’ journeys
Outcomes from a group facilitated by the Dementia Wellbeing Community Team OT in North Carmarthenshire indicate that after re-rating on the Adapted Recovery Star during the final session , the level of difficulty now experienced , having completed the programme , reduced for all of the areas initially identified as difficult in the first session ( see tables 1 and 2 ).
Table 2 indicates the before and after programme self-ratings for other markers , including confidence , motivations , activity levels , functional ability , social contact with others , loneliness and overall quality of life .
Having completed the programme , participants rated themselves as having increased or improved in all areas except loneliness , which was surprising given that increased social contact with others had improved .
Overall , participants said they experienced an increase in their overall quality of life . The facilitator encourages participants to maintain contact outside of the programme , while acknowledging this is entirely their choice ; this has been beneficial for some participants and a few remain in contact after the programme has finished .
We listened , we heard , we adapted
A number of reviews have been conducted with participants and their family members , without the facilitators being present .
Journey through Dementia programme roller banners and A4 desk top information , with flip over pages for each module topic , were introduced after it was identified that some participants were struggling to retain the focus of the group and content .
This provides a visual prompt for participants and the opportunity to be aware of the aims of the session and to ask any questions .
One participant has asked for a copy of the roller banner and this has been provided in the form of an A4 photocopy of the content . In
24 OTnews May 2024