Improving access to meaningful activity for people with dementia in the acute hospital setting
Within my role as Dementia Specialist Occupational Therapist role at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals
2015 – 2018
- Service improvement to support people with dementia to thrive during their hospital stay.
- Supported by my completion of the Leading for Quality programme provided by Health Education Kent Surrey and Sussex, in Spring 2016.
- Developed a “Meaningful Activity for People with Dementia” resource folder to support the Dementia Unit.
- Outcomes: Meaningful activities are now part of the usual running of the dementia unit. Health care assistants are using personalised meaningful activity as part of their day to day working to improve the hospital experience for people with dementia.
- Lower incidents of patient distress.
Supporting residential care homes within Brighton and Hove to reduce the risk of falls and fractures
Within my role as Falls Specialist Practitioner / Occupational Therapist at Sussex Community NHS Trust
2012 – 2015
- The post began in July 2012 with a performance target of a 10% reduction in number of admissions for falls and fractures. Within a year the data evidenced a 22% decrease in admissions.
- Implementing a bespoke, personalised training programme, delivered in a flexible, responsive and holistic manner. Key features included:
-Training both residential care home managers and staff, centrally and in-house
-Targeted interventions and care planning for care home residents at high risk of falls
-Giving guidance with reporting and risk assessment tools to increase safety
-Offering support and guidance with environmental changes including for those bidding for Kings Fund Dementia Friendly Environment funding
Couples living well with dementia peer support group
Within my Occupational Therapist role with Memory Services at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
2010 – 2012
- Development and implementation of a peer support group and information programme supporting couples, one partner with a new diagnosis of dementia, to live well with the condition.
- The programme included memory strategies, coping and stress reducing strategies, problem solving techniques, the importance of roles and routine, re-engaging with meaningful activities and planning for the future.
- Feedback received indicated that all involved felt more confident about the future and more able to live well with the condition.