27 October 2020
It’s World Occupational Therapy Week! Your chance to get an insight into the amazing work that Occupational Therapists (OTs) do and how they support people in need. If you've ever wanted to become an OT, now is your chance to find out what it can be like! Join our OT's Deb, Kim, Lauren, and Julia as they go about their days.
08:00 Today is my ‘clinical assessment day’, I’m supported by Mick in the warehouse to collect stock for potential install. We cover a huge geographical area and it makes good logistical sense for me to install, where appropriate, at the same time as assessing – I often have a good idea of what might be needed by telephoning Persons before the full assessment.
08:30 Stock all scanned to my car, coffee made, PPE collected, hands washed and I’m ready for off – quite the drive today. I have Gabby with me, one of Triage Officers – she’s requested a day of shadowing to support her personal development with assessing for TECS (Technology Enabled Care) over the phone. At this point she didn’t realise there was a reflection to complete at the end of the day!
Immediately after the pic was taken we discussed Covid security in the car – Gabby rightly pointed out that we need to wear our masks and follow the procedure – excellent work Gabby!
10:00 First appointment was with a Person living with Dementia in her own home. We met with her Son who gave us most of the information we needed. Priorities for the family were discussed and a baseline for the Personal Outcome Measures were agreed. Mum was with her private carer, so we agreed to return to install the equipment later this week. Gabby told me that she’d recognised how I’d reflected the information given back to the Son to confirm the priorities for the family.
12:00 A referral for a child who is living with complex needs; we discussed the challenges with Mum and dad. We were able to recommend a widely available app for the young person’s phone to assist Mum and Dad in supporting his safety and independence, and recommended an installation of a bed occupancy and pager system to compliment and support the intervention from the behavioural team around his sleep hygiene.
12:45 We’re getting hungry now, so I took Gabby to my favourite spot in Scarborough for an Oat Latte and chips fried in the Vegan fryer, lovely views and a chance to reflect on the morning. We chatted about how difficult it is to find toilets in the community during lockdown!
13:30 On to our next visit, an assessment and installation for a lady who is supported by her husband. He’s really missing his golfing days and tells us that they’re crucial for his own health. We fitted a lifeline with mobile response, Mr Person thanked us, and we noted that safety and carer wellbeing were priority for this family. Mrs Person was very hard of hearing and I removed mask so she could communicate with me – thankfully it was a long living room and we were able to remain socially distant!
Gabby and I discussed what we could see during the visit and discussed the significance of Mrs Person making a cup of tea and returning with 2 empty cups.
14:30 Last visit of the day to a Person living with the effects of multiple strokes, he told us that he’s really concerned about falling and not being able to call anyone as he doesn’t have any visitors now they’re restricted due to Coronavirus. Mr Person offered us tea and this gave me an opportunity to analyse his mobility, cognition etc for decision making about the solution. We installed a lifeline, neck worn falls detector with mobile response and signposted him to services within North Yorkshire Country Council to support him with groceries and medications. He told us that he was less afraid of mobilising and falling now that he had access to support.
15:00 Time to set off back to base and drop Gabby off, on our journey we reflected on our day and what we’d seen. I asked Gabby to complete a simple “what, so what, now what” reflection on one element of the day.
16:00 Back at the depot and time to set off home, I love my ‘clinical’ days!
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