The OT Magazine – Nov / Dec 2021 by 2A Publishing

THE

MAGAZINE Issue 43 | Nov/Dec 21 | Improving Independence

FESTIVE FUN Embracing messy play and sensory activities with kids this Christmas

COLU M NS

PRO DUC T S

CPD

EVENTS

MENTAL HEALTH

Your Bathroom Adaptation Specialists Come and visit our stand at The OT Show

C62

Accessible Showering Environments

Mobility Adaptation Specialists

We know that having the right mobility solution in place can make a life changing difference to families.

For all your adaptation requirements, specialising in adaptations within the care sector across the UK with our own dedicated employed installation team.

Specialist Bathing Equipment

Enabling & Restoring Independence

Our aim is to enable the less-abled in the comfort of their own home.

Our adaptations create safer environments for users and carers alike.

eamobility.com

0800 955 8810

About us

The Team

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Production: Donna Deakin Sales: Danny McGonigle Contributors: Kate Sheehan, Naomi Scott, Maggie Bracher, Mikey Erdhart, Rachel Hirst

This month’s issue...

Get in touch

t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Ok, we know, we know… it may feel too early for some but everything seems to be happening earlier and earlier these days, so we are just going with it, hence our festive-themed cover this issue.

2A Publishing, 20-23 Woodside Place, Glasgow, G3 7QL 0141 465 2960 ot-magazine.co.uk The OT Magazine @ot_magazine

Disclaimer

The OT Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in The OT Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2021 © 2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN-2056-7146

With Christmas firmly stamped in our minds we thought we would take a look at some of the messy, wonderful, sensory activities that kids of all different abilities can take part in. Get into some festive, messy play on page 54. You will also find a great guide to accessible makeup on page 39, the discovery of many of these products could transform the lives of patients you work with who struggle to apply makeup easily or independently. This issue also explores the advantages of future proofing homes to ensure people can remain in their homes for as long as possible, safely and independently, in later life. We also explore the research that is going into using brain exercises and training games to help prevent falls in older people. Alongside the traditional falls prevention programmes, keeping the brain active could help with balance and gait, and reduce the risk of falling. Read more on page 44. We are so excited to be able to attend The OT Show this year, we really missed the show last year. It is such a great opportunity to meet so many of you and we look forward to seeing you there this year, come see us on stand D58! The OT Magazine, Editor

SUBSCRIBE TODAY Further your career and enhance your CPD by subscribing to The OT Magazine

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What’s inside 28

07 What’s New

Bringing you up-to-speed with all the latest news from the health sector

13 Prevention or

Crisis Management

Kate Sheehan asks if enough is being done to prevent crisis management with elderly clients

14 Future Proofing The importance of setting up homes to maintain independence

19 Product Focus The latest must-have products on the market

25 Day in the Life Naomi Scott explains what her day is like as an OT in a low secure unit

26 Meal in a Box Are meal kits a method by which OTs could encourage independence?

28 Equine Facilitated

Occupational Therapy

Meet Maggie Bracher, co-founder of Equine Facilitated Occupational Therapy

35 Product Focus More of the latest must-have products 4

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39 Glam Guide Makeup that ensures Christmastime glamour is accessible for all

42 The OT Show Everything that’s happening at this year’s OT Show

44 Falls Prevention Can brain exercises reduce the risk of falls for older people?

46 Improving Access

Product

Focus 35

to Sport

Get Yourself Active’s Mikey Erdhart explores why co-production could help more disabled people into sport

50 Enabling Greater

Independence

OT Rachel Hirst explains the work she and the team at the William Merritt Centre do every day

54 Feeling like

Christmas

Festive-themed sensory activities for younger clients

58 Paediatric Products Innovative products for your younger clients

65 Events Calendar Essential dates for your diary -magazine.co.uk

We explore what’s happening in the healthcare sector, from new products and services to inspirational stories

What’s new? HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE LEVY In September the government announced that they were increasing funding for health and social care over the next three years. This will come from a new tax known as the Health and Social Care Levy which will initially be collected from an increase in national insurance contributions. Beginning in April 2022, this new tax is expected to raise approximately £36billion over three years to be invested in health and social care reform. Of this figure, £5.4 billion has been ringfenced for social care with £500million of this being dedicated to the development of the social care workforce. The funding will also add a new cap of £86,000 on the amount that anyone in England will need to spend on lifetime care costs and a move in the value of assets will allow more people to access support for care in later life. The remainder of this fund will be used to alleviate the pressure on the NHS. RCOT Chief Executive Steve Ford commented on the announcement:

“We’re pleased that the government is starting to look at the future for social care, but today’s announcement is thin on detail other than on the levy. There is also little on how the government proposes to break down the historic divisions between health and social care, beyond a short reference to the development of a future integration plan and vague mention of reform. “Social care should be provided to all who need it and free at the point of use, to help address the inequalities COVID-19 has shone a light on the sector. Whilst today’s announcement will provide relief to some, the announcement of £5.4bn over three years with no guarantees of sustainable funding beyond this is a big concern for the long-term future of care. “Nor does it say the government will address the real issues in the social care workforce which are leading to chronic shortages all over the country. Occupational therapists as well as other allied health professions

will have listened in vain to hear about how the government intends to tackle the issues they face on a daily basis. “Whilst it is positive that in principle the government has committed at least £500m of funding for the development of the social care workforce, it is not nearly enough to fund this, mental health support, and also reform key aspects of the workforce. For social care staff it is offset by the extra levy that they and their employers will pay, which will take more resources out of the system. “It is now the time to improve access, quality, and levels of social care and rehabilitation support, so that those who need it receive the care they need, when they need it. Those working in social care must have parity of esteem with the NHS workforce and be given proper development opportunities. We cannot wait until 2023 to start tackling these issues, we need to start now.”

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NEW CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR AHPS Performing Medicine, specialist in arts-based healthcare training and research, has announced its new programme which includes a range of live courses and creative workshops designed specifically for health and social care professionals to manage post-pandemic workforce changes and challenges. Open to all those working in a health and social care environment across clinical and non-clinical roles, the programme offers a range of courses

and workshops to support mental health and wellbeing. Covering everything from self-care and managing stress, to communicating with a mask and anatomical art, the courses are also delivered both live online and face-to-face. Jo McLean, executive director at Performing Medicine said: “The recent easing of restrictions does not mark the end of the pandemic or the challenges for the health and social sector workforce. We are mindful

that there remains a strong need to support people working in the sector; to help people adapt to the changes and manage the ongoing challenges. Performing Medicine’s Open Programme Autumn 2021 is led by expert artist practitioners who work across movement, voice and sculpture using skills and techniques to support mental health and wellbeing.” Visit performingmedicine.com for more information.

Thanking Unsung Heroes In 2019, a social thanking platform called Thank and Praise (TAP) was created by couple, Sandie and Phillip Curtis, who had received outstanding care for their son who lives with additional needs. They often struggled to thank the individuals who supported them and recognised the need for creating a platform to allow people to do this. Following research with over 250 members of the public (before the pandemic), they found a strong statistic: “on average, 70% of people who describe themselves as “thankers” do not get to give thanks”. This number has increased throughout the pandemic. They took it upon themselves to create a unique platform to allow service users to acknowledge and thank the unsung heroes that provide care and support in healthcare and education settings. TAP allows individuals to send messages of thanks through relevant digital channels; website, WhatsApp, email and social media. TAP checks the messages for positivity only and shares them with the appropriate organisation

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and media channels. Since March 2020 there have been more than 4,300 messages of thanks shared by the public and co-workers and it has had a very positive impact on both the recipients and those giving

thanks. TAP can also facilitate anyone looking to raise funds for a particular organisation. You can find out more about this platform at thankandpraise.com.

CHARITY LAUNCHES ACTIVITY HUB

Charity Community Integrated Care has launched a unique, accessible, online activities hub in partnership with leading sports, cultural and community groups.

participate in. Every session is hosted by a specialist deliverer and participants can expect hours of fun and creative experiences to keep them engaged, active and upbeat.

In collaboration with rugby league club Leeds Rhinos, charity Pompey in the Community, Age Exchange and Rugby League World Cup 2021, the activities hub hosts everything from creative art classes and discos, to cooking and exercise sessions.

The website also hosts a range of free resources for people who access care and support, and paid and family carers. This includes physical activity training packs, arts toolkits, and several programmes that promote independent living skills.

The website offers activities every day of the week and each session is designed to be accessible for disabled and older people to

Check out what-to-do.co.uk to find out more about their seasonal activities coming up.

RESEARCH RAISES CONCERNS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN British Blind Sport, Thomas Pocklington Trust and the University of Central Lancashire have conducted research into the motor development in young people with a visual impairment linked to participation in sports and physical activity. The research examines motor competence in children and young people with a visual impairment. It looks to understand the sport and physical activity habits of children with visual impairments, as well as identify any gaps in physical development and or motor competence in comparison with their sighted peers. The study also looks at how participation in sport and physical activity affects the mental and social wellbeing of young people with visual impairments. The interim research has found that physical activity is a significant predictor of wellbeing, yet over 90% of visually impaired young people spend their free-time involved in

sedentary activity. Alaina MacGregor, chief executive of British Blind Sport, said: “We are pleased to have been working in partnership with Thomas Pocklington Trust and the University of Central Lancashire on this important piece of research. The findings offer a unique insight and highlight the barriers to participation faced by many young children living with a visual impairment. Sport and physical activity have been proven as a powerful tool in improving people’s lives. The outcomes of this report will assist us and many of our stakeholders to develop services supporting early intervention and help remove obstacles to participation at a vital stage for physical development in a child’s life. The research demonstrates the need to raise awareness and ensure that all young people with sight loss have access to physical education opportunities that help them to develop motor skills, get active and lead healthier and happier lives.”

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NHS England begins employment drive NHS England is offering hundreds of jobs in a wide variety of sectors as part of its annual recruitment drive, aiming to bring new starters into the health service. This is the fourth year of the campaign, which the NHS says helps to boost annual applications by publicising them through the media. There are currently more than 1.3 million people working for the NHS - an increase of 30,000 since June of last year. Last year’s We are the NHS campaign saw a 35% increase in nursing applications compared to the previous year. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “NHS staff have been

at the forefront of the country’s response to COVID-19, pulling out all the stops to care for more than 450,000 patients in hospital with coronavirus, while delivering the most successful vaccination programme in health service history. “Working for the NHS lets you live a thousand lives through the patients and families you care for, and with around 350 different roles to choose from, there is something for everyone. “Joining the NHS was the best decision I ever made, and I’d encourage anyone, whether you’re a school leaver, recent graduate or simply looking for a new challenge to consider joining – no matter what

CQC WARNS OF RISK OF “TSUNAMI OF UNMET NEED” IN SOCIAL CARE The Care Quality Commission has warned that a lack of stability in social care could result in an impact on the ability to deliver care in its annual assessment of the state of health, published last month. The report, which examines the quality of care in England over the 2020/21 period, noted that the success of the vaccination program has provided much needed hope in spite of the pandemic, which will continue to “cast a long shadow over all aspects of life, especially the health and care system.” However, Ian Trenholm, chief executive of CQC, warned that more instability in the sector could create a domino effect which “risks becoming a tsunami of unmet need across all sectors, with increasing numbers of people unable to access care.” He said: “This year, more people than ever have contacted us with feedback and concerns about care.

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And as we go into winter, the health and care workforce are exhausted and depleted – which has clear implications for the vital care they deliver. “While staffing is an issue for all sectors, we’re particularly concerned about adult social care. We’re seeing rising vacancy rates, some providers having to hand back their registrations as they don’t have enough staff to deliver care, and examples of quality suffering due to lack of staff. “If the new government funding is to have an impact, it needs to be used to do things differently and to develop genuinely collaborative ways of working across all care settings. And staff need to be supported and rewarded. In order to attract and retain the right people to work in adult social care, there must be a sharp focus on developing a clearly defined career pathway – linked to training, supported by consistent

your experience or qualifications – a fulfilling, rewarding and exciting career awaits”. Suzanne Rastrick, chief allied health professions officer for England, said: “Allied health professionals provide treatment and rehabilitation to adults and children who are ill, have disabilities or special needs, helping them to live life as fully as possible. “There are a huge range of roles available, from podiatrists and prosthetists to orthoptists and radiographers, so I urge anyone who is interested to search NHS careers and take the first step towards a career in healthcare”.

investment, and better terms and conditions and pay. Peter Wyman, chair of CQC, added: “The challenge now is for every system to learn from these examples of innovation to ensure that their local population receives the care it needs, with leaders focused on delivering a transformation in the way that people access and experience care. “The future must be focused on outcomes for people – all people – who need care, supported by transformational changes to workforce, funding, commissioning and oversight. Rather than attempting a return to business as usual, we must grasp this opportunity to build something better – a health and care system that works for everyone.”

SAVOUR THE FLAVOURS OF CHRISTMAS Try for yourself Book a

FREE

TASTING SESSION

Wiltshire Farm Foods is part of the apetito family, providers of award winning meals to hospitals.apetito.co.uk hospitals. apetito.co.uk

We take huge care over every dish, so you can be conﬁdent your patients can enjoy great food. Head Chef

We want everyone to be able to enjoy a festive dinner with their families this Christmas. That’s why we’ve added to our award winning Softer Foods range with our Christmas menu!

A dedicated range for those with swallowing difficulties.

There’s no contract, so your patients can simply order as much or as little as they like - we can even put their dishes away into their freezer for them on delivery. Pop straight into the microwave or oven from frozen and voilà - a nutritious meal that’s delicious to eat and safe to swallow.

Friendly local drivers they’ll get to know.

Over 80 dishes made in line with IDDSI standards, including breakfast, snacks and deserts. Level 4 - Purée Meals

Level 5 - Minced Meals

Smaller portioned, calorie dense options.

No contract or commitment. Reassurance that your patients are eating well at home. Level 6 - Soft & Bite-Sized Meals

To order brochures for your patients or request a free tasting session

visit: wff.link/HCPrequest or call 0800 524 4207

Kate Sheehan Director, The OT Service

The OT Service provides high quality advice, consultancy and training to manufacturers, retailers and service providers. It also provides occupational therapy clinical services in housing and equipment to case managers, solicitors and private individuals via its handpicked network of occupational therapists. For more info email kate@theotservice.co.uk

PREVENTION OR CRISIS MANAGEMENT

– ARE WE DOING ENOUGH?

he last two years have really made me reflect on my life; what’s important, what needs to change, and how I achieve these adjustments. It has also made me think more about occupational therapy and what we can do as a profession to influence healthy, inclusive, and rewarding old age. Even writing “old age” brings up stereotypical images of one’s own dotage; walking frames, bath lifts, raised toilet seats, incontinence pads, and lots of not-so-fantastic white plastic grab rails, all of which I am going to fight tooth and nail to avoid having in my home. Yet, why do I have such a negative view about these things? Is it because society values the physically fit and able, seeing those in their older age as a burden, with all those negative connotations that come with the word burden? We need to change this narrative and realise that the older population have and will continue to have a huge benefit to society through volunteering, informal childcare, and mentoring, because they are the people who have the time to do these things. The Centre for Ageing Better states: “The UK’s population is undergoing a massive age shift. In less than 20 years, one in four people will be over 65.” We need to plan, not crisis manage. As a profession we need to look at how we support the older population and one thing that I am passionate

about is the built environment. We react to crisis situations: 1 I cannot get in the bath 2 I cannot get on or off the toilet 3 My stairs are just too much for me 4 I cannot get out my house without help 5 My wife has gone into hospital; I cannot wash myself without her help Naturally, we need to address these situations, but what can we do as a preventative approach? The Care Act in 2014 in England and similar legislation in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, talked about the need to “prevent and delay the development of needs for care and support”, yet how much time or finances do we as a country spend on the prevention agenda in these times of austerity? We need to begin to make ageing fun, get people in their 50s engaging with the changes. We need to get them to understand that forward planning will allow them to stay in their own homes for longer and more importantly, in a safer environment. By doing so they are investing in their future. We need a public health approach to address this, led by a multidisciplinary team of professionals with occupational therapists at the centre. It must be managed and promoted by public health bodies across the four nations, addressing planning for your future and

including advice in at least these three areas: 1 Healthy ageing – this is not just about physical fitness; it is about cognitive fitness and doing purposeful and meaningful activities that people enjoy doing, that stimulate your brain as well as your body. 2 Built environment - creating a home that adapts as you age, spending some time on planning how you are going to use your home if you have deteriorating health, for example, whilst refitting your bathroom, consider a walk-in shower with reinforced walls to take a seat or grab rails. 3 Financial wellbeing – advice on pensions and benefits, we often leave this too late and need to be aware of what we will have available to us when we retire or must stop work. We need to plan and prevent, not crisis manage, and we can only do this if people are informed. Ageing still has a stigma attached to it, so we need to get it out there that a healthy older age planned well, can be a positive chapter filled with new experiences, fun and laughter. Well, that’s my plan anyway, but I’m not retiring yet though!

We need to plan and prevent, not crisis manage -magazine.co.uk

Future Proofing The importance of keeping people safe and independent in their homes for as long as possible

e are all abundantly aware that we live in an ageing population, and that there is a huge amount of pressure on the NHS and social care sector to care for older individuals. People living longer comes with a huge range of health implications, decisions about care, pressure on family members, the huge cost of care homes and much more. The recent announcement of the new health and social care levy will see £5.4billion injected into social care over three years. The aim of this funding is to cap the lifetime care costs for individuals at £86,000 and to allow more people to access support for care in the later stages of their lives. Decisions around care are never easy, so many factors contribute to the decision process; health matters, safety concerns, family members, support networks, financial status. A decision to move an individual from their home can be very unsettling, even if it is the right decision to make and has their best interests at heart, it is always hard for those involved. Leaving a home you have lived in for years, decades even, can have an adverse effect on a person’s mental wellbeing too, so it is important to look at how we can keep individual’s in their own homes safely for longer. Many people approaching their later stages of life may be unwilling to even consider a time when they may be less mobile, or may need assistance bathing, or climbing the stairs, however, if we encourage people to start making conscious decisions earlier on the accessibility of their homes, it will end up benefitting them in the future. Addressing practical issues like where grab rails can be situated or whether a stairlift can be installed, can save a lot of money, time and anxiety over independence in the later stages of life. We take a look at some early intervention measures that can be recommended to help people remain independently at home for longer.

...you would be pleasantly surprised at how simple these installations now are 14

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BATHROOM

Retaining as much independence as possible in the bathroom is probably on the top of most people’s agendas. Assessing the accessibility of the bathroom early will allow people to look at their options to see whether replacing their bath with a walk-in shower is feasible. Walk-in showers are not only practical for later life, but they look modern and stylish too so they can be in keeping with a person’s style. Adding grab rails for support does not have to look clinical either or spoil the aesthetic, you can source chrome grab rails that are integrated into towel rails and shelves that just look like part of the furniture. The shower screen should be considered carefully too as glass can pose a danger if there is a fall, Perspex shower screens are much safer. It may also be worth considering non-slip flooring for the bathroom instead of tiles. This can greatly reduce the risk of falls and injuries due to wet, slippy tiled floors.

HEATING

STAIRS

Even if the property only has a two-step rise to another level, this can completely obstruct access for a wheelchair user or someone recovering from an injury or surgery. Stairlifts are a great option for many circumstances and there are now options to hire stairlifts for a period of time rather than paying outright to have one installed, depending on circumstances. However, some properties are not able to have stairlifts installed and some people are not advised to use a stairlift for safety reasons. In these cases, you will find a variety of innovative domestic lifts on the market nowadays. It may sound like installing a lift in a home would be a structural nightmare that would turn the home into a building site for weeks on end, but you would be pleasantly surprised at how simple these installations now are. There are several companies out there that specialise in simple, discreet, effective installations that do not upset the layout of the home and can be installed in virtually any home. Platform lifts can be a great option for lower rise areas or outdoor steps too.

Feeling the cold more acutely is a natural byproduct of aging, so it is important to ensure the heating system for the home is working efficiently and is as affordable as possible. Open-plan areas can be much more difficult to heat, so the placement of radiators or the consideration of under-floor heating can be an economical option in some cases. Ensuring windows and doors are in good working order and there are no drafts allowing the hot air to escape is very important. Looking into grants and funding for upgrading windows in older properties can be crucial to helping insulate the property and lower heating bills.

GARDEN/ OUTDOOR AREA There’s a real pleasure in spending time in your own outdoor space, whether that be a large grassy garden or a small terrace adorned with home grown plants and herbs. The fresh air is always good for you, no matter what age you are, and having your own little outdoor sanctuary can be great for your mental health and wellbeing. Ensuring that this space is level and easily accessible is important, unlevel paths or wobbly steps can lead to falls so it is a good idea to recommend addressing this early on. The mental health benefits of gardening are well known, so making sure that access to planting areas is clear and safe will keep people gardening for as long as they can.

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Why Choose Wessex? Wessex Lifts have been designing, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining lifting equipment for in and around homes and businesses since 1976

ur best selling products are our through-floor lifts. These are designed to be easy to install and with minimal impact in the home. A hole, or aperture, is cut between the floors which the lift needs to provide access to, tracks are fitted, and the lift is fitted. On the upper level, we fit a moveable cover for the floor so that the aperture is protected at all times. This through-floor product comes in different designs and styles. Our VM, for example, is an ‘open-car’ design, which cuts down the cost of the lift and is ideal for those who can operate the lift by themselves. If multiple, or standing, passengers need to use the lift simultaneously, our VE or Elesse models use an ‘enclosed-car’ design, which means they’re safe to operate with multiple or standing occupants. The difference between the VE and Elesse is that the Elesse features a premium, sleek, modern design. Our other products are platform lifts. These are all designed to be fitted indoors and outdoors, and are for public spaces as well as in private residence. They are designed for longevity, and are able to withstand various tough weather conditions. They’re separated by what height they can provide access to, and our smallest ‘travel’ lift is the SP Step Lift. The SP takes occupants to heights of just half a metre, making it ideal for overcoming just a few tricky steps (where a ramp may not be an option due to space limitations). Our LR Low Rise Lift has a travel of one metre, and is often used in similar situations to the SP. Our Liberty Open Lift can potentially travel three metres, and is more commonly used to travel large flights of stairs as a result. Finally, our Liberty 3 is our highest travel lift, able to travel six metres. This lift is extremely versatile, and the pinnacle of the Wessex range. Aside from our wide range of solutions available, Wessex offer great benefits to customers. We pride ourselves in being especially skilled when creating one-of-a-kind solutions for customers who need something unique. From an automatically operated Elesse for an Orthodox Jewish couple observing the Sabbath, to multiple occasions of full vinyl wraps on our VM in a child’s bedroom, anything is possible! We’re able to do this because we design and manufacture all our lifts on the

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same site as our offices, so we can easily communicate complicated custom designs. If you’re looking for an access solution, please get in contact with us on 01794 830303, email sales@ wessexlifts.co.uk, or visit our website wessexlifts. co.uk for more information.

Freedom In And Around The Home Wessex Lifts have been designing, innovating, manufacturing, and installing through-floor lifts and platform lifts alongside Occupational Therapists for nearly five decades in the UK! With one of the widest ranges of home lift sizes and available on the market, it’s no wonder we’re the UK market leaders. No matter the situation, we’ll find a solution for you.

Come and find out more about our range of products and solutions at the OT Show 2021!

W E N

OMNICARE

ULTRA THE PERFECT FIT

FOR REPLACEMENT INSTALLATIONS

THERMOSTATIC CARE SHOWERS

DESIGN | SAFETY | SIMPLICITY

tritonshowers.co.uk/care-electric-showers

Product FOCUS Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your clients.

TRITON ULTRA THERMOSTATIC CARE SHOWER

Triton’s Ultra, from the Omnicare electric care range, combines safety with style to cater to customers with diverse needs. For complete peace of mind, it has been expertly and independently tested, carrying both RNIB and BEAB Care approvals for safety and performance. A number of accessories are also available, which can be specified and installed depending on individual user requirements. Find out more on the Triton website. tritonshowers.co.uk 2

INFINITY CHAIR

On stand D59 at The OT Show, Rise & Recline Ltd, will be debuting two new chairs - the Infinity and the Infinity Plus. They have maximum user weights of 25st (160kg) and 40st (254kg) respectably and offer a comprehensive range of tilt in space and design options as standard. riseandrecline.co.uk | 0115 913 3572

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WESSEX LIFTS

Wessex Lifts, based in Hampshire, have been designing, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining throughfloor and platform lifts for nearly five decades. Their lifts provide effective accessibility solutions for public spaces, as well as in and around domestic dwellings. Get in touch for more information on domestic lift solutions. wessexlifts.co.uk | 01794 830303

FOLDING SHOPPING TROLLEY

This stylish shopping bag trolley is the ideal companion for nipping to the shops. Users no longer need to wheel an empty shopping trolley down the road as it folds up into the front pocket simply and easily in just three folds, only to be opened when needed. It looks great too in this dotty style. aspenofhereford.com | 01568 610 944 5

NEAL’S YARD WARMING SALVE

This luxurious Neal’s Yard remedy is made with 100% organic ingredients and includes ginger, rosemary and cayenne to achieve a warming salve that eases and comforts when applied and massaged into the skin. The perfect blend for the end of a cold winter’s day for anyone who needs to relieve some aches and pains and feel the warming benefits. nealsyardremedies.com

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KOMFIES HEATED SLIPPERS

These cosy, soft slipper boots will keep toes nice and snug this winter as they have removable and heatable clay inserts that hold heat for up to 30 minutes. The warmth, not only serves to keep feet warm, but it can improve circulation, provide relief from aches and pain and help wearer’s relax. The soles are non-slip and they come in grey or pink. kudd.ly 7

MAYFAIR DERBY CANE

This adjustable walking cane is perfect for any special Christmas events or occasions. The stylish marble-style handle is supportive and comfortable, and the crystal collar detail adds a bit of glamour. Sure to complement any outfit for a smart occasion this cane can also be set to heights between 70-92cm. stickandcaneshop.co.uk 0345 602 3712 8

RISE AND FALL SHOWER TROLLEY

Care & Independence’s Rise & Fall Shower Trolley makes for easier washing and changing. Top sideways-tilt function provides superb positioning and the padded dropdown sides add additional safety. Plus, with powered functionality and ten size options, this is a great bathing solution for those less able. careandindependence.com 0330 128 0808

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What is the Motability Scheme? The Motability Scheme currently provides over 600,000 disabled people and their families with affordable, convenient, worry-free motoring, enabling them to exchange their mobility allowance to lease a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. Who can apply?

Providing additional financial help

The Motability Scheme is available to anyone who receives one of the following allowances, and has at least 12 months’ award length remaining when they apply:

Motability is a national charity, which oversees the Motability Scheme and may be able to provide charitable grants to disabled people who are eligible to join the Scheme but are unable to afford the vehicle, adaptations or driving lessons they need.

1 Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance 2 Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment 3 War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement 4 Armed Forces Independence Payment 5 Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment A parent or carer can apply on behalf of a child aged three or older and non-drivers can still apply, nominating up to three people to drive for them. How does it work? Customers simply exchange their mobility allowance to lease a suitable vehicle which includes insurance, tyre and windscreen repair or replacement, servicing and maintenance, breakdown cover and road tax. Customers can choose from a range of over 1,500 vehicles, from the major manufacturers. A similar Scheme is available for powered wheelchairs and scooters. Cars are supplied through a national network of almost 5,000 Motability Dealer Partners. There is also a network of accredited suppliers of powered wheelchairs and scooters. Adaptations to cars For most Motability Scheme customers, a standard car or automatic is suitable for their needs, but around 10% need adaptations to enable them to drive safely, or travel in comfort as a passenger. As part of the lease, a range of popular adaptations are available at no additional cost, such as push-pull hand controls and left-foot accelerators. 22

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About Motability, the Charity Our vision is that no disabled person shall be disadvantaged due to poor access to transportation. Driving lessons Through our Driving Lessons Grant Programme, Motability, the Charity, can provide grants towards the cost of learning to drive for disabled people who have a provisional licence and want a full licence. We can also provide grants to disabled people who already have a licence but need familiarisation lessons; for example, if they need to get used to new driving adaptations. If you have a provisional driving licence, we can offer up to 40 hours of driving lessons to help you pass your driving test. Further information To find out more about the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk. To find information on the grants available from Motability, visit motability.org.uk/grants. Lifestyle magazine All Motability Scheme customers can receive a copy of the free quarterly magazine Lifestyle. The magazine contains a mix of news and articles from Motability and the Motability Scheme, as well as interesting content and articles across a range of topics. Lifestyle is also available to read online motability.org.uk/about/lifestylemagazine. Lifestyle is published on behalf of Motability by Wonderly, part of Haymarket Media Group, Bridge House, 69 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SP.

Making life easier for disabled people

If you are a healthcare professional, you may have clients who would benefit from the freedom and independence that the Motability Scheme can provide. To order your free information pack visit: motability.org.uk/advisors

To find out about the Motability Scheme visit:

motability.co.uk or call 0800 093 1000

Motability is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (No.299745) and in Scotland (No.SC050642). Motability is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference No.736309). All cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs provided under the Motability Scheme are leased to customers by Motability Operations Ltd, who operate the Scheme on a contract basis for Motability. Motability Operations Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference No.735390).

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What is your current role and how long have you been in it? I am a Band 6 occupational therapist working in a low secure unit in Wales. I have been in the role since March 2020, which, little did I know, would be the start of a global pandemic!

Describe a typical day... 8am: I arrive at the unit and have a bit of time to check my emails before handover. My desk is actually on the ward itself so when I come onto the ward I usually have a chat to the patients and staff who are in the communal area and it’s a lovely time of the day to catch the early risers. 8.30am: The OT team takes it in turns to receive a handover from the wards about the previous day and night, to make us aware of any risks or incidents. 9am: We have an OT meeting where we feed back the handover and discuss any issues we may need to consider when planning interventions. 10am: Once a week we have a ward round meeting where we discuss each patient and their progress in the last fortnight. The multidisciplinary team is made up of a psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist and nursing. This forum allows us to give

. f o e f i l e th Naomi

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feedback about progress towards occupational therapy goals and discuss future plans. This meeting allows the multidisciplinary team to discuss granting leaves, visits with family and friends, and plans for moving on from the unit. Whilst I’m on ward rounds, the brilliant occupational therapy technicians run groups including a sports group, walking group, and craft group. 12.30pm: Lunch 1pm: My role in the unit particularly involves supporting patients to develop their independent living skills in readiness for moving on from the unit. I therefore facilitate one-to-one sessions where I assess activities of daily living skills including cooking, community skills and budgeting. Following assessments I may use these one-to-one sessions to develop and maintain skills. I also support patients to find and attend voluntary roles in the local community. 3-4pm: After I have finished with my one-to-one sessions I usually utilise some admin time, which might involve writing up clinical notes (we still have handwritten notes), writing up progress reports, or scoring MOHOST assessments. 4.30pm: I finish for the day.

What is the hardest thing about your role?

Each month ..

we talk to a differen occupati onal thera t pist to see wh at a typic al day is for the ma a little mo nd explain re about their role.

I think the hardest aspect of my role is the fact that ever since I have worked in my role we have had COVID-19 to contend with. At the beginning of the pandemic, as a unit we had to get used to PPE, new procedures and community activities coming to a close. It was a challenging time as the rules seemed to change day by day, so we were quickly having to adapt to new guidelines. It has been a tough time for both staff and patients but the patients have been incredible and adapted so well. In the initial lockdown we tried some new activities including tie dye and made thank you cards for all of the companies who kindly donated items to the unit.

What’s the best thing about your role? The best thing about my role is seeing patients achieve their goals, particularly with moving on from the unit. It is always a bittersweet feeling supporting a patient to leave the unit but it makes me so proud that they have worked with us to demonstrate their independence. Due to the nature of our service we may have patients who stay with us for a long period of time, I really enjoy getting to know them over this time and developing a meaningful therapeutic relationship.

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MEAL in a BOX Could meal kits be a way to encourage independence, assisting in meal planning, food preparation and more?

he ability to make, plan and shop for healthy meals is, for some, the definition of independence: paramount to their feelings of being able to care for their own needs is the ability to create sustenance. There are more barriers to this for some people than others, but cooking is a skill the can be learned and mastered, not just something that Gordon Ramsey and Nigella Lawson were born doing. Some people may become overwhelmed by the paralysing choice that surrounds cooking; there are, quite literally, millions of recipes out there in the universe, so what exactly do you cook on some random Tuesday night in the middle of winter? This is where meal kits may be a helpful recommendation for some clients or patients. The basic premise of these services is that fresh ingredients will be delivered directly to your door, in the exact quantity you require for the recipe that you chose from a selection that may or may not relate to your dietary requirements. They can then be prepared following the instructions provided, which can be kept and repeated as much as is seen fit, depending on if you enjoyed them or not. Not only do these meal kits remove the overwhelming aspects of choice, but they also walk the chef through everything in simple, easy-to-understand terminology that makes them a great choice for even the most entry-level cooks, accompanying them with images to illustrate how everything should be going. You will not be asked to mince your own beef or sous vide steaks - the very basics will see you right with meal kits, thankfully. Meal kits also aid in the prevention of food waste: because they send the equate quantity of ingredients needed for the recipe, home chefs will find themselves accruing less spoiled food in their fridges and cupboards. If you think meal kits could be something that you might recommend to a client but aren’t sure what to suggest, here are a few to get you started. 26

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HelloFresh Best for: Families Offers: First-time subscribers receive 50% off their first order and 35% off the next three; key workers can claim £15 off four boxes HelloFresh is a German company, and for one reason or another, seem to be the name most notably associated with the meal kit boom that’s occurred over the last few years. The meal kits can feed up to four people up to five times per week, with the lowest plan size (two people for three days per week) priced at £30.99 including delivery, working out at £4.50 per meal; feeding four people five times per week costs £68.99, equivalent to £3.25 per serving. The boxes can be cancelled or suspended at any time, and any box that has been prepaid for but cannot be used can be donated to charity via their website. There are a wide variety of options for quick meals, meals under 600 calories, street food-style recipes and premium recipes that can be included for an additional fee.

Pasta Evangelists

Best for: Students or beginner cooks Offers: Students receive a 30% discount and free cocktail through UNiDAYS The least expensive and least committal of the meal kits on offer, Pasta Evangelists allow you to pick one or more recipes every week for three weeks, meaning you can buy more or less depending on how you’re feeling. Desserts and sides can be added as you see fit (the Nonna Carmela’s Tiramisù looking exactly like our idea of a very good time), and an aperitivo snack box can also be added on if you’re having guests round. Prices vary quite substantially based on a number of factors: all of the meals, which are exclusively pasta-based as the name suggests, are priced individually based on either a single or double portion. Vegan pasta is also offered, as are gluten-free options, and all meals contain instructions for freezing should you elect to keep them for a later date.

Mindful Chef

Best for: Single people, vegans or those on low-calorie diets Offers: £10 off your first and second boxes All Mindful Chef recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free, and are below 650 calories - and not only that, but their One Feeds Two scheme means that for every box you buy, they’ll donate a school meal to a child in poverty. They pride themselves on offering grass-fed native-bred beef, free-range chicken and sustainable fish for omnivores

and pescatarian, too. Meals start from £7 per portion, but unlike other meal kit companies, you can opt to cook for only one person. They also provide meal kits for two people or families, the latter being the best value box and suiting four adults or two or three children and two adults. Mindful Chef focuses on high-quality proteins, locally grown and sourced produce, and healthy recipes to see the whole family feeling good and eating well. This is an especially good choice if you’re trying to reduce the amount of meat you eat or are trying to go meat-free.

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Equine Facilitated Occupational Therapy UK Maggie Bracher is one of the founders of Equine Facilitated Occupational Therapy-UK, and here she shares the value that equine facilitated therapy can bring to many different individuals that OTs work with

quine Facilitated Occupational Therapy-UK (EFOT-UK) was founded in 2015 by Maggie Bracher, occupational therapy lecturer, University of Southampton, and Rhona Harkness advanced occupational therapist based in Scotland. Through working with horses for many years in various settings, Maggie and Rhona quickly recognised the value of what equines and their environment can bring to occupational therapy practice and therefore strived to develop this national network. EFOT-UK is a professional network of OTs based in the UK who have an interest in equine facilitated therapy (EFT) as an assessment and intervention modality to enhance the health and wellbeing for suitable individuals. We welcome other professionals and students to become associate members of the special interest group too. EFOT-UK members play an active role in promoting an understanding of the OT role within the field of equine facilitated therapy. This is achieved through defining and promoting the highest standards of practice, liaising with other professionals within the equine field and engaging in research and education.

EFOT-UK CPD AND RESOURCES EFOT-UK have a database and website map of OT members and have over 350 national and international followers on our closed Facebook group. The website also provides an OT members section where relevant resources will be made available to members who pay an annual subscription. The group has developed a public information leaflet accessible to all and this can be downloaded from

our website: efot-uk.co.uk. We conduct a yearly conference which draws the members together, and national and international speakers are invited to share best practice, case studies and developments in the equine facilitated therapy or learning arena. These conferences have focused on a multi professional approach, inviting speakers from different backgrounds to present and share their practices. In addition to the conference, the EFOT-UK special interest group have an annual programme of CPD events at which we welcome other professionals. We have recently added OT specific journal clubs to the annual calendar of events. OTs with additional training have the scope to work in different domains within the equine field, as illustrated in model one below: Model One

Model two postulates the OT therapy process recommended for OTs to guide and promote best evidence-based practice in equine facilitated therapy: Model Two

QUALIFICATIONS EFOT-UK have developed an allied health professional (AHP) qualification in Equine Facilitated Therapy which will be validated by and delivered through Ulster University in collaboration with Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy (CPTPH) and Equine Facilitated Speech and Language Therapy. This is the first equine facilitated therapy qualification for AHPs in the UK. EFOT-UK are dedicated to helping develop OTs to become knowledgeable and skilled in this field. We have therefore produced a guideline for competency in practicing in equine facilitated therapy as illustrated in model three.

Model Three

If you are interested in finding out more about equine facilitated therapy you can contact Maggie Bracher mb2@soton.ac.uk or Rhona Harkness on rhona@rhot. co.uk. You can find out more about EFOT-UK on the following channels: W: efot-uk.co.uk F: facebook.com/groups/EFOTUK T: @EFOTUK

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EXPERT WITNESS OTS

private clinical work with PACE Rehabilitation.

Somek and Associates is one of the largest health proffessional expert witness providers in the UK, and they are using OT Week to celebrate the contribution of the occupational therapists they work with

eet some of the experienced and highly trained occupational therapists (care experts) who work with Somek and Associates, hear about their experiences, and what they enjoy most about their clinical roles and being an expert witness.

I joined Somek and Associates in 2002, and have written many medico-legal reports, being instructed by claimant and defendant solicitors and as a single joint expert. I have been Somek’s chief operating officer since 2018, which involves holding responsibility for the day to day operational side of the business; from monitoring our capacity and demand, to setting and overseeing our recruitment, training and quality assurance processes to ensure the reports we provide are of an excellent standard. I am passionate about maintaining the independence and integrity of the expert witness role and still undertake my own instructions, particularly on complex amputee cases, which helps me to ensure I keep up to date and review our services from an expert perspective. I have given evidence in court a few times and can honestly say that being cross examined in the witness box is one of the best first-hand learning experiences you can ever get.

JESSICA THURSTON

BARBARA FRANKS

Jess specialises in upper and lower limb amputees, care of the elderly, falls, trauma and orthopaedics, and general surgery.

Barbara specialises in neurological conditions, COPD, fibromyalgia/CFS, orthopaedics, mental health, and chronic pain.

I qualified as an occupational therapist in 1994 and have considerable experience working with individuals who have lost limbs secondary to meningococcal septicaemia. I maintain my knowledge and skills in amputee and prosthetic management through my

I qualified as an occupational therapist in 1998 and worked in the NHS (primarily in the community) until 2015, when I found I was becoming frustrated with the lack of resources and recognition for OT as a profession. This led me to start my own occupational therapy

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company alongside working as an expert witness. It has been a huge learning curve in many respects from being in charge of what work I did or did not accept; doing my own accounts and having to learn new styles of report writing and language! One of the biggest challenges was having work scrutinised, which meant I had gone from being comfortable in a role to starting all over again, which was both petrifying and thrilling in equal measure! I appreciate how the legal process works and where OT fits at different parts of this process. I also find that the treating therapy and expert witness work complement each other, as there are products/companies/ innovations that I can transfer between the two roles. I enjoy the flexibility and ability to be more creative when recommending equipment and treatment that the private sector provides and love trying to find innovative solutions to problems. I also now work as a trainer with Somek and Associates and support other OTs new to medico-legal work.

In the beginning, expert witness work takes a huge amount of your time, dedication and commitment, and the learning curve is very steep, but it is most definitely all worth it and the highs are worth all the effort. I enjoy the forensic nature of the work, attention to detail and consideration required, as well as being challenged on your clinical reasoning. It is a real privilege to work closely with individuals who have experienced significant life-changing injuries, with the aim of making recommendations which may contribute in some way towards reasonable restitution and meeting their future needs.

NICOLA LAWSON

LOUISE MARTINEZ

Nicola specialises in trauma, orthopaedics, rheumatology, hand therapy, burns/plastics, and fatal injuries.

Louise specialises in elderly care, general medicine/ surgery, orthopaedics, stoma/ileostomy, chronic fatigue syndrome and neurology. I qualified as an occupational therapist in 2006 and since then have worked in both the NHS and privately. I undertake work on a private basis for clients who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries, traumatic brain injuries or crush injuries, as a result of road traffic accidents, medical negligence or workplace accidents. It was whilst working in the NHS that I first became interested in expert witness work, as I was becoming more involved in investigating complaints as part of my role, and found I was good at objectively reviewing and analysing the evidence. Expert witness work has certainly provided me with all the opportunities and challenges I was missing within the NHS and I have never looked back! I enjoy the flexibility of being able to fit expert witness commitments around my family. 32

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I first stepped foot into an occupational therapy department in the late 1980s for my work experience week at school. I learnt how to make clippie mats and plastic baskets, taught the elderly how to dress their lower limbs following a hip replacement and got to grips with all the interesting equipment. I was hooked. I qualified as an occupational therapist in 1997. My clinical work as a private hand therapist provides enormous job satisfaction, as does expert witness work and the opportunity to meet claimants. I am able to spend time focusing on ways to restore reasonable restitution, discover new innovative equipment and technology, or consider alternative commercial services that would otherwise be disregarded by the NHS and social services budgets. The role also involves a certain amount of forensic work and analysis of all the available evidence, challenging my cognitive skills and focusing my attention to detail. My current role as a private practitioner provides me with different and exciting opportunities and challenges, the flexibility to work around my family life and the ability to return to the core values of what first interested me in OT. I also work as a trainer with Somek and Associates. If you are interested in finding out more about expert witness work and joining our team, email admin@somek. com, call 01494 792711 or visit somek.com.

over 200 experts

JOIN OUR EXPANDING TEAM OF EXPERT WITNESSES We are the largest provider of HP expert witnesses in the UK, renowned and respected in the field

Occupational Therapists play a key role acting as expert witnesses in clinical negligence and personal litigation. We require experienced Occupational Therapists specialising in all clinical areas, especially those working in the fields of amputation, spinal cord injuries and elderly care/dementia, who are confident, have excellent communication skills (verbal and written), enjoy a challenge, are intrigued by the forensic nature of this work, and above all are keen to learn new skills.

We offer: Casework to fit in with other work; you work on a self-employed, flexible basis, alongside your “day job” Excellent remuneration Opportunity to subscribe to our Annual Training and Resource Package You will be working at a senior level with a minimum of 8 years’ post qualification experience as an Occupational Therapist Previous medico-legal experience not essential

“

Thank you so much for everything you have done for me at Somek. I’ve always felt so privileged to work for such a reputable and professional company! My training has always been excellent and the support second to none. I have learnt so much. Somek and Associates Expert Witness

“

01494 792711 admin@somek.com www.somek.com

Automatic Pill Dispensers and Medication Reminders Our products are widely used by Health and Social Care professionals for vulnerable older people and those with learning difficulties who need to be reminded of essential daily tasks such as taking their medication. Find out more today:

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Information leaflets Samples of our footwear, socks and hosiery for display or demonstration purposes

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Product FOCUS Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your clients.

HEATED SEAT COVER

The HomeGlow B-Warm heated seat cover is the ideal solution for anyone who struggles to keep warm. It covers the full length of the chair providing heat to the user’s neck, back, knees and legs for an all-over warmth that can also help ease aches and pains. It is very affordable to run, so it will also keep the winter heating bills down. raynaudsdisease.com | 0207501 1107 2

ULTRA-ROOMY SOCKS

These ultra-roomy ‘Fuller Fitting Socks’ from Cosyfeet are super stretchy to accommodate very swollen or heavily bandaged legs. Designed to stay up securely without digging in, causing pressure or restricting circulation, they have a smooth toe join to protect sensitive toes. Available in cotton-rich and thermal options. cosyfeet.com | 01458 447275

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100% NATURAL EXESKIN DRY SKIN AND SCALP BALM

The winter weather can be harsh on the skin, especially for those living with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or rosacea. This 100% natural cream is packed with beehive ingredients and vitamins A, C, D and E, anti-oxidants, nutrients and is suitable to hydrate sensitive skin on the face and scalp. ultrabeehealth.co.uk | 0203 189 1465

PADDED HIP PROTECTOR SHORTS

These padded shorts provide women with extra protection around their hips in case of a fall. They provide peace of mind for people who may be at a higher risk of falls and ensure the severity of any injury is reduced. The shorts are elasticated and comfortable and come with a pair of protective pads that shape to the body. essentialaids.com | 01273 719 889 5

UNIVERSAL KNOB TURNER

This product is designed to help anyone with weakened grip or limited dexterity to turn dials and knobs on devices in the kitchen and also door knobs. It has an ergonomically shaped handle to allow users to comfortably turn dials on cookers, ovens or washing machines. It is small and easy to store in a cutlery drawer. millercare.co.uk | 0800 652 8533

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PLAYING CARD HOLDER

Ideal for anyone who enjoys playing card games with their family and friends but struggles to grasp cards in their hands. These simple card holders allow players to safely place their cards in them and hide them from other players. Perfect to keep players independent no matter their grip ability.

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INVISAWEAR JEWELLERY

This is no ordinary jewellery, invisaWear is actually a personal safety device disguised as a bracelet, necklace or keychain. The charm on these is synced up to your phone and aligned with up to five emergency contacts. If the wearer is ever in need of help they simply double click the back of the charm and their GPS location is sent via text message to the emergency contacts alerting them to know help is needed. invisawear.com 8

WALKING STICK ICE GRIP

As the cold weather sets in, it is important to ensure any older clients are taking good care of their health when out in icy conditions. If they use a walking stick, this can be very hazardous on ice, so ensure you encourage them to purchase an ice grip to attach to the bottom and give them better grip on the ground. Try out this affordable option from Drive Devilbiss. manageathome.co.uk | 0808 281 2635

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THE EAGLE HAS LANDED! We are excited to announce the launch of the Eagle, part of the Mangar lifting cushion range • A small footprint which allows it to be used in tight spaces, including bathrooms • Easy to fold and position under someone who has fallen • Will lift at least 30 stone • Reduces risk of musculoskeletal injury • A slimline version of the Camel, the Eagle has an in-built backrest to give extra support • Portable – able to use inside or outdoors • Air inflation reduces the risk of pressure wounds during a lift

For more information or to book a demonstration please email enquiries@winncare.uk or call 0800 2800 485.

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Switch A simple and effective solution for assisted standing Designed to help a person with reduced mobility, stand from a seated position and enable their transfer to another surface. The Switch actively encourages the user to participate in the standing process, engaging core muscle groups while improving strength and function.

Safe working load 180kg / 28st / 397Ibs Compact and easy to manoeuvre Quickly dismantles for easy storage and transportation Simple design for easy on-going maintenance Optional knee pad cushions for extra comfort 5 Year warranty as standard

Contact Joerns Healthcare to find out more:

(T) 0344 811 1158 (E) info@joerns.co.uk

Glam Guide Accessible makeup products mean no-one has to miss the calling of a glam Christmas night out ever again

t Christmas, we suddenly begin to feel like the most popular people on Earth - party season opens up, and we’re being invited left, right and centre to staff nights out, parties with friends, and events that make us feel the urge to spend a little extra time getting glam before we see ourselves out the door. For some, the act of getting glam is difficult, not because it’s a hard act in itself, but because the items it requires can be inaccessible. It’s hard for someone who has dexterity issues to draw eyeliner on precisely, and trying to use a makeup palette one handed when it’s not weighted can be extremely difficult. Here are some of our favourite products you might recommend to clients who would like to embrace the glam lifestyle, but find it difficult to locate products that suit their needs.

STAMP AND DRAG LINER Ciaté London, £15 Doing a cat eye is hard - it takes a lot of practice and precision to get right. Stamp and Drag makes it so much easier and faster to achieve a classic look with one product, and best of all, it makes getting your wings to actually match much easier. On one end of the product is a stamp, which just has to be pressed against the corners of each eye to create the wing; once that’s done, flip the product over and use the chunky liner to connect it to the lash line. The liner is a very dark black and doesn’t smudge easily, so there’s no need to worry about it looking washed out or it falling all over your face and ruining your look.

THE FLEX BRUSH Kohl Kreatives, £44.99 These highly flexible brushes are vegan and cruelty free, so they tick a multitude of boxes from the jump. The brushes can be used to apply makeup anywhere on the body, and feature chunky, easy-grip handles, and were designed to give people power and control in the application of makeup. The brushes twist 180 degrees, can bend backwards and forwards, and have a flat base that allows them to stand up. The brushes are incredibly versatile: use the small circle brush for blush, foundation or contour; the small square brush is as at home applying eyeshadow as it is lipstick; and the small triangle brush is ideal for eyeliner or applying brow products.

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MILK MAKEUP FLEX FOUNDATION STICK Cult Beauty, £32 Known internationally for their belief in high quality ingredients, Milk’s makeup is specifically designed to be good for the skin, and emphasises natural but creative looks. Their Flex Foundation Stick is available in 36 colours, and provides medium coverage without looking cakey or cracking - hence the “flex” in its name. It’s infused with moisturising blue lotus, redness-calming chamomile and crease-proof marshmallow root extract, so it may prove to be less irritating than conventional foundations. It’s easily wound up from the bottom to reveal more product, and is chunky and easy to hold, not relying on dispensing the product onto a brush or sponge for application.

GUIDE BEAUTY ARTISTRY MADE EASY COLLECTION Guide Beauty, $75 Designed by makeup artist Terri Bryant, these products and tools were created to combat the frustration that she felt after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and discovering changes in her ability to create precise looks using the tools in her existing kit. Guide Beauty emphasises both accessibility and luxury, creating products that function as beautifully as they look and are mindful of users who may live with tremors or dexterity issues. The Guide Wand makes it easy to apply eyeliner, and features an easy to hold handle and “window” in the applicator for visibility, while the Lash Wrap mascara and Brow Moment pomade both have comfortable-grip applicators to make filling brows and coating lashes a breeze.

KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY THE MOST CONCEALER Beauty Bay, £16.50 Concealer is often a difficult product to use for people who live with dexterity issues, or even people who live with one hand, because it uses a wand applicator. Drag queen Kimchi’s The Most Concealer is fantastic because under the screw-on lid is a small brush applicator, which is attached to the tube. To apply, all the user needs to do is lightly squeeze the bottle until a small amount of product is visible on the applicator, then brush it onto the areas that need concealment. The product is extremely long wearing, offering a hybrid matte-satin finish that’s also waterproof, making it perfect for use under the eyes.

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Dementia-approved Bathroom Design by AKW

KW has launched a new guide to creating dementia-friendly bathrooms that has been produced with advice and support from specialist dementia design advisers at the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC). The aim of the guide is to offer best practice guidance on designing this important space.

WHAT IS A DEMENTIAFRIENDLY BATHROOM? Importantly, a dementia-friendly bathroom doesn’t need to cost more than a standard bathroom adaptation, but the products and guidelines regarding colour etc. need to be followed to ensure maximum safety and comfort. A dementia-friendly bathroom needs to protect the user from scalding, falls and visual confusion. To do this, a range of design techniques need to be employed. These include: 1 Using thermostatic taps and showers, low surface temperature radiators and under-floor heating if possible.

2 Installing a level access shower, shower seat, PET shower screens instead of glass, or shower curtains made from a breathable fabric. 3 Ensuring the floor is a single colour that isn’t shiny, flecked, or dark and delivers good contrast between the shower and toilet areas. 4 Opting for retro-style taps and flush handles to minimise user confusion Choosing the right products can significantly help those living with dementia, that is why AKW has developed a range of products that are ideal for use in a dementiafriendly bathroom. From thermostatic care showers and contrasting toilet seats and grab rails, to non-slip flooring in a range of colours that will clearly contrast with the walls, AKW has it all. AKW’s Guide to Creating Dementia-Friendly Bathrooms is available to download from www.akw-ltd.co.uk/ brochures-guides/akw-guide-to-creatingdementia-friendly-bathrooms. For more information, please contact AKW on 01905 823298, email sales@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk

Creating Dementia-Friendly Bathrooms Safety Flooring AKW’s DSDC (Dementia Services Development Centre) accredited Safety Flooring comes in eight stylish colours and provides a high level of slip resistance in any bathroom adaptation. 100% watertight, durable and comfortable underfoot, it’s ideal for all bathrooms. AKW Safety Flooring is manufactured in two metre widths and can be purchased by roll or cut to size.

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Smartcare Lever Electric Shower The AKW SmartCare Lever is a contemporary, thermostaticallycontrolled electric care shower with an easy-to-use handle, audible temperature control clicks, a matt anti-glare finish and rounded surfaces and edges for safety.

AKW Guide to Creating DementiaFriendly Bathrooms Our updated, DSDC accredited, best practice design guide for creating dementia-friendly bathrooms is available to download from the AKW website, www.akw-ltd.co.uk/ dementia

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If you would like to discuss dementia-friendly bathrooms with your local AKW representative call 01905 823274, email marketing@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk/contact-us

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The Occupational Therapy Show 2021 Ready to reunite the OT Community on 24-25 November at the NEC, Birmingham

e are excited to bring together occupational therapists from of all bands and specialisms, whether you work in health organisations, social care services, housing, education, voluntary organisations, or as an independent practitioner, this 24-25 November we want to see you at the NEC, Birmingham. The Occupational Therapy Show is a twoday event consisting of a free conference programme that allows you to take part in important debates, engage with the latest innovations from our exhibitors, and leave inspired, refreshed, and ready to take your service to the next level. You really won’t want to miss it! A long time has passed since occupational therapy professionals were together, and during this two-year hiatus we have all had experiences of the online virtual sphere; whether that was taking part in zoom dinners with family, or online pub quizzes with friends. However, now we are so pleased to say that The OT Show can give you the opportunity to make new memories and real connections in person once again, whilst celebrating all that the occupational therapy community has achieved. CloserStill Media – organisers of The Occupational Therapy Show take safety precautions extremely seriously and we are doing everything possible to make sure the event is ready to be the safest space for rediscovery and learning. For more information on what we are doing please visit our website at theotshow. com/contact-us/safety-measures. The OT Show will provide the chance to gain CPD points with over 100+ hours of valuable accredited content across six theatres, showcasing the best key leaders and products within the sector. This year’s edition has been eagerly anticipated and is a chance to boost morale, refresh your skills, and learn something

on training and discover answers to problems you are facing by networking with other occupational therapists. There is over 270+ leading healthcare suppliers in our exhibition hall giving you the unique opportunity to ask for their expert advice. Whilst giving you access to thousands of the latest products and services with exclusive show deals and freebies! Your assistance will be needed in order to help us welcome some very important people to The Occupational Therapy Show this year. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, will be joining us on Wednesday 24 November. Then on Thursday 25 November you’ll be able to see the hilariously funny Lee Ridley, aka Lost Voice Guy, winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2018. Have you got a burning question that you want to ask Lee Ridley? Email them to otshow.conference@closerstillmedia. com and he will answer them in his talk. New for 2021, is an energised and refocused event for everyone involved. The programme has been carefully curated into seven clinical content streams. They will bring you the most up-to-date topics impacting the occupational therapy sector and making the content that you are looking for easier to find.

INNOVATION

Sessions created to inspire, focusing on topics such as legislation, guidance, creative practice, and reflection.

KEY SESSION When: Wed 24 Nov, 15:15 Where: Theatre 2 Session: Emerging leaders from COVID: How our OT skills help us to be better leaders Speakers: Fiona Suleman, wheelchair and specialist seating service manager, Enabled Living Healthcare, and Trish Kelly, PT/OT clinical lead, surgery team, therapies

MENTAL HEALTH

Anticipate sessions that focus on dementia and forensics, to homelessness and challenging perceptions of personality disorder.

KEY SESSION When: Thurs 25 Nov, 11:15 Where: Theatre 2 Session: Occupational therapy for the homeless: An inclusion health approach Speakers: Nina Friis, occupational therapy assistant and apprentice, Bevan Healthcare, and Chris Wood, specialist occupational therapist, Bevan Healthcare

INCLUSIVITY

An exciting new stream for 2021 that indicates cultural and social equality movements. Look forward to insight into current perceptions and ideas regarding the term inclusive and to ensure we reflect not only on the impact on clinical practice, but how occupational therapy can grow as a profession.

KEY SESSION When: Wed 24 Nov, 14:15 Where: Keynote Theatre Session: Accepting responsibility: Equality, diversity and inclusivity: the foundation of good Speaker: Dave S.P. Thomas, senior advisor equality, diversity and inclusion, Advance HE

NEUROLOGY

Delivered by survivors of neurological trauma, topics covered will include head injury, spinal injury, stroke and neurological degenerative or long-term conditions.

KEY SESSION When: Thurs 25 Nov, 10:30 Where: Keynote Theatre Session: Sex after stroke - unlocking the taboo Speaker: Dr Kate Allatt, inspirational speaker, GripAble Ambassador, internationally published author and columnist for Stroke Rehab Times.

MOVING & HANDLING These sessions will facilitate reflection on good practice without compromised quality within the current social context, whilst providing value for money.

KEY SESSION When: Wed 24 Nov, 12:30 Where: Theatre 3 Session: Dementia: Developing person-centred approaches to moving and handling Speaker: Samantha Evans, advanced clinical specialist

occupational therapist, associate trainer, East Cheshire NHS Trust and A1 Risk Solutions

PAEDIATRICS The true impact of the 2020/21 social restrictions on children may not be known for some time and so this part of the programme focuses on the importance of fun, play, and leisure to support positive development. This stream will deliver a variety of topics such as emotional regulation and transition to adulthood.

KEY SESSION When: Wed 24 Nov, 12:15 Where: Theatre 1 Session: Occupational Therapy, Autism and Emotional Regulation in Schools Speaker: Matthew Gomes, school-based occupational therapist, Ambitious About Autism/The Rise School

HOUSING This stream covers numerous aspects of practice, from design, adaptations, DFG, equipment, accessibility, and rehabilitation where the correct home environment is a critical early step. All sessions in this stream make clear links to housing design, clinical reasoning, maximising of independence and/or risk reduction.

KEY SESSION When: Wed 24 Nov, 11:30 Where: Theatre 1 Session: Bespoke Design for Occupational Engagement: Essential OT Skills and Knowledge Speakers: Sarah McGinley, occupational therapy lecturer, University of Southampton, and Maggie Bracher, MBAOT occupational therapy lecturer/ergonomic and back care adviser, University of Southampton As if that wasn’t enough, we also have the Innovation and Showcase Theatres, On-Stand Education, and the Trails. There is something for everyone at The OT Show and possibilities are endless for exploration of content. For all attendees post show you will receive exclusive access online to all sessions you attended in person. Don’t wait another year to add to your lifelong learning and drive big impacts for you and your clients. Register for your FREE ticket today! To find out more about this year’s unmissable event and to secure your free place, please visit theotshow.com/otmag.

Falls prevention through brain training

Could brain exercises reduce the risk of falls in older people?

ccording to the World Health Organisation falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths across the world, with an estimated 684,000 individuals dying from falls globally every year. Adults over the age of 60 are the most at risk and falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older people. These statistics show that falls are a major public health problem across the world, often leading to hospitalisation, treatment, disability, rehabilitation and continued care. Prevention strategies in addressing falls at home can make a vast difference to an individual’s health and safety, reducing the risk of any injury from a fall and therefore reducing hospital visits and any followup care that is required. Ensuring older individuals feel safe in their own home can be of vital importance to a person’s wellbeing. It reduces their level of anxiety, increases their independence and gives peace of mind to family and friends. Traditionally, falls prevention programmes work on ensuring the home is a safe environment; removing trip hazards, introducing stairlifts, grab rails and other mobility aids. As well as monitoring any medication that may make the person dizzy, implementing contrasting flooring or highlighting steps or uneven areas to reduce the risk of any potential falls at home. However, a new approach to addressing falls prevention has come to light. One that considers the cognitive changes that cause many falls. As the brain’s visual system slows with age, it affects reaction time and the ability to make split-second adjustments in movement, which can in turn result in a fall. Therefore, could brain exercises improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of falls? American organisation, the National Institute of Aging of the National Institute of Health has awarded Posit Science, developers of brain training programme BrainHQ, a grant to measure the impact of BrainHQ on fall incidence among older adults in a new study. The grant has been awarded following the positive results of five studies that have already taken place using the BrainHQ platform. Three of these studies measured the relationship between fall risk and visual cognitive abilities, and the other two studies showed that taking part in the computerised brain exercises on BrainHQ 44

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significantly improved measures of balance and gait in older people. The BrainHQ programme provides users with a series of games designed by neuroscientists to improve or retain brain function. The user can choose the areas they want to work on, whether that be memory, visual perception, balance or general cognitive function, they are then led through games that are designed to help improve the desired areas. The games increase in complexity with an individual’s progress and they are awarded stars for completing levels, encouraging participation and rewarding efforts. There have been over 100 published studies using the exercises on BrainHQ, showing benefits in many areas including, memory, attention, social cognition, mood, independence, balance and many more. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this newly funded study will be done completely remotely, allowing participants from across the United States to take part. Those taking part in the study will be supplied with an Apple watch and provided with the BrainHQ cloud-based brain training programme. Researchers will then monitor their training remotely and use Apple watch features, including fall detection, to track balance and mobility. Dr Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science commented: “Many people are surprised to learn that doing visual training exercises on a computer can improve balance and gait. However, it’s not that surprising when you understand that falls among the elderly are not generally caused by physical issues, but rather by the slowing— with age — of reaction times of the brain’s visual systems, which are constantly monitoring conditions and adjusting movement to keep you on your feet. “Even a momentary glitch in those systems is what causes most falls, but now we know that training with BrainHQ exercises can improve the brain’s speed and accuracy and strengthen the operation of balance and gait. “This new study will go further than the prior studies to measure actual real-time fall incidence and to administer the entire study remotely,” Dr. Mahncke continued. “The results will contribute greatly toward making effective fall risk programmes for health plans and community-based programmes.” You can find out more about BrainHQ at brainhq.com.

In the Double Decision exercise, a target flashes in the centre of gaze, along with another target sign on the periphery. The user must find the right objects and locations. This drives gains in visual speed, accuracy and useful field of view.

In the Eye for Detail exercise, different butterflies flash across the screen. The user must click on the three that matched. This drives gains in visual processing speed and acuity.

In the Face to Face exercise, the user must find a facial expression of emotion of one person that matches one of several from another person (at increasingly high speed). This helps with split second recognition of social cues.

...doing visual training exercises on a computer can improve balance and gait

In the Hawk Eye exercise, birds flash on the screen, at increasing speeds and lesser contrasts. The user must find the one that is different from the rest. This drives gains in visual speed, search, and acuity.

In the Juggle Factor exercise, a user must remember and then reconstruct the numbers and locations, as the circles reveal numbers and spin at varying speeds and directions. This challenges working memory, as you solve problems in changing environments.

In the Mind Bender exercise, different sets of rules are applied and then replaced, pushing the brain to quickly adapt when circumstances change.

In the Target Tracker exercise, the user sees a target set and then identical distractors are added, and all the objects move. The user must track the original targets, working on the ability to track multiple objects, while suppressing distractions.

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IMPROVING ACCESS TO SPORT

The importance of taking part in exercise and sport is undisputed, but disabled people are missing out on the benefits that come with it. The physical health benefits are numerable, and the impact on participants’ mental wellbeing is well documented, from the feeling of camaraderie when playing as part of a team, to smashing your own personal fitness goals, there is a sense of purpose and achievement that has an overall positive effect on the body and mind

ccess to sport and activities for disabled people has been highlighted as a serious concern over the last few years. Inaccessible buildings, equipment, toilet facilities and changing areas are just some of the barriers that disabled people frequently come up against in today’s world. As occupational therapists it can be hard to find the right activity for your patient or client to get involved in,

because access can be poor and information can be lacking. Mikey Erdhart is the communications officer at Get Yourself Active, and he is well aware of the problems that exist for disabled people trying to access sport opportunities. He explains why more co-production is needed in sport to allow disabled people to overcome barriers to entry.

CHANGING AREAS

TOILET FACILITIES

EQUIPTMENT

INNACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS

The summer that just passed might have been the most sporting we have ever had. From Euros Fever to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and even more recently the US Open, there has been an absolute deluge of sporting inspiration. We all know the feeling of watching athletes perform at the highest level and feeling inspired to go out and try to get stuck in too. However, a big question remains: why, in the face of more disabled sport being on TV than ever before, with broadcasters like Channel 4 setting a new benchmark for the broadcast of disabled sports, are so few disabled people getting active? The statistics demonstrate a harsh reality: Scope reported that 40% of disabled people say that they never do sport or physical activity. Why are so many of us missing out on all the benefits that exercise and physical activity can bring, and what can be done to ensure that everyone can get active in a way that suits them? Scope’s survey showed that more than a third (35%) of disabled people felt excluded from sport. They pointed to barriers such as negative attitudes, inaccessible sporting venues, and a lack of trained staff to support them, which prevents them from getting active. Additionally, local sports centres are often inaccessible, as accessibility was not considered while they were being designed. Just picture the disappointment we feel when we make the effort to travel to a facility only to discover the lack of an adequate ramp or changing facilities. It shouldn’t be this way; things need to change. There is also the issue of cost. Why don’t we look at wheelchair racing as an example? The equivalent of perhaps the most accessible sport of all – running. Running as a non-disabled person is simple and almost always cost-free. Perhaps you might need the latest shiny trainers, but really, you could do it for free. Well, if you enjoy wheelchair racing, your experience is very different. You’ll need access to a running track or similar facility unless you want to risk the road and pavement of your local area. You’ll need gloves, perhaps a helmet, and maybe you’ll need a specialist chair of your own - an additional cost which can run up into the thousands. We know that activities can cost more if you’re a disabled person, and sport is no different. These, along with so many other barriers, contribute to an overall belief within large parts of the disabled community that

We need to push for a renewed emphasis on disabled sports and physical activity at all levels – not just elite

The chance to lead, choreograph, and perform in a way that is often rare, is perhaps the most inspiring part of the organisation, and there are loads of others like it across the country sport and physical activity are simply not for them; that a world in which we can all take part and get active doesn’t exist. For many disabled people, no matter how athletes inspire them to get active or participate, they can’t do what they want. However, the problem is not theirs to own; it’s the world around us, and this needs to change. Recently the government issued a “rallying cry” by making £100m of funding available to make sport “more accessible” for disabled people following ParalympicsGB’s achievements in Tokyo. Representation and the presentation of disabled sport is just a starting point. For real change to happen, we need to accept that elite level sport is not the only way that disabled people can get active. We need to push for a renewed emphasis on disabled sports and physical activity at all levels – not just elite. We think that one answer to these issues may come in the form of co-production. This is a way of working where service providers and disabled people work together to reach a positive collective outcome. Coproduction would allow disabled people to use their own experiences and capacity to change things. This creates a whole new dynamic between professionals and people who use services, so that power is shared more equally – what’s not to love? Want an example of this in practice? You can look at the work of our friends at Dance Syndrome, an inclusive dance charity based in Lancashire with a focus on including everyone, regardless of ability in the art of dance. Co-production methods mean that disabled people have a real opportunity to occupy leadership positions within the organisation. The chance to lead, choreograph, and perform in a way that is often rare, is perhaps the most inspiring part of the organisation, and there are loads of others like it across the country. Scope reported that 91% of disabled people want to be more active, so why don’t decision-makers hear us? A new focus on co-production across the entire sport and physical activity sector would keep disabled people at the heart of everything. It would open a new world of activity for disabled people – one we have all been waiting too long for.

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Avoiding malnutrition on the hospital to home journey OTs are one of the key healthcare professionals that help older people maintain their independence at home, by providing safe ways for them to carry out daily activities. Being an important practitioner in the transition between hospital and home, OTs are in a unique position to spot malnutrition in the community and ensure these individuals receive appropriate care

n average, malnourished patients entering hospital stay more than three days longer than well-nourished patients, have more chronic diseases (eg. liver disease, cancer) and require more support on discharge – including twice as many GP visits, more prescriptions, and are on average three times more likely to be re-admitted to hospital. These cycles of repeated hospital to home transitions are known as ‘The Malnutrition Carousel’, which you can see depicted in the image created by BAPEN (bapen.org.uk).

25-34% of hospital admissions are at risk of malnutrition Longer stay, more complications

More GP visits More prescriptions

More support needed after discharge from hospital

More hospital admissions

More likely to need care

70% of patients weigh less on hospital discharge 48

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Elderly people often have an inherent risk of health complications, which means that additional malnourishment adds an even higher level of risk. Wounds and pressure ulcers can take longer to heal, infections can become more severe, and fluid regulation mechanisms can become impaired. Malnourished individuals are more likely to have muscle wastage and therefore can be prone to falls. Ultimately, there is a reduction in the general ability to self-care, which could not only increase the burden on the individual, but potentially result in more frequent OT visits to patients that require more complex care plans. Malnutrition can go undetected for prolonged periods; it is therefore important to understand the more subtle signs of malnutrition. Often, a person may visibly look the same, but jewellery such as wedding bands and bracelets that have always been a snug fit, may become loose and slide off easily. You may notice that your service user has started using a tighter notch on his/ her belt or watch, and ill-fitting dentures may be both the cause and result of weight loss. Altered mood and loss of vitality are key risk factors for malnutrition, particularly if it means your client no longer wants to, or has the energy to cook meals for his/herself. Empty cupboards, rotting food in the fridge, and a lack of interest in discussing food and meals are also warning signs that OTs are well placed to spot in the community. Be particularly aware of those living in isolation, as this group often eat fewer meals a day and have a lower nutritional intake. Just under a third of those aged 76 and older have an impaired swallow – while this may have very few consequences for some, for others this can have a huge impact, resulting in anxiety around mealtimes, poor appetite, and food refusal. Catching malnutrition as early as possible is key to breaking the cycle of the Malnutrition Carousel. If you think someone is at risk, or if you’ve seen some of the above-mentioned signs in patients on your caseload, it is important to get them screened using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). If someone has a

MUST score of 2 or more, they should be referred to a dietetic colleague, and active treatment should immediately commence. You may have heard of a ‘food first’ approach before – which tends to be the first line of treatment for malnutrition. Using tools like energy dense meals, food fortification, eating little and often, and nourishing drinks are some of the best ways to get individuals eating additional calories and protein through food. However, there are cases where extra support is required, and oral nutritional supplements may then be prescribed; your NHS Trust will likely have Food Fact Sheets outlining these treatment options if you’d like further information. By OTs having a general awareness of malnutrition, and knowledge of what to do if they suspect someone is malnourished, there is a real chance of reducing the numbers of patients entering the Malnutrition Carousel and avoiding patients returning to hospital malnourished. Through collaborative effort, we have an ability to make a real difference not only to patients, but to the healthcare system as a whole.

Wiltshire Farm Foods has a Mini Meals Extra range comprised of smaller, more manageable portions, designed for people with reduced appetites. Falling under the ‘energy dense’ criteria, your service users wouldn’t have to compromise on nutrition as each dish contains 500+ kcals and 20g+protein. To view the range visit: wff.link/HCPrequest

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Enabling Greater Independence Rachel Hirst is an occupational therapist that works at the William Merritt Centre, she shares the amazing work that she is involved in as part of the team there

work as part of a team at the William Merritt Centre in Leeds. We are a Disabled Living Centre and our ethos is to provide impartial and professional advice around all aspects of daily living equipment for adults and children. We don’t supply or sell any equipment so our emphasis on “Try before you buy” enables people to avoid making costly mistakes on equipment that is not suitable for their needs. We are also an accredited member of Driving Mobility and undertake driving and passenger access assessments at our offices in Leeds, York and Sheffield. Here we undertake fitness to drive assessments and adaptation assessments with clients of all ages. We want to keep people on the road but they obviously need 50

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to be safe, our on-road assessment indicates how a person’s medical condition affects their ability to drive. Referrals usually come via DVLA, the Motability Scheme or health professionals. A recent client who attended the centre for a driving assessment commented: “I had several sleepless nights as I wondered whether I would lose my driving licence; I have driven 58 years so it was a very scary prospect. “As soon as I met Lauren and Kate I began to feel at ease, Lauren gave me the opportunity to discuss all of my issues and tell her how I was feeling and how much driving meant to me. I have always loved driving. “I would highly recommend the centre to anyone who is anxious about their ability to drive and stay mobile. These people are here to help.” The great thing about working at the centre is being able to do assessments with equipment which is a bit more unusual and because we aren’t restricted by local statutory eligibility criteria, the sky’s the limit! We were able to assess and apply to charities for funding for an

all-terrain wheelchair for one client who was a keen rugby fan and wanted to watch her daughter play rugby for her local team. Her current wheelchair was always getting stuck in the mud so the Mountain Trike from Experience Community was identified as offering a really good solution. For children, we regularly do Wizzybug assessments in conjunction with national charity Designability. These fun, powered wheelchairs are available for free to children under five, giving them independent movement and allowing them to explore their environment through the use of switches or joystick controls. We also offer Try B4 U Fly assessments and are one of only three other centres that offer this service across the country. Clients pay for these assessments and we go through the whole process of flying; from booking a seat, to check in, to transfers onto the aircraft seat. We also discuss issues around travelling with their mobility scooter or powered wheelchair and issues around continence. For many clients, the opportunity to fly again opens up a world which many had not thought possible. We use the person, environment, occupation (PEO) model when carrying out assessments and follow the occupational therapy process. Typically, clients can refer themselves for an assessment to try a particular piece of equipment and we try and glean as much information as possible before the assessment by emailing out preassessment forms. This was particularly useful during the pandemic by cutting down on contact time when clients attended the centre. We then carry out an initial interview to establish a full picture of their functional ability, medical condition and home situation. Most of

our assessments take place here at the centre so we encourage clients to bring along photos to give us more information about the home setting which really guides our clinical reasoning and decision-making process. The assessment then consists of the client trying the various equipment that we have here in the centre. For example, if someone is struggling to mobilise around their home and in their local area they may attend the centre to try a powered wheelchair. We would demonstrate the controls and ask them to carry out a series of tasks, for example, driving in a straight line, reversing around a corner, negotiating a dropped kerb. The many visuospatial and cognitive skills required to drive a powered wheelchair or scooter are numerous so a thorough assessment is imperative, particularly as we sometimes have to advise against such a device at the end of the assessment. Similarly, a stairlift may be contra-indicated for someone who has a degenerative, neurological condition, so being able to clearly explain why this is the case is essential. As part of our occupational therapy process we would always signpost on to the local NHS or adult social care where appropriate, but some people wish to fund their own equipment privately or simply don’t meet the eligibility criteria for certain equipment. Our centre offers a place where clients can try a range of equipment in a non-pressurised setting and with support to choose the equipment which will best meet their long-term needs. Knowing that a client will be more mobile, more independent and have a better quality of life as a result of our intervention at the centre is a really satisfying feeling. You can find out more about the William Merritt Centre at wmdlc.org or email Rachel Hirst on rhirst@wmdlc.org.

I had several sleepless nights as I wondered whether I would lose my driving licence; I have driven 58 years so it was a very scary prospect

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For a free consultation and site survey please contact us and we would be more than happy to help. m: 07801 573278 or 07765 256537 e: sales@sunkentrampolines.co.uk w: www.sunkentrampolines.co.uk

Paediatrics All the latest from the world of paediatrics

SECTION ot to go all Noddy Holder on you, but in the immortal words of Slade, it’s (almost) Christmas! It is truly a lovely time of year: there are so many things at Christmastime that delight every one of our senses, and although it can be overwhelming in large doses. There’s a beauty in the festive season that cuts through the bleakness of winter and gives us a bit of hope and joy, even in this time of lockdown uncertainty.

With that in mind, we’ve found

some sensory activities that may be fun to do with your younger clients at this time of the year, incorporating items and ideas that stir the senses with Christmasy sights, scents, sounds and textures while still being functional. You can read about them on page 54. As ever, you can find an array of new and interesting products on page 58 - if you have anything you’d like to be included in our paediatrics section, drop an email to ros@2apublishing.co.uk. Oh, and Merry Christmas when it comes!

Read on to find out more...

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FEELING LIKE

CHRISTMAS It’s Christmastime - what better time is there to tailor sensory activities to match the most wonderful time of the year?

hen kids explore the world through sensory play, they’re learning, consciously or not. It’s an opportunity to engage the senses while developing skills and improving self confidence, which can make a world of difference to a child’s life. Christmastime is a sensory extravaganza, where everything seems to be bright and brilliant. The feel of tinsel against skin; the smell of a pine Christmas tree in the house; the bright lights festooned around towns and cities; the taste of Christmas treats; and the sounds of carollers singing for the season. It can be an assault on the senses, but at the same time, it feels like such a treat to have all these bright and beautiful things around us for a whole month to enjoy. In sensory play, when there’s a more “controlled” aspect to the senses which are evoked, it might be nice to incorporate some winter or Christmas concepts into children’s sensory diet, adding a seasonal flair to the proceedings.

CHRISTMAS JINGLE RING Inspired by Buggy and Buddy’s Jingle Ring at buggyandbuddy.com Homemade musical instruments can be a fun way to develop attention and listening skills, as well as both fine and gross motor skills. Plus, it’s fun to be noisy, especially when you’re little and you can get away with it. Jingle Rings are kind of like homemade tambourines, and can easily be integrated into a variety of sensory play activities for children, like loud and quiet games where the child identifies the source of a sound, or “red light, green light”style games. To make the Christmas jingle ring, you’ll need a wreath of some kind, strips of Christmas ribbon, and some jingle bells. These are all things easily found in craft stores, like Hobbycraft. Cut the ribbon into small strips of around three inches, then thread on a bell; tie the ribbons around the wreath, and hey presto, you have a jingle ring! You could even add on some tinsel or some festive pom poms to add an additional sensory aspect to the wreath.

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PLAYDOUGH SNOW Inspired by The OT Toolbox’s Scented Snowman Playdoh at theottoolbox.com Playdough is an excellent tool for building strength in hand muscles and tendons, and can easily be adapted to include other sensory aspects like adding texture for tactile play, or add scents to incorporate an olfactory element. Activities involving playdough often use motions - like pinching, rolling, and squeezing, which are excellent for developing motor skills. This activity, inspired by the Scented Snowman at the OT Toolbox, calls for the creation of a snow scene using homemade playdough, which is as much fun to make as it is to play with. To make the playdough, use this recipe from theimaginationtree.com: into a pan, add one cup of cornflour, half a cup of salt, one tablespoon of oil, one tablespoon of cream of tartar, one cup of boiling water, a few drops of liquid glycerine, and a few drops of peppermint essence. Stir everything gently until it comes together to form a ball that’s no longer sticky; once it gets to that point, take it off the heat and let it cool. Once it’s cool, knead it into some food-safe silver glitter to make sparkly snow. At this point, you can knead it out into a flat surface and add it into a rectangular container to create your snowy field (adding in some tiny decorative fir trees is, at this point, optional but very fun). From here, kids can scoop up the “snow” and roll it into balls, creating their very own snowmen, which can be decorated with little beads for their eyes and pipe cleaners for their arms!

GINGERBREAD OOBLECK Inspired by myboredtoddler.com This is a weird one (and a really messy one, please put down a sheet), but hear us out. Oobleck is, to get our science hat on for a little minute, a non-Newtonian fluid. That basically means that its viscosity (thickness) changes dependant on what kind of pressure it’s under. For example, tomato sauce is fairly thick, but if you shake it, it becomes runny - that’s a non-Newtonian fluid. Oobleck sounds like something out of a Dr Seuss book because it’s literally named for a Dr Seuss book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck. In reality, it’s a mixture of one part water to around one and a half or two parts of cornflour. If you add that together, plus a little bit of ginger and maybe a touch of cinnamon, you’ll get a taste safe fluid which is runny and thin until you apply force to it (for example, squeeze, slap or stand on it), at which point it acts like a solid. It’s used by some OTs as a helpful sensory activity in children who display tactile defensiveness or sensitivity, but we are very serious about putting down a sheet before you try it, because it’s wonderfully messy play. Also, please, do not tip it down the sink when you’re finished with it; put it in a bag, then put it in the bin. Trying to explain how oobleck has clogged your pipes to a plumber is not a fun Christmas activity.

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SNOWY SLIME

Inspired by the New Year’s Celebration Slime from littlebinsforlittlehands.com This clear slime can be held up and stretched out to make it look like snow is falling gently from the sky, but can also be adapted to use sparkly glitter confetti like the original recipe calls for to make a New Year’s fireworks scene. The issue with a lot of slime recipes is that they call for you to use a substance called borax, which is not available to purchase in the UK, so while we were very inspired by Little Bins’ New Year slime, we can’t make it to their recipe (legally) in the UK, and we’re not sure if the legally available borax substitute that you can buy does the same job. This recipe was adapted from the evertrustworthy bbcgoodfood.com, and notes explicitly that it isn’t edible. To make a medium size ball of snowy slime, mix 200ml of white or clear PVA glue with one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, two teaspoons of contact lens cleaning solution (not saline solution!) and some glitter snowflakes. If you’d like it to be fluffy, you can even add some shaving foam to the process to give it that “freshly fallen snow” vibe. Slime is an absolutely brilliant activity to not only make with children, but to play with - it’s great for manual dexterity and a host of other motor skill-based activities. Plus, it feels squishy and fun.

CHRISTMAS SENSORY BIN

Inspired by everything from littlebinsforlittlehands.com Sensory bins are a lot of fun and really easy to throw together: all you need is a box of some description (could be anything from a shoebox to an old container), sensory things to put in it, and tools to remove them from the box. We’ve seen lots of variations on the theme, especially on Little Bins for Little Hands, but we’re big fans of the Jingle Bell Christmas Sensory Bin from mamaot.com too, which recommends filling a box with things like pom poms, jingle bells and cotton balls. Filling a container with lots of scented pine cones, Christmas baubles, tinsel, and festively coloured filler like coloured sand or beans makes for a brilliant opportunity for sensory exploration. Little Bins also recommends the use of tools like children’s chopsticks, which can be used to lift items out of the box, as a means to help strengthen hand muscles and improve coordination.

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Sunken Trampolines are delighted to announce that they have been chosen to be the UK distributor of Global Playgrounds products which include birds nest swings and playground trampolines. Global Playgrounds are innovators in trampoline design and have produced wonderful shapes enabling schools to have exciting patterns and trails. For more info please visit the website. sunkentrampolines.co.uk 2

PEAPODMATS

The PeapodMat is the perfect bedding mat for any child who experiences bedwetting. The mat lies on top of the bedsheet and stays in place all night. If there is an accident a parent or carer can easily and quickly remove the mat and pop it in the washing machine. It is fully absorbent and soft and comfortable to sleep on. joizi.co.uk 3

HUGGAROO PUPPY

This long, weighted stuffed puppy is the perfect comfort toy for any child. It’s soft, long shape is ideal to wrap around or lie across a child’s body to provide them with a reassuring pressure to bring about a sense of calm. This cute puppy can be used all around the home, taken when travelling or used in the classroom to help children focus. It is fully machine washable too. huggaroo.co.uk

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4 4

SMIGGLE FIDGET PEN

Ease restless minds in the class with this fun and colourful fidget pen. It comes in a variety of colours and is stacked with lots of movable parts to spin and twist into different patterns and shapes. An ideal sensory tool to help kids keep focus at home, in school or during occupational therapy sessions.

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FELT CHRISTMAS TREE

This felt Christmas tree is ideal to lie flat or hang on the wall to allow little ones to decorate in any way they wish. It comes with 25 decorations, ranging from snowflakes and Santas, to bells and presents, in bright colours. The perfect activity to get kids into the festive spirit and encourage their creativity. amazon.co.uk 6

JOSI-WISMI REHAB BUGGY

This multi-sport stroller is ideal for active families who love the outdoors. Designed for children and young adults who require additional support, the buggy can be adapted with several additions including a running wheel, postural supports, and attachment clips for bikes. A great solution to get the whole family out together.

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REVOLUTIONARY SYSTEM The Trio sit to stand system has revolutionised manual handling challenges for a family and their young son Eleven-year-old Harry Doyle from Sydney, Australia recently received his Trio standing frame from UK-based Baffin Technology Systems, and he is already seeing huge benefits. Harry was born with complex conditions which include quadriplegic cerebral palsy, severe scoliosis and epilepsy. Harry is also non-verbal and requires one-to-one care on a full-time basis. As a result of these conditions, Harry’s bones break easily and his curved spine impacts on his internal organs. To help Harry build up his bone density he requires daily weight-bearing exercises and this is where the Trio is making a huge difference. With Harry’s previous standing equipment, it took two people to set him up in it as he had to be hoisted into position, strapped in and elevated. It was very time consuming and if he wasn’t in the 100% correct position he would slip down or put additional pressure on his bent leg. All this manual handling also increased the risk of Harry suffering a spontaneous bone break and only trained staff at school could help. Five months ago, Harry’s mum Karan started looking for an alternative solution as she wanted to increase his standing time and bone density prior to his planned spinal surgery in 2022. “As soon as I saw the Trio from Baffin Technology on Facebook it looked so different, but wasn’t available here in Australia so I kept looking. However, I kept going back to it as I truly believed it was what Harry needed. I got in touch with Marzena and her colleague Simon in the UK who were just amazing and with the help of Harry’s physio I completed their check chart after which they arranged a video conference with me to clarify all measurements to ensure the Trio was built to Harry’s exact requirements.” Harry has now been using his Baffin Trio for six weeks and Karan and Harry’s OT and physio have all been hugely impressed with the difference it has made to Harry already. “The Trio is amazing. Harry finds it very comfortable and supportive and the fact we can adjust him from sitting to standing at the touch of a button with no manual handling, is fantastic. What really sets the Trio apart from anything I have seen before is the Second Spine Technology, as Harry’s physio was able to set it to support Harry’s crooked spine and he no longer leans to the left, which is great for his posture. I cannot thank Marzena and everyone at Baffin Technology enough for what they have done for Harry and I would not hesitate

...the fact we can adjust him from sitting to standing at the touch of a button with no manual handling, is fantastic

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to recommend them to any family in a similar situation to us.” Over the past six years, Baffin Technology Systems has helped countless families in the UK looking for help with transferring their child from a sitting to standing position and the company is delighted to now be helping families further afield as founder Marzena Komisarczuk commented: “Hearing such positive feedback from Karan and Harry’s OT and physio is incredibly rewarding and the reason I set up Baffin Technology Systems in the first place so more children could benefit from transferring from a sitting to standing position without unnecessary pain.” The Trio standing frame features Baffin’s patented and innovative Second Spine® Technology system and pioneering balance seat which have been designed to create and support optimal positioning of the user’s spine and pelvis. In addition, this technology helps to prevent or significantly slow down the development of certain conditions and all this can be achieved while the user remains comfortable. Second Spine® Technology achieves this by anatomically mapping the patient’s spinal curvatures to allow passive correction of the spine in a seated position by supporting the entire length of the back to reduce pressure on the individual vertebrae. By doing this, the Second Spine Technology also helps to prevent further distortions.

...Baffin Technology Systems has helped countless families in the UK looking for help

The Sit to Stand devices available from Baffin Technology are truly multifunctional as the user can sit up, lie down, and stand up (3-in-1) at the touch of a button on the remote control, without the need to be transferred to another piece of equipment. Placing a child in a standing position is time consuming and can often cause more stress and result in an incorrect spinal position. Parents who are already using these chairs have commented on how amazing it is to finally be able to move their child from sitting to standing in just a few minutes and this has been echoed by physiotherapists who are involved in their day-to-day care. For more information on the full range of products available from Baffin Technology Systems or to arrange an assessment, call 01788 892 056, email office@baffin.co.uk or visit baffin.co.uk.

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Events and exhibitions are finally back on our calendar! This year will bring a mix of virtual, physical and hybrid events that will ensure everyone can attend in the capacity they are comfortable with. Check out the line up so far…

OTAC Events 17 Nov – OTAC Midlands, Drayton Manor Theme Park 10 Dec – OTAC Cardiff, Copthorne Hotel The UK’s only free Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference and Exhibition. At each event you will find expert seminars and exhibitors specialising in home adaptations and equipment, and invaluable CPD opportunities. otac.org.uk 17 NOV

Kidz to Adultz Exhibition Kidz to Adultz North, ACC Liverpool Free exhibition dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and all the professionals who support them, the events are packed with exhibitors and boast a great CPD seminar programme. kidzexhibitions.co.uk

22-23 FEB 2022

Moving & Handling People Conference De Vere Beaumont Estate, Windsor Returning for 2022, organised by Disabled Living Foundation as part of their Professionals Programme the theme this year will be ‘Reviewing Latest Thinking and Practice’. It provides hands-on workshops, informative seminars, networking opportunities and knowledgable speakers. livingmadeeasy.org.uk 18-19 MAY 2022

Residential and Home Care Show ExCel, London This show is part of Health Plus Care, it will cover all the big, current issues for social care including personalisation, integrated care, safeguarding, raising quality, dementia, CQC ratings, new employment law, recruitment and retention issues, which technologies work and business development. healthpluscare.co.uk/residential

24-25 NOV

The OT Show NEC, Birmingham The OT Show will return this year with a packed seminar programme, world class speakers from the OT community and an exhibition hall packed with organisation catering for the independent living market. theotshow.com

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EDGE services Exceptional Training with a Personal Touch Movin Handl g & Key Tr ing a Certifi iner’s cate Successful completion of the EDGE People or Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses will provide delegates with the up to date skills, knowledge and tools to teach others in safer people or children handling skills and to conduct moving and handling risk assessments. • Healthcare Professionals All EDGE Services Trainers are nurses, occupational therapists or physiotherapists with at least ten years’ clinical experience and at least six years’ training experience. • Professionally and Academically Accredited All our People and Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses are accredited by RoSPA Qualifications to Level 4 or Advanced Level 4. They are Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Approved Learning Awards, certified by the CPD Certification Service and aligned to the Skills for Care Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF).

• Extensive Training Resources, Exclusive On-line Library and E-Learning Module Our training is supported by a professionally produced and fully illustrated 246-page course textbook, proposed documentation for onward training delivery, four video modules demonstrating over 45 moving and handling practical skills techniques, an extensive and exclusive on-line resources library and a user-friendly e-learning programme designed for front-line staff.

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