Long-term conditions
The centre focuses on living well with Parkinson ’ s and on delivering greater impact by fostering a multidisciplinary environment . Our integration is key to streamlining goal achievement for our members .”
Long-term conditions
Feature
The centre also hosts cutting-edge research to better understand and treat Parkinson ’ s and to support continuous service improvement . Allied educational programmes are also offered to train the next generation of healthcare practitioners and scientists in this integrated approach to non-drug intervention .
Within the centre , the role of occupational therapy covers many areas and intervention is always person centred . We offer a friendly and welcoming service in a community-based setting and our aim is to help people navigate and manage their condition proactively , whatever stage in their journey with Parkinson ’ s .
People self-refer to the service , so motivation is high , and as an occupational therapist there is a relish to come alongside and use a coaching-based approach to help to frame and set personal and meaningful goals .
We also offer a ‘ quick access ’ service before members have been triaged , in order to meet service need .
The centre focuses on living well with Parkinson ’ s and on delivering greater impact by fostering a multidisciplinary environment . Our integration is key to streamlining goal achievement for our members .
One example would be a member wanting to return to cycling as an activity they previously enjoyed . By working in combination with occupational therapy , physiotherapy and a personal trainer , the ability to access an adapted bike at a local cycle path with other Parkinson ’ s members – increasing their communication and social networking opportunities – can be attained .
We are able to develop skills , provide information to maximise function , achieve personal goals and participate fully in daily lives to live well with Parkinson ’ s .
Occupational therapy is helping to increase individual skill level , for example by providing ‘ hands on ’ treatment aimed at body-level problems , such as practising changing patterns of movement when moving from lying to sitting .
Education on strategies , aids and adaptations is also a key component , relevant to the symptoms and challenges of Parkinson ’ s , such as tremor management .
We look at challenges in conjunction with our members and the impact on their daily lives and design management strategies to increase confidence and participation in meaningful roles , such as socialising with friends , being able to manage beauty regimes , or access clothing linked closely with personal identity .
As Parkinson ’ s affects a range of non-motor areas , by helping to modify or re-frame daily
The centre focuses on living well with Parkinson ’ s and on delivering greater impact by fostering a multidisciplinary environment . Our integration is key to streamlining goal achievement for our members .”
1 in 37 activities we can assist members to make informed choices on roles and activities that are meaningful to them .
Acceptance and people live with Parkinson ’ s adjustment are key disease , a prevalence that is
components to living well set to nearly double by with a chronic long-term
2065 condition . One member described the fluctuations in their condition as an opportunity to take each day as it comes and to proactively plan for rest and mindfulness within their daily routine .
Carer support is also embraced within the centre , as we understand how the condition affects the wider support network and how vital the role of carer can be in providing support . We are about to create placement opportunities for occupational therapy trainees . We are also developing partnerships for accessibility and inclusion within the local community and are developing ‘ in house ’ events , such as accessible clothing and wellbeing events .
There are exciting opportunities to partner with local services to offer education and training , to develop inclusive and accessible local services and to spread understanding of Parkinson ’ s to enrich quality of life for all involved in the care initiatives we are promoting .
Words KATIE SKELTON , Occupational Therapist , Parkinson ’ s Centre for Integrated Therapy . To find out more visit www . kent . ac . uk / parkinsons
September 2023 OTnews 19