The OT Magazine – Sep / Oct 2021 by 2A Publishing

THE

Sleep Hygiene

MAGAZINE

Applying OT theory to your own life for a better night’s sleep

Issue 42 | Sep/Oct 21 | Improving Independence

COLU M N S

PRO DUC T S

CPD

EVENTS

MENTAL HEALTH

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About us

The Team

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Production: Donna Deakin Sales: Danny McGonigle Contributors: Kate Sheehan, Sarah Barley-McMullen, Sian Burgess, Nicola Carne, Emily Stuart, Deb Bullen, Sally Callow

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eptember has arrived with an abrupt realisation that we are approaching the end of another year that has been filled with COVID restrictions and uncertainty. Granted, it has felt like a more positive year, but the after effects of this disease are becoming more apparent in adults and children who are living with long COVID.

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

Sarah Barley-McMullen and Sian Burgess from the University of Derby have been exploring how occupational therapy can play a key role in supporting those living with the varied long-term effects of COVID-19. You can read their thoughts on page 14. We also look at how the long-term effects of this disease are impacting children and young people. It has been generally regarded that children do not experience symptoms as severely, but there are many young people living with long-term symptoms and these are having a hugely adverse effect on their childhoods. OTs are ideally placed to help support these young people in managing their physical and mental health as they recover. NICE recently delayed the publication on new guidelines for the treatment of ME/CFS. Sally Callow, founder of training organisation Stripy Lightbulb CIC and patient advocate, shares her thoughts on how OTs can continue to support those living with the condition. It feels like we are entering the event season as we have so many to look forward to. OTAC have many events taking place over the next few months, Naidex takes place in September and Kidz to Adultz North and The OT Show will be running in November. Check out our event calendar on page 65 for details. We hope to meet many of you there. The OT Magazine, Editor

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What’s inside 07 What’s New

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

13 What is an Expert?

Kate Sheehan explores when it is and isn’t appropriate to call yourself an expert in a field

14 Living with Long

COVID

Sarah Barley-McMullen and Sian Burgess discuss the role of OT in treating long COVID

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

25 Day in the Life Nicola Carne shares her role as a clinical lead OT

26 Eating with

your Eyes

Dietitian Emily Stuart explains why it’s important for food to look as good as it tastes

30 Sport Participation Specialist OT Deb Bullen shares her experience of how activity can impact patients 4

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34 NICE Guidelines

on ME/CFS Paused

Sally Callow of Stripy Lightbulb CIC explains the recent “pause” on NICE guidelines

36 Product Focus More of the latest must-have products

39 52

39 Sweet Dreams Sleep hygiene is vital to having a good night’s sleep, and isn’t just for clients

42 The Right Stuff As we get older, it becomes more important to be mindful of our vitamin and mineral intake

Product

Focus 36

45 Stellar Work Introducing Stellar, the upcoming app designed by a 13-year-old that aims to make OTs’ lives easier

48 Managing ADHD What role can occupational therapy play in helping clients to manage ADHD?

52 Long COVID

in Kids

Long COVID doesn’t discriminate by age, so how can OTs help their younger clients?

55 Paediatric Products Innovative products for your younger clients

62 Online OT

Communities

Reaching out across the vastness of the world wide web to make connections to fellow OTs

65 Events Calendar Essential dates for your diary www.

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

What’s new? STUDENTS RUN CF THRIVE SESSIONS Students from the University of Huddersfield have been helping young people living with cystic fibrosis by delivering a series of innovative online group sessions. The University’s scheme is called CF THRIVE - TeleHealth Relevant and Individualised for a Variety of Everyday needs. It follows THRIVE, which was set up in 2020 so physiotherapy and occupational therapy BSc(Hons) students could gain the clinical hours they need to qualify, whilst providing a health coaching service to communities online.

The sessions offer physical activities for young people with cystic fibrosis aged six to 16, as well as a chance for them to chat and share their experiences in a safe environment. CF THRIVE is supported by the nationwide charity the CF Trust. Madeline Pilbury, physiotherapy practitioner and lecturer in the School of Human and Health Sciences, pitched her idea for online sessions to the Trust’s Youth Action Group, with the Trust then attracting interest from patients via a social media campaign. Madeline commented: “I was

keen to open this out to the CF community and I was aware that the CF Trust ran online groups like yoga, dancercise and craft activities for children online. I thought if we could team up with them we could offer something to children with CF. “We’re really pleased to have physios and occupational therapists working together. We want to promote the sharing of ideas and clinical skills. Physios working in CF are a wellestablished and traditional part of treating CF, whereas OTs are a more emerging role in CF. It’s great for them to share their skills with physios and to learn from them.”

SMART TECH INTEGRATED IN SUPPORTED HOUSING Smart technology has been implemented in a new housing scheme that will support the independence of adults with learning disabilities. Telehealth provider Tunstall Healthcare, have worked in collaboration with construction firm Jeakins Weir, to integrate smart technology at the planning stage of the development of the housing project. It will help staff and carers to provide more person-centred support, as well as giving care managers greater insight into how best to allocate resources to meet the needs of the people living there. Tunstall’s scalable communication system, Communicall Vi has been installed at Oak Tree Rise, a development comprising eight semi-detached bungalows and

forming part of a supported housing scheme developed by West Northamptonshire Council to meet a demand for smart homes that support young adults with complex needs. Designed specifically for group living environments, Communicall Vi provides an integrated platform for the delivery and management of 24/7 alarm communications, telecare, door entry and access control. Its core system is linked to speech modules, which can be configured via a web browser or system control panel, providing carers and staff members at the accommodation with information to deliver effective care.

which will automatically raise an alert if help is required, enabling care to be given where and when it is needed, but supporting independence when it isn’t. Helen Town, NPH assistant director - assets and development, said: “Installing this technology at Oak Tree Rise ensures that personcentred support can be provided to help residents work towards a more independent future.”

The system supports the use of telecare sensors and wearable technology, such as fall detectors,

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NEW LEARNING SUITE FOR STUDENTS

their knowledge and expertise to review and endorse a series of training packages, that Prism Healthcare has developed for delivery to clinical practitioners across the country. The review will confirm that the training meets clinical care standards and quality. Professor Paul Bissell, Dean of the School of Human and Health Sciences, explained why it was so imperative for industry and academia to work together. “Working in partnership with businesses is important to ensure that our students and staff are kept abreast of new cutting-edge technological developments from the commercial sector.

A new learning suite is being created for occupational therapy and physiotherapy students at the University of Huddersfield.

gain insight and understanding of how the devices can be used safely and effectively while maintaining exceptional levels of patient care.

They are working with healthcare product manufacturer Prism Healthcare, who are providing equipment and devices for the new learning suite. This equipment will offer students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with clinical care equipment, allowing them to

This suite will provide a welcome learning experience for OT and physio students, and will further promote the importance of personcentred care. Academics from the University’s School of Human and Health Sciences will also be offering

“This helps us to better inform our engaged teaching and applied research – ensuring that our students and staff are making a real-world impact on people and places. “We look forward to collaborating with Prism Healthcare both to enrich the learning environment for our students and to provide Prism Healthcare with academic insight into their products and services,” he added.

Keywing special offer for OTs Keywing are offering occupational therapists an exclusive offer for their countertop packs at a generous 33% off. Allowing you to offer clients and patients the opportunity to purchase the handy key turners at their convenience. The Keywing is perfect for those with arthritis or weak hands, it makes fiddly keys a thing of the past, restoring confidence, safety and independence. The Keywing has been released in a new attractive and fun countertop retail box making it convenient for OTs to offer for sale to patients who could benefit from them. The countertop retail box includes 10 Keywing triple packs and you could purchase a box with 33% off!

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The Keywing transforms hard to grasp keys into an easy grip turn snib and makes keys twice as easy to turn. Four large comfortable dimpled domes significantly reduce the strain and strength that is typically required to pinch keys, instead making it simple to grip and operate keys quickly and effortlessly. The vibrant colours also ensure that keys can be located easily. OTs can now purchase a new 10 pack countertop box with a 33% discount from the RRP of £124.90. Shop by searching Keywing on amazon.co.uk and enter code “TheOT33Off” at checkout to obtain the discount. Offer valid whilst stocks last and will end on 31 October 2021.

The Fab Change Festival takes place every year to celebrate and raise awareness of the achievements of NHS staff. Facilitated by the Academy of Fabulous Stuff, this year’s theme will reflect on the challenges experienced by health and social care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

#FABCHANGE21

Taking place on 24 November, they are asking everyone to get involved via social media channels and online platforms. They want to encourage sharing, discussion, peer support and networking, while making sure FabChange21 is as easy and fun as possible to get involved in. They are working in collaboration with WeCommunities and using the WeGizmo platform, and have developed a simple participation activity card with bronze, silver and gold stages in the hopes of enabling widespread sharing across the AHP communities. Visit fabnhsstuff.net to find out how you can get involved.

Arts-based pilot project supports social prescribing Healthcare professional support organisation Performing Medicine, has recently delivered a successful arts-based pilot project run across the London Boroughs of Southwark and Merton.

The workforce development programme was delivered to three professional groups involved in social prescribing of arts and culture, including GPs, link workers, and artists. It has shown the significant

need for cross-sector working to support social prescribing. The project showed that this form of interprofessional training would support the increasing social prescribing movement and help increase access to the arts for future patients. Carly Annable-Coop, programme manager at Performing Medicine said: “The need for social prescribing has increased considerably in recent years, with awareness heightened significantly during the pandemic. Connecting the different professional groups involved is therefore imperative, and our pilot workforce training programme with Southwark and Merton has demonstrated how arts-based training successfully supports this complex, cross-sector workforce; helping to develop the practical skills to build a rich inter-professional community who understand each other’s contexts and how to communicate effectively with each other and the people who are referred to them.”

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OTS LAUNCH MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

A team of occupational therapists from the East Hampshire Communities Learning Disabilities team recently introduced a project to address the lack of meaningful engagement that was reported by those they worked with. They identified via their referrals that some 60% of referrals were relating to meaningful engagement and, coupled with the restrictions in place during COVID, were concerned at the number of people

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with learning disabilities who were experiencing issues with engaging with society and socialising with others. They began to work on a project to work with the staff at supported living centres to help upskill them into running meaningful engagement activities. The aim was to help them address the needs of their service users and give them the confidence and skills to run these projects with support from

the occupational therapist teams. They had staff from 14 homes participate in the training, which covered intense interaction, active support and sensory, and discussed how to recognise signs of meaningful engagement and disengagement. They also covered activities that can be done in home and out of the home and explored project planning to ensure these ideas could be initiated.

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WHAT IS AN

EXPERT?

have been pondering what it is that makes you an expert in your chosen specialism. Is it the length of time spent in practice, is it being well-read in an area of practice, or is it someone who has researched that subject matter? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition is: “a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field”. However, I much prefer the Merriam Webster definition and explanation:

“You need to be more than skilled, accomplished, talented, proficient, or gifted to be an expert. You have to be someone with broad competences, knowledge, and skills, acquired through research, education, experience, and practice in a particular field to be truly considered an expert”. If we use this definition, what makes an occupational therapist an expert in their chosen specialism? Breaking down the above definition into its component parts, I have put my thoughts against each area. Broad competence To me, this means an understanding of how to communicate both verbally and in writing with clients. Understanding your chosen field and working with your supervisor to develop your competence through working with clients and further education. One of my best experiences was shadowing a tree officer: I learned so much about ground drainage, flooding, and tree preservations orders, and I still use this

knowledge 30 years later. Knowledge This is being able to learn the facts and relevant information. In my field, understanding the legal duties we have within housing and social care, and Part M of the building regulations in detail is of great importance, in particular the technical details that an architect will discuss with you. Skills acquired through research Being able to use relevant clinical research to back up your clinical reasoning, and base your practice on those research articles from across the world. Skills acquired through education Learning never stops. You must be able to show that you are learning all the time. This could be understanding a new government policy or reviewing a new product just released onto the market. If you are not up to date on all parts of your specialism, you are not an expert. Skills acquired through experience This does not necessarily mean years and years of experience, but a length of time that has allowed you to work with different clients, in different situations, and have been able to develop and constantly improve intervention skills over that period and in everyday practice. Skills acquired through practice Our clients are our experts. Through working with my clients, I have learned the most - listening is one of the best ways to educate yourself. It is also important to learn from your mistakes. None of us get it right all the time, but what is important is how you use that experience, reflect on it, and make sure you don’t make the same mistakes again. I can say with absolute conviction

that I am a housing and equipment expert. I do not know everything but have an amazing network of colleagues who I can call on for advice and for informal peer supervision. What I know I am not is a neuro-rehab, sensory, forensic, or hand expert and would never practice in those areas or claim to be one. Although I do think over a lifetime of being an OT you can move from one specialism to another if you choose to do so. However, if you are not practising in the field you moved from, you will lose your expertise very quickly. Understanding the scope of our area of expertise is our professional responsibility. During my very brief career in the medical legal world, a very experienced QC took me into court to practice my evidence. The first thing he asked was: “why do you think you are an expert?” It completely flummoxed me, and over the period of 20 minutes he teased out my knowledge and skills with very probing questions. We left the court and over a coffee, he told me to never ever say I can do things outside my expertise because if I wound up in front of him in court he said: “I will take you down, stick to what you are an expert in.” This experience really stayed with me and to this day I am very clear about what I am an expert in and how I could demonstrate that in court if I ever needed to. We cannot be an expert in every area of practice. I would not presume to be a neuro-rehab expert and I would not expect a neuro-rehab OT to be a housing expert. The additional benefit of this approach is we become known for our clearly defined expertise and not a jack of all trades.

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Living with Long COVID Sarah Barley-McMullen, diversity and inclusion lead, and Sian Burgess, assistant discipline lead for occupational therapy at the University of Derby, examine how the discipline can support recovery from those suffering lasting effects from the virus

Sarah Barley-McMullen

ost people will have known, or know of someone, who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. In whatever way the pandemic has affected us, we will all have dealt with and experienced the impact differently. However, we are becoming increasingly aware of the number of people who are living with ongoing challenges following their initial infection, and rehabilitation services across the UK are beginning to consider and plan how best to deal with this evolving new condition of post-COVID-19 syndrome, or long COVID.

trusts were quick to respond, setting up long COVID clinics to support and advise people diagnosed with it. In October 2020, the chief executive of NHS England announced that £10 million was to be invested to help set up long COVID clinics across the country. The current challenge is ensuring these clinics can meet demand. Recent findings show that a third of people who had COVID-19 report symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more. This may amount to over two million people in England.

Those people diagnosed with long COVID are living with a range of symptoms and challenges which span the areas of physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional functions. The condition is thought to occur in approximately 962,000 people living in private households in the UK, or 1.5% of the population, with symptoms lasting more than four weeks. Different degrees of symptoms are being experienced, and these can jeopardise pre-existing health conditions, life roles and, in some cases, a return to work. Some people will also have experienced increased anxiety and isolation, impacting on their ability to engage socially with family, friends, and their local community. It is this difference in long term symptoms and the unknown outcomes which have been the starting point for many health services and staff teams. Many NHS 14

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Sian Burgess

THE ROLE OF OT Occupational therapists are well suited to working with people with symptoms of long COVID. We work with people of all ages and are experts in supporting those who have difficulties carrying out day-to-day activities, habits and roles because of a disability, an illness, a long-term condition or ageing. These complexities can be the result of physical or mental health, or social impacts. Our role in understanding a person’s motivations and goals allows us to facilitate and support them to understand how to live with their symptoms post-illness and establish new goals, routines, and habits to live a meaningful and purposive full life. To demonstrate, let us consider the effect that long COVID has had upon one person: “The first symptoms I noticed were dizziness, earache, and very dry eyes. It was only on day four that I developed a cough and was sent for a PCR COVID test – when it came back positive the next day, I was stunned. Although I became quite unwell, and had to call the paramedics out one night, I was extremely lucky not to be hospitalised. “After six weeks of little change in symptoms, I was referred to the long COVID clinic, had blood tests which came back clear and a chest x-ray, which showed I had atelectasis – a partially collapsed lung which was putting additional strain on my heart. I have been told that my autonomic nervous system is dysfunctional which means I am

breathless, fatigued, regularly have a racing heart. I am dizzy when I move, unable to regulate my body temperature and have a lot of chest pain and swollen joints. I cannot focus, concentrate or talk for long periods of time; I also cannot produce enough tears – I cannot cry.” In these initial stages of the illness, intervention is predominantly medical and focused on preserving life. Individuals are often not able to be with their family or friends. These experiences may impact them psychologically and emotionally. In addition, many people are left with extreme fatigue and shortness of breath, alongside pain, and changes in sensory systems including perception. Occupational therapists can help people understand how to pace activities differently in these initial stages. They may support people in understanding those initial medical stages to help them make sense of their experiences and manage their symptoms of anxiety which have resulted from these interventions and stages of diagnosis. Living with a long-term condition requires life adjustments. For some people, this can mean psychological or environmental adjustments, or both. These can be significant life changes for some people, impacting their finances and relationships. Occupational therapists understand the distress that life changes can bring. Their skills in supporting people to understand this impact while retaining key roles, identities and purpose are key to facilitating the process of beginning to live alongside and managing their long-term symptoms.

It was only on day four that I developed a cough and was sent for a PCR COVID test – when it came back positive the next day, I was stunned

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Here is the perspective of another person living with long COVID on the changes to their life and the role of occupational therapy: “Work gives me an important structure in my life. I am someone who has always had to keep an eye on my mental health, and I have had good solid wellbeing strategies for recognising and addressing the signs of anxiety and low mood. These strategies however have had to change dramatically because of long COVID, because I do not physically, psychologically, or emotionally have the energy to engage in them. “I am a positive person by nature, but no one in the medical profession can tell me how long I will be unwell for or how much better I will get from long COVID and that is scary. “I am grateful for the occupational therapist friends and colleagues, who have helped me manage my limited resources for occupational engagement and see the things I still can do.”

I am a positive person by nature, but no one in the medical profession can tell me how long I will be unwell for or how much better I will get from long COVID

RESOURCES In December 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published a guideline for managing the long-term effects of COVID-19. RCOT has also published information available to the general public on recovering from the virus and how to live with post-viral fatigue. The vocational rehabilitation team at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust has produced a range of videos to support individuals and employers in assisting people to return to work. These can be viewed at bit.do/Derby-videos. There are many free resources available to the public and sometimes working through them can be overwhelming. Occupational therapists can help people view these from their own experiences and support them in personalising this information to their own situation. OTs understand how important it is for the health and wellbeing of individuals that they can continue to have a valued role in their families, communities and society. Adjusting to living with any long-term condition is challenging and OTs are uniquely placed to understand these challenges and work with individuals and communities of people to ensure the best outcomes are achieved to enable people to live life to the best of their ability.

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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

STRUZZO STANDING FRAME

The Struzzo frame allows people to stand independently, and allows them to move around without assistance, as well as transferring autonomously. The Struzzo supports the user’s lower body, allowing them to slide from a wheelchair and into the device, which then slowly and safely moves them into a standing position. medimotion.co.uk 2

RNIB DIGITAL RADIO

Designed specifically for people who live with low vision, the RNIB’s digital radio is a DAB+ and FM radio that is incredibly easy to use. It features an extra-large display with high-contrast characters, is compatible with USB sticks from the RNIB’s Talking Book Service, and has quality of life features like a low room temperature alert and alarm clock function. shop.rnib.org.uk

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WEIGHTED ROBE

Love the feeling of your weighted blanket, but hate having to leave its lovely, heavy warmth to go and answer the door or get another cup of tea? Do we have great news for you: the Gravity weighted robe combines the usefulness of a dressing gown with weighted relaxation. It’s available in three weights, and four different colours. gravityblankets.co.uk 4

WHEELAIR

The Slingback is a canvas backrest with an integrated WheelAir system. Designed to be added to a user’s wheelchair to keep them cool and comfortable, the carefully selected fabric and foams work to enhance support and comfort. Available in six widths, they cater for manual and powered wheelchairs of varying sizes, ensuring everyone can regulate their temperature. wheelair.co.uk 5

QUICKWASH BASIN

The height adjustable QuickWash basin from Ropox comes forward from the wall meaning the user does not have to bend or reach from their wheelchair. Requiring no electrics, the QuickWash is easy to install and for wheelchair users, the basin can be lowered from its fixed point by 140mm and out from the wall by 100mm making it the ideal bathroom solution. Visit Ropox on stand F122 at Naidex. ropox.com

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KEYWING

The Keywing transforms hard to grasp keys into an easy grip turn snib and makes keys twice as easy to turn. Four large comfortable dimpled domes significantly reduce the strain and strength that is typically required to pinch keys, and the vibrant colours ensure that the keys stand out at the bottom of any bag. Keywing have launched a handy counter top box following feedback from OTs. You can purchase these with a 33% discount using code ‘TheOT33Off’ on Amazon. You can also visit ot-magazine.co.uk to enter a competition to win one of 10 sets we have to give away!

thekeywing.com 7

EXTRA WIDE FOOTWEAR

Bursting with new styles and seasonal colours, the autumn/ winter collection from Cosyfeet delivers great choice and comfort for individuals with extra wide or swollen feet. Recommending Cosyfeet to your patients couldn’t be easier thanks to a range of free resources for health professionals – visit cosyfeet.com/professionals to find out more. cosyfeet.com | 01458 447275 8

1-UP HAIR TIE

This clever little hair tie is designed for those with limited upper limb mobility, and can be put in using one hand, residual limbs, two hands or feet. It creates a great ponytail and can be used as a headband too, the double loop system allows the user to tighten the tie around the hair, removing any challenges with hand grip. activehands.com | 01564 702255

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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP YOU ON THE MOVE

THERA-Trainer EXERCISE BIKES ACTIVE / PASSIVE

WHY THERA-Trainer? Regular exercise at home is encouraged to help maintain and improve muscle tone, circulation and flexibility, decrease fluid retention and increase stamina levels - all vital for anyone with limited mobility.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT EXERCISE bike to suit both your need and budget from our range of THERA trainers.

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MOBI 540

TIGO 530

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION DEMONSTRATION IN YOUR HOME OR REQUEST A BROCHURE CALL US ON 01908 564100 or email info@medicotech.co.uk

TIGO 558

01908 564100 info@medicotech.co.uk www.medicotech.co.uk MEDICOTECH

TIGO 510

GLOVE AIRFLOW TM

Discover the highly recommended in-chair sling from Care & Independence

he Glovetm Airflow (GAIR) from safe patient moving and handling specialists Care & Independence is an advanced in-chair style sling. Popular amongst Care & Independence in-chair style slings, the Glovetm Airflow has been hailed as the “best in-chair sling on the market” according to occupational therapist testimonies. The GAIR is constructed from the technically advanced ‘Airflow’ polyester fabric, originally purposed for use by military and police beneath combat/riot gear to help them keep cool even in the most stressful situations. An alternating thick and thin fabric weave provides a superior breathability allowing air to easily flow through and around the fabric. This is of paramount importance in helping maintain a cool and even body temperature and so is ideally suited for in-chair/in-situ use. Additionally, the 3D weave moulds with the body and provides a soft yet strong supportive shape with exceptional user comfort during hoisting. Plus, as a full body style sling with integral head support and an outside leg pick-up and modesty loop, the GAIR provides security alongside high performance. Benefits of the GAIR extend to bathing suitability and use in hydrotherapy. The GAIR can also be used for single or bilateral above knee amputees. The science behind the Glovetm Airflow doesn’t stop at the fabric either. Care & Independence in-chair slings are made without an aperture for very good reason. Independent pressure mapping research validates that in-chair slings with raised edges such as apertures can increase the risk of pressure. Results taken at the end of a ten-minute test period on apertured in-chair slings evidenced considerable and uneven increase to peak pressure - five times that of the control test and with the aperture outline clearly marked! A repeat test using the GAIR, showed pressure distribution across the user’s posterior remained consistent and even. Additionally, the average pressure remained as low as the control baseline test without the GAIR present, meaning the risk of skin integrity issues to the user remained low. 22

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The results of this research scientifically attest that for in-situ use, an aperture can compromise skin integrity and put the user at an unnecessary risk of developing pressure injuries as well as introducing unnecessary discomfort. It further demonstrates that using a GAIR significantly improves user comfort and reduces detrimental skin integrity risks to the user when compared to other apertured in-situ slings currently available in the market. Available in sizes 1-12 and with a safe working load of up to 350kg, the Glovetm Airflow has become an essential piece of everyday equipment and helped improve the lives of hundreds of less-abled users. Free assessments and product training are given with all Care & Independence Glovetm slings. To book an appointment with a local product specialist, call 033 012 80808 or visit careandindependence.com for further information.

...the Glovetm Airflow has become an essential piece of everyday equipment and helped improve the lives of hundreds of less-abled users

*Code expires 31/08/2021

n i y a d A f. . o e f i l e th

ne r a C a Nicol s been a

ha Nicola r over OT fo g in tly practic curren ra d n a d rs lexan 27 yea een A u Q t h a ut as works rtsmo o P in py al l thera a Hospit n io t cupa . an oc l lead clinica

What is your current role and how long have you been in it? My current job role is a clinical lead OT. I have been an operational clinical lead for the past 16 years and have been an OT for the past 27 years.

Describe a typical day... I spend the majority of my day looking after staff and sorting out the general operational running of four main therapy teams; older persons medical, urgent care, an enablement service and a treatment centre. This includes skill mixing, recruitment, supervision of staff, attending meetings, completing mini audits, and dealing with general therapy enquires, from both physiotherapists and OTs. Some days I am more clinical and that will involve passing on my clinical knowledge and skills by joint working with junior staff. I also attend access visits, issue equipment and investigate the reasons behind any potential delayed discharges.

Nicola

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.

e n r a C

What is the hardest thing about your role?

What’s the best part of your role?

It is more frustration than difficulty within my job role, as we try to ensure that the patients are receiving the best quality service they deserve within our limited resources. Seeing staff struggle to maintain a gold standard service with limited resources can be hard. Having to work through and complete, what seems like, constant unnecessary procedures in order to get your voice heard and for staff to be recognised and feel valued within the wider MDT is difficult.

My job role is so very varied and interesting. I am in a very practical vocational career that I love. I get to meet lots of great, varied and interesting people and staff. I get to help people to live their lives as independently as possible, in their own homes. I get to help staff develop and see them grow within their therapy career. To me, no other career can match the expectations and job satisfaction that being an OT does.

To me, no other career can match the expectations and job satisfaction that being an OT does

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Eating with your Eyes

Dietitian Emily Stuart discusses the importance of being presented with an appetising meal, that also caters for a patient’s nutritional needs, to encourage participation at mealtimes

or those living with swallowing difficulties – otherwise known as dysphagia - it isn’t just the physical side effects of the condition that can be debilitating. Eating home-blended texture-modified food that one is not accustomed to can, despite best efforts, often be unappealing and have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. Josephine Bailey, 50, has dysphagia, as a result of oesophageal cancer and did not enjoy the experience 26

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of home-blending once discharged from hospital three years ago: “I’d lost a massive amount of weight and didn’t want to be tube fed anymore. Mealtimes were becoming really stressful. I didn’t know what to eat, I was pureeing everything with my hand-held blender, which wasn’t working very well, and everything resembled mush.” There are a number of things that occupational therapists can do to support malnutrition management. Exploring the reasons behind weight loss is a viable route to go down, as malnutrition isn’t always an inevitable consequence of infections, illness or ageing: nutrition plays a crucial role in health and recovery. Sufficient protein is important to regain muscle mass and strength (as well as repairing damaged tissues) so promoting rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans and pulses is recommended. Those living with dysphagia are frequently at risk of malnutrition, with studies showing that some 51% are malnourished. Any dietitians will know that when a patient is unwell or apprehensive about eating food encouraging them to eat a full meal can be a challenge due to reduced appetite. This can be

made worse when food is unappetising, something again which is often a challenge for those on texture modified diets. Being presented with a puréed meal that doesn’t resemble food that a patient is used to can make the eating process even harder. People with dysphagia still eat with their eyes and if a meal is not visually appealing this can fail to trigger salivation, which can further negatively impact the already weakened swallowing process. Josephine adds: “My healthcare professional recommended Wiltshire Farm Foods as they have meals with different Levels to suit various swallowing needs. So, it means I’m able to switch from Level 4 to Level 5 depending on how my dilatations go. The meals look and taste great and were a welcome relief from my home-blended food.” “At the time I started ordering with them, I was having radiotherapy and wasn’t feeling well so also appreciated the convenience of having them delivered. This meant I could just pop a meal in the microwave straight from the freezer, which really did take the stress out of mealtimes.”

...bring the dignity back to dining

The latest innovation from Wiltshire Farm Foods involves the ‘browning’ effect of its duchess potatoes across the company’s award-winning Level 4 Purée Petite range, to enhance the visual appeal of its meals even further and bring the dignity back to dining. Favourites such as their Puréed Steak Casserole, Puréed Cheese and Onion Bake and Puréed Lamb and Gravy are now accompanied by delicious looking browned potatoes; an innovation which Josephine - who enjoys the Puréed meals - is delighted by:

“For me, having a meal which resembles regularly textured food is an all-important part of the inclusivity factor of mealtimes, especially when we have friends or family round. These new ‘browned’ potatoes don’t just look and taste fantastic, they’re also the right texture for my swallowing needs, so they really do tick all the boxes.” To try the new range, along with a variety of other meals, Wiltshire Farm Foods is exhibiting at Naidex on 15-16 September, visit them on stand F82. For more information visit: wff.link/HCPrequest

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Geberit Care Team Expansion After a fantastic start to the year, Geberit has announced the expansion of its AquaClean Care team. This continued growth will allow the team to continue to deliver the best service possible to its customers

t the heart of the Geberit Care team are both the demonstration and training of the Geberit AquaClean Mera Care and each ASM is equipped with their own demonstration unit of the Mera Care. The three new members of the team are Tom Price, Garfield King and Dana Miller who together boast 30 years in the healthcare market. Tom Price has worked in the healthcare industry for much of his career in different roles, including working with furniture and other home adaptations. He has also been asked to give talks at a number of universities in this field including Bournemouth, Oxford Brookes and Lincoln. Tom will be looking after the Midlands region and is looking forward to transferring his skills to bathroom adaptations. Garfield King whilst being a newer addition to the industry, has joined the Geberit Team to look after the North of England. With previous experience in bathing solutions, Garfield is perfectly placed to deliver the best solutions for both OTs and users in the world of toileting adaptations and installations. Dana Miller joins the Geberit team after 17 years in medical sales where she has worked in 24hr postural equipment and pressure care seating. While Dana did take a year out to follow her passion of working with dogs, this helped her realise her love for the healthcare industry and so joins Geberit to look after North London and Home Counties. Dana is looking forward to helping

people again with the AquaClean toilet, a part of life we sometimes take for granted. National Sales Manager Simon Thomas said: “We are delighted to welcome three new members into the Geberit Care team. With their different backgrounds each will bring something unique to our group and this expansion underlines our continuing commitment to the healthcare industry and the Geberit AquaClean Mera Care.” The Geberit AquaClean Mera Care brings to the market unrivalled product features and is the culmination of listening to both OTs and end user requirements. Designed for independent living, and each element plays a vital role to ensure that people of all ages can regain their independence and dignity in the bathroom. Whilst being packed with innovative technology such as the one-minute wash cycle, and water storage heater, the Mera Care can also be adapted to individual needs. The height adjustable frame and multiple control options, including mobile app, means the toilet can adapt and change with you. The unique shower chair mode enables the Mera Care to also be used in conjunction with a range of shower chairs, and benches. A five-year free of charge warranty also offers complete peace of mind. Find your local Geberit representative and find out more about the Geberit AquaClean Mera Care visit geberit-aquaclean.co.uk/care.

GEBERIT AQUACLEAN MERA CARE SHOWER TOILET

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TOUCHLESS WALL CONTROL PANEL

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FLUSH ACTUATION FROM REMOTE CONTROL

SPORT PARTICIPATION Deb Bullen is a specialist occupational therapist working in leisure centres across London, supporting people who face barriers to participating in sport. She qualified in 2019 and started her OT journey with the pioneering and awardwinning organisation, Sport for Confidence. Last year, The British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) published her MSc research about occupational therapists enabling people to participate in sport. She is currently working on delivering the model in Westminster plus possible expansion into Sussex, where she lives and retains a parttime role with the NHS. Here she shares what her role involves and the impact sport and activity can have on the people she works with.

port for Confidence CIC is a unique organisation that places occupational therapists alongside sports coaches to deliver person-centred physical activity sessions for individuals who face barriers to sports participation. My role is to provide all the necessary interventions to enable occupation and to help individuals achieve their full potential. My work revolves around ensuring the leisure centre is accessible and that all Sport for Confidence sessions are inclusive, making reasonable adjustments and breaking down barriers for each and every individual involved. I provide inclusive sporting opportunities to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia, autism, physical impairment or disability, and many other complex health conditions. On a day-to-day basis, working alongside a sports coach, I deliver a range of group activities including boccia, multi-sports, basketball, table tennis, and polybat. I also 30

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support and enable people to build confidence in the gym and in the swimming pool. When working with a new client, I usually meet them face to face for an initial assessment, which may take place alongside a key worker, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist, depending on the origin of the referral. Although this is quite an informal process, I feel it’s important to go through the OT process of finding out what’s important to that person. I assess their strengths, needs and find out what goals they would like to achieve; for example, do they need to relearn skills, do they need a role and routine, do they need to work on social skills and communication. I then look at what activities and sports will best meet their needs. I also get involved in community outreach working closely with SEND schools and colleges, health and social care teams, charities and other third sector organisations, to encourage and empower as many people as possible in the community to be physically active. Another part of my role is to develop and deliver workshops and webinars providing education on the importance of being active. I’ve also contributed to education resources. For example, recently, in my role with Sport for Confidence, we teamed up with Table Tennis England and the Brighton Table Tennis Club to produce a guide detailing the therapeutic use of table tennis. The aim of this project is to help coaches, carers and AHPs make table tennis accessible to as wide a demographic as possible, enabling more people to reap the many mental, physical and social benefits of

involvement in the sport. The guide is available free via download from the Sport for Confidence website: sportforconfidence.com. One of the best parts of my role is that I work with a lot of SEND schools and colleges and sometimes I see the same participants over a long period of time; therefore, I get to witness them achieving their goals and developing independent living skills, which is really rewarding. I love working with a range of people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures, all with different strengths and needs. It’s great to see them being active and having fun, as well as making new friends. Attending Sport for Confidence sessions not only improves health and wellbeing, it also helps to reduce social isolation. I often see participants sitting in the café together after a session, or supporting each other in sessions, which is really lovely to see. It can be quite difficult working within the sport and leisure industry sometimes and having to explain what occupational therapy is, time and time again. Most people think I’m from occupational health. I do find it hard, at times, to keep hold of my professional identity and find myself slipping into the sports coach role. I have to regularly remind myself of the unique contribution I bring to the role as an occupational therapist and remind myself of the occupational performance outcomes I’m aiming to achieve with each participant.

Occupational therapy has so much to offer and it’s important that, as a profession, we continue to pioneer new ways to extend our reach. Breaking new ground is never without its challenges but the greater the challenge, often the greater the reward and I certainly feel this is true of my work with Sport for Confidence. To read Deb’s MSc research article referenced in this piece and published in the BJOT visit doi.org/10.1177/0308022620973944.

One of the best parts of my role is that I work with a lot of SEND schools and colleges and sometimes I see the same participants over a long period of time

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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. 32

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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).

NICE Guidelines on ME/CFS Paused Sally Callow runs training organisation Stripy Lightbulb CIC, specialising in the education of healthcare professionals working with patients living with ME/CFS. Sally is also an ME/CFS patient advocate and here she discusses the recent “pause” placed on the publication of new NICE guidelines

his article had been intended to educate occupational therapists about the new National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, the publication did not go according to plan. NICE have taken the unprecedented step of “pausing” the publication despite the new guidelines being signed off by all stakeholders two weeks previously. It is a disappointing and confusing halt to an evidence-based review that has taken well over three years, and a lot of hard work by many different stakeholders. ME/CFS has the reputation of being a controversial area of medicine, and so to believe that the review would be plain sailing would have been naïve, however I doubt anyone would have expected this pause. The question now is how should occupational therapists support patients during this pause given that the previous guidance was published in 2007 and was outdated, hence the current review. Stripy Lightbulb CIC will be recommending that our learners recognise that in the draft guidance published in 34

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November, NICE very clearly stated on pages 27-28: Do not offer people with ME/CFS: 1 any therapy based on physical activity or exercise as a treatment or a cure for ME/CFS 2 generalised physical activity or exercise programmes this includes programmes developed for healthy people or people with other illnesses 3 any programme based on fixed incremental increases in physical activity or exercise, for example graded exercise therapy (GET) 4 structured activity or exercise programmes that are based on deconditioning as the cause of ME/CFS 3 therapies derived from osteopathy, life coaching and neurolinguistic programming (for example the Lightning Process). These recommendations were the result of an extensive review of scientific evidence and hearing patients’ testimonies. NICE concluded that the PACE trial, from

which graded exercise therapy (GET) as a therapy for ME/CFS originated, was of “low” and “poor” quality. There is no good quality research evidence that patients benefit from increased activity or exercise. However, anecdotal evidence from patients conveys their deterioration experienced after participating in GET or following medical recommendations to increase activity levels. Proponents of GET have said in the UK media in the past week that there are no reported harms from ME/ CFS patients relating to graded exercise therapy. This is correct, there are no reported harms from graded exercise therapy as patients have no official mechanism in which to report harms. The Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not have a yellow card reporting system for exercise therapies. These same proponents have also stated that without GET and cognitive behavioural therapy - NICE also recommended in the draft guidelines that CBT not be used as a treatment - ME/CFS patients would have “nothing” in terms of treatments. Again correct, but patients would argue that they would rather have “nothing” than be told to exercise and risk worsening their symptom severity. This pause has simply exposed what patients, advocacy groups, charities, and Stripy Lightbulb CIC have known for years; there are no effective treatments for ME/CFS. As Prof Jonathan Edwards, Professor Emeritus, Division of Medicine, University College London, wrote in his open letter to Dr Andrew Goddard, President of the Royal College of Physicians recently in response to his comments in support of the NICE delay: “It is clear to me that current practice, however well meaning, is based only on therapeutic enthusiasm and, unfortunately, to a great degree on a paternalism that has been tolerated for too long. The patients are rightly very angry about this. The guideline produced by the committee in my view is excellent and makes all of the compromises that it can”. Occupational therapists have a key role to play in supporting patients with their energy conservation and management. Patients need to remain within their energy levels as exceeding their limits will lead to a deterioration of health.

...patients want to and are told to “push through” by medical professionals but with ME/CFS this leads to symptom exacerbation and increased fatigue or post exertional malaise

...they would rather have “nothing” than be told to exercise and risk worsening their symptom severity Chantelle Martin, Stripy Lightbulb CIC Director, gives her perspective as an OT: “As an occupational therapist working in primary care, I am saddened to see the delay to the NICE guidelines review. Through my experience of working with adults and children with ME/CFS, I have seen that what works for patients is the opposite to our traditional approach of trying to get people back to doing the things people need, want and have to do by increasing occupations of leisure and productivity. Often patients want to and are told to “push through” by medical professionals but with ME/CFS this leads to symptom exacerbation and increased fatigue or post exertional malaise. This can be from any occupation; cognitively or physically exerting. “Most medical training does not fully cover ME/ CFS and many experienced professionals of all backgrounds still do not fully appreciate that in helping we may cause harm and a deterioration of functional ability. In clinical practice, I regularly see the effects of well-meaning professionals promoting graded exercise therapy in order to re-establish fitness, routines and interests for wellbeing, but patients report worsening symptoms. “As occupational therapists, we are best placed to advise primarily in energy conservation strategies. It is important we consider post exercise malaise screening and apply caution before increasing any activities within daily routine. A young girl I worked with recently responded positively to rest and is now able to engage in meaningful functional activity. Supporting patients in rest, recognising their early indicator symptoms of their body not coping, and listening to how a patient is responding, are key until NICE release the updated guidelines.” You can find out more about the courses available from Stripy Lightbulb CIC at stripylightbulb.com

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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.

DOUBLE LAYER DRESS

This stylish dress is the perfect sophisticated item to impress at work or out with friends. Designed by with a double layer at the top it allows stomach access through a hidden zip underneath the outer layer and port access for feeding tubes are easier through a keyhole. It also includes a pocket bag across the stomach to stop stoma bags protruding. unhiddenclothing.com 2

TUMBLECARE

The entire range of TumbleCare fall prevention and detection products are now in stock at Medpage. Robust, reliable, easy to set up and use, and very affordable, the TumbleCare range now includes a heavy duty floor pressure mat, bed and chair occupancy sensors, and the new folding bed mat for single and double beds. easylinkuk.co.uk 3

TALKING POCKET CLOCK

This handy little pocket clock will announce the time and date in a clear English male voice at the touch of a button. Ideal for anyone with a visual impairment to carry around in their bag or pocket to keep track of the time independently. Users can attach the clock to a lanyard or to their keys for convenience too. shop.rnib.org.uk

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MORPHÉE SLEEP AID

For any clients who are struggling to sleep, try the Morphée Sleep Aid. It is a screen-free device that offers short guided sessions to help users change their focus from brain to body to help them drift off gently to sleep. No more lying awake at night staring at the ceiling, users can wake up refreshed and well rested. evesleep.co.uk 5

RESISTANCE BANDS

Resistance bands can be used as part of a daily workout or as part of a recovery. They are the ideal way to build up strength and mobility in any area needed. Users can stretch them with their feet, legs, arms or hands, they can be used independently or with a partner, and they can be used in the comfort of a user’s own home.

corezonesports.co.uk

TRIONIC VELOPED SPORT

This sleek Swedish walker has been designed to support its’ users in the great outdoors. It boasts pneumatic tyres, an innovative climbing wheel, a hand-operated hub brake system, a parking brake, quick release wheels, reflective markers and a useful zip bag above the front wheels. completecareshop.co.uk

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for extra wide or swollen feet RECOMMENDING COSYFEET TO YOUR PATIENTS IS EASY WITH OUR RANGE OF FREE RESOURCES FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING: Copies of our catalogue and catalogue holders Information leaflets

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Sweet Dreams

You probably tell clients frequently about the importance of sleep hygiene, but are you making sure to follow your own advice?

leep is an integral aspect of health, as many occupational therapists will be acutely aware. OTs who help clients and patients who struggle with sleep will be hyperaware of how important the concept of sleep hygiene is, and how it can form the backbone of a positive and effective bedtime routine that encourages good and healthy sleep. Sleep hygiene is one of the tools in an OT’s arsenal that, much like mindfulness and others, can be transformative outside of the realms of an occupational therapist’s intervention; given how busy our collective lives are, sleep seems to take a backseat in terms of its priority, and poor sleep is something that almost everyone deals with at some point in their life. Much like everyone else, OTs are brilliant at giving great advice, but the question is, are they following the advice they give to patients regarding sleep hygiene? No-one would blame them for not doing so; we live unbelievably busy lives where we are now

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permanently tethered to our work, social media, and colleagues through our smartphones and computers, and it’s been both a blessing and a boon that some of us are now able to work from home: while we used to be able to make the mental connection that leaving the office equals no longer working, many of us now live permanently inside our offices, leading to the already blurred line between work and rest becoming functionally non-existent. Not only that, but people are busy. A nebulous statement, yes, but they are: the fact that the kitchen and bathroom seem to dirty themselves the moment after you clean them and - for some reason - everyone in your house seems to constantly need to eat (what’s that all about) severs your time for resting, and tries desperately to hamper your ability to form routines. Life constantly seems to find itself getting in the way of our ability to get some good, healthy sleep. Knowing what good sleep hygiene entails is half the battle, but how do we action it?

TRY TO WIND DOWN There are things in our lives we can control, and things we cannot. Sometimes, we’re not going to have time for a relaxation CD before bed, and despite wanting to, we can’t take a bath because the landlord won’t pay to install one. Sometimes, we’re going to be thrown for a loop by something happening before bedtime that messes with the whole “wind down time” vibe, but rolling with the punches is critical to sleep success. Maybe you can’t take a bath, but you can meditate in your armchair for five minutes. You might not have space to do a full yoga routine, but can you do some standing stretches before bed? Anything that helps you wind down is a positive step towards good sleep hygiene. Some people find making lists a good way to relax and mentally prepare for tomorrow, but for others, list making is a form of mental torture. Finding out what works for you is key to the wind down process.

AXE THE SCREEN TIME We all love playing Candy Crush, but try and keep it to the sofa rather than the bed. Our electronic devices phones, televisions, laptops and the like - emit blue light, and studies have shown that this contributes to poor sleep as it encourages the body to produce melatonin, a hormone which according to Harvard Medical Publishing, suppresses the circadian rhythm; in other words, playing about on your phone at night might be contributing to your inability to get a good night’s sleep. Try and keep electronics out of the bedroom; that’s easier said than done when our lives are on our phones, but if you have to keep them in your room, try not to have them beside you where you might be tempted to play about with them. Alternatively, you can install apps like f.lux on your computer, or use the Night Shift setting on your phone to warm up the displays on your electronics, which may help reduce your exposure to blue light.

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Blackout blinds or curtains are a brilliant way of making your room nice and dark all year round

MAKE A SLEEPFRIENDLY ZONE Your bedroom should be a calming, relaxing oasis in your home. There are lots of things you can do in your room to make sure it’s a prime environment for getting your eight hours of sleep per night. Blackout blinds or curtains are a brilliant way of making your room nice and dark all year round, and can prevent you from naturally waking up at times in the year where it’s excessively bright. It’s also important to only use your bed for sleep and sex: if you have the space, then it should be kept as a space where all you do is lie on your back (in one way or another), not watch TV or work.

CAN’T SLEEP? DON’T SLEEP There is truly nothing more awful than tossing and turning in bed; lying awake, staring at the ceiling, just wanting to get to sleep. To help maintain a healthy mental connection between you and bed, if you can’t sleep, get out of the bed. Go and do something else, like reading or relaxing, before getting back into bed and trying again. You can’t force yourself to get to sleep, so don’t punish yourself by lying and watching the clock if you can’t.

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 • Very little training required to use it • A slimline version of the Camel, the Eagle has an in-built backrest to give extra support • Portable – able to use inside or outdoors • Protects carers from injury when lifting

For more information or to book a demonstration please email sales@mangarhealth.com or call 0800 2800 485.

National Helpline 0800 917 7650 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Alcoholics Anonymous has over 4,440 groups throughout Great Britain dedicated to helping those with a serious alcohol problem learn how to stay sober. Groups are made up of people from all walks of life and all age groups. Through friendship and mutual support, members assist each other in coping which is made easier by meeting others with the same problem. There are no dues or fees for membership and anonymity is carefully preserved. Anyone who believes they have a drink problem can contact Alcoholics Anonymous by using the helpline number above or email; help@aamail.org Further information may be obtained from the web-site above or from the General Service Office at the address below. For information: P.O. Box 1, 10 Toft Green, York. YO1 7NJ Tel: 01904 644 026

The

Right Stuff

As we age, we may become more predisposed to vitamin deficiency due to health, lifestyle and dietary changes. Which are the most common deficiencies that we should be aware of?

s we age, our bodies change: not a revolutionary statement, but one that comes with all sorts of caveats and additional stresses that we often don’t consider. For example, as we get older, we age into a number of factors that can contribute to dietary deficiencies, which is both an unintentional and potentially dangerous aspect of getting older. As we age, we tend to eat fewer calories thanks to a decrease in appetite and lower activity levels. This can mean that we also develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies which can have negative consequences that affect our wider health and lifestyle. The factors that cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies in older people differ from person to person, but the most common causes are: physiological changes (like forgetfulness or loss of appetite), medications that affect nutritional uptake, financial factors, and eating a poorlyrounded diet. What are the most common natural deficiencies in older adults; how can these deficiencies affect wider health, and how can we ensure that older adults - especially those who require assistance at mealtime - are getting the nutrition they need through their diets?

CALCIUM While children who do not take in enough calcium through their diets are at risk of not reaching their potential maximum growth height, in older adults, a lack of calcium can, over prolonged periods of time, result in the development of osteoporosis, osteopenia, or hypocalcemia. While we often preach that calcium is vital for strong bones and teeth, it’s also a vital mineral in regulating muscle contractions - including the heartbeat, and helps blood clot properly. Our bodies do not naturally produce calcium, so it must be accrued in the body through our diets, but a multitude of factors can affect how well calcium is absorbed into our bodies. Women are especially susceptible to calcium deficiencies due to hormonal changes, most notably during the menopause, but some medications

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can also affect our ability to uptake calcium. Like many other minerals and vitamins, calcium uptake is affected by the presence of other vitamins in the body - namely the presence of vitamin D, so under the guidance of a medical professional, it may be important to regulate both. Calcium can be introduced to the body through supplements, or through food groups like dairy, which are rich in calcium.

VITAMIN D As previously mentioned, vitamin D works in tandem with calcium and phosphates in the body, which are vital for regulating muscle contractions. Unlike calcium, our bodies are able to create vitamin D on their own; however, we need sunlight on our skin to do so. Older people who find themselves less able to freely move around may struggle to spend time outside, which can affect their ability to produce vitamin D. For this reason, medical guidance may suggest the use of supplements or recommend that older people are taken out for between ten and 15 minutes every day, but never without sunscreen. Vitamin D is also present in a small number of foods, including fortified breakfast cereals, eggs, and oily fish.

B VITAMINS There are several different types of vitamin B, each of which have their own functions and uses within the body. As we age, the body finds it more difficult to absorb vitamin B12 and sometimes B6, both of which support the body in the absorption of protein, and with cognitive function. Usually, people who eat a well-balanced diet that is rich in cereals and wholegrains will not find getting their recommended daily dose of B vitamins difficult, but this may be a struggle for those who live with gluten intolerances or dietary requirements. Vitamin B can be supplemented, or can be found in meat, cod, salmon, milk, cheese, eggs, and some fortified cereals.

VITAMIN C Many people are familiar with the term limey, which came from sailors being given citrus fruits to prevent them from developing scurvy; the illness, which is now rare, was caused by a lack of vitamin C in sailors’ diets. Vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid, is vital in the body to help wounds heal, maintain healthy skin, bones, and blood vessels, and to protect cells. People who manage to eat their five portions of fruit and veg every day should not find it difficult to get an appropriate amount of vitamin C through their diet. Vitamin C can be found, of course, in citrus fruits, strawberries, mangoes, and bell peppers.

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Stellar Work A teenager from Cork has developed an award-winning app to help deliver occupational therapy services - how can app development assist OTs in the field?

here are thousands of children in Ireland waiting on their first occupational therapy assessment.

It’s estimated that around 30,000 children in Ireland are currently waiting to be assessed by an occupational therapist; it’s important to note that this problem has been greatly exacerbated by the global pandemic, which has caused wait times for thousands of health services to sky rocket, leaving medical professionals, clients and patients in the lurch as valiant attempts are being made to bring services back on track. In County Cork, 13-year-old Saanvi Kaushik saw her paediatric occupational therapist mum, Sarika, work hard during lockdown to deliver care to her clients, but struggling due to the limitations placed on her because of the pandemic. Around the same time, Saanvi’s science teacher contacted her with information about a 12-week programme from the education non-profit Technovation, which aimed to encourage girls to take an interest in technology and problem solving. In the course, she was taught to code apps - that is, to use technology to produce applications for phones - and using her new-found knowledge, she sought to produce an app that might make her mum’s life a little bit easier. The outcome was the creation of Stellar, which is currently in the prototype stages, but Saanvi hopes to launch it soon. The app allows occupational therapists to create profiles, maintain records, offer private remote sessions, and even provide resources to parents while they wait for their children to attend an occupational therapy assessment. She still has a few things to do before people can use it, like make sure it’s GDPR and HIPAA compliant before it’s released to the public, and add in a few features like push notifications.

The app allows occupational therapists to create profiles, maintain records, offer private remote sessions, and even provide resources to parents while they wait for their children to attend an occupational therapy assessment

“There are currently 30,000 children waiting for occupational therapy in Ireland and these waiting times are only getting worse due to COVID-19.

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As the lists get longer more children are suffering. I thought there must be a way to use technology to tackle this,” Saanvi said. “I hope that Stellar will support families by providing high-quality content developed by experienced occupational therapists and allowing them to search for these services in their localities. Every child, no matter where they live, should have access to the highest quality services.” Saanvi went on to be selected as one of six finalists in the Technovation competition, which saw her beat out almost 6000 other young women from across the world who were developing the some 1700 apps entered into the competition. She said: “I am so happy to have received this award. I believed that Stellar was a good idea and I think that the app I have developed could really make a difference for many children and their families.”

...I think that the app I have developed could really make a difference for many children and their families

A GAP IN THE MARKET There’s nothing worse than wanting something that doesn’t exist. Hunting high and low for a thing you know will solve your problems, only to find that, actually, there’s no such thing, and you’ve got to go on without it. At The OT Magazine, we frequently mention apps and technology that have been created to help OTs, but you might still be wondering, “where is the tech that does what I need?” If that’s the case, why not be like Saanvi and get coding? Coding sounds difficult, but it’s an absolutely invaluable skill in a digital information society that can help you in many other facets of your life outside of making groundbreaking phone apps. Best of all - you can learn for free. Even if you don’t know your HTML from your Javascript, there will be a class for you that can teach everything from the basics to expert tricks, and everything in between. If the idea of revolutionising occupational therapy using tech created by OTs for OTs is something you like, but you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! There are hundreds (probably thousands, too many to count) of resources online to help you. Codeacademy and Khan Academy are absolutely fantastic tools for anyone who feels like coding may not be a skill for their wheelhouse, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple and fun both of these (free!) websites make learning a brand new skill. Don’t just dream about it, make your ideas happen. Visit codeacademy.com or khanacademy.org to get started on your coding adventure.

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MANAGING

ADHD ADHD is a much maligned condition that tends to be simplified by the public at large, but the intervention of an OT can be a positive and helpful presence in the lives of clients living with ADHD

ttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a much villainised neurodevelopment disorder, maligned by some as a zhuzhed-up, modern way of saying “this child simply will not sit still or pay attention”. People who live with ADHD may indeed have difficulties focusing on tasks, be more active, or struggle with impulsivity. The DSM-5 sub-categorises ADHD into three separate presentations, which may require different interventions to assist in the maintenance of independence, where the client requires the presence of six or more of the listed symptoms (or five in adults), unless the symptom can be better explained by another condition. Inattentive ADHD is what would be stereotyped as a child who finds it “hard to focus” and is characterised by distraction and struggles with organisation; people who live with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD exhibit restlessness and high amounts of energy. Combined ADHD is a combination of both of the aforementioned presentations. The intervention of an occupational therapist can be greatly helpful to people who live with ADHD as it can focus on a number of areas which are traditionally considered areas of difficulty, such as organisational and physical deficits. This, in turn, can allow clients to lead more fulfilling lives with high levels of independence. It is important to note that a diagnosis of ADHD has no age limit, and both children and adults can benefit from the intervention of an occupational therapist to improve skills that are affected by their ADHD. Where adult and younger clients differ, however, is how used they are to the symptoms of their ADHD in their lives; they may have a limited awareness of how ADHD affects their dayto-day lives, as, simply put, it has never occurred to them that it had anything to do with living with ADHD. When working with an adult client, there are aspects that it may be more beneficial to focus in on, such as strain on organisational skills, adapting physical or social environments to enable total participation, the promotion of social awareness strategies, and the teaching of self-management strategies - for example, sensory regulation techniques or creating adaptions to routines. While interventions with younger people may 48

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take a focus on how living with ADHD can affect their participation in education - for example, if the child talks excessively, is found to regularly interrupt their teachers, or has problems with knowledge retention due to a number of issues including overstimulus or memory issues. In adults, (or indeed, for girls, who face a similar challenge as with autism in gaining appropriate diagnoses due to the socialisation of young girls) it may be the case that some of these aspects of living with ADHD have been “socialised out” of them, meaning that while the symptoms may have been present at one point in their lives, the pressures of social stigma have forced them to hide the behaviours. ADHD can affect an individual’s activities of daily living by impacting timekeeping and organisation; people who live with ADHD may frequently find themselves late for work or social situations - again, in children, a degree of the focus on this aspect of improving ADLs will be on how this interacts with their education, such as completing homework tasks and being better able to prepare themselves for a day at school. Regardless of age group, interventions focusing on establishing behavioural changes relating to organisation through repeated behaviours may help with the creation of regular routines, which, in turn, will create structure and help to curb disorganisation. Further regarding timekeeping, promoting a better understanding of when the client can be flexible in their time management is key to maintaining good timekeeping. The promotion over planning activities versus reactive decisions, where in the former, time is allotted to activities and distractions do not impact timekeeping, is important to establishing better time management and allowing for more control over the client’s lives. Additionally, the use of technology can be encouraged to assist with this, such as the use of alarms or timers on smart devices to ensure schedules are stuck to, and routines can be better established. As with any other condition which affects independence and the ability to carry out activities of daily living, the intervention of an occupational therapist can make great strides in improving their clients’ quality of life.

People who live with ADHD may indeed have difficulties focusing on tasks, be more active, or struggle with impulsivity

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Paediatrics All the latest from the world of paediatrics

SECTION Summer passed quickly, didn’t it? It feels like we’ve all blinked and missed it, and in no time at all it will be the season of chunky knits and pumpkin spice lattes. Not that it’s a bad thing - who can say no to a PSL, really? But as we move into the shorter days and the cold creeps back into our lives, the spectre of COVID-19 still hangs over us, in a grim reminder of the darkness that has clung on to our lives for well over a year now - almost two years. With that in mind, on page 52, we explore how young people may be

affected by long COVID, a condition where some people find themselves dealing with some of the symptoms of COVID-19, including fatigue and ageusia, long after they become COVID negative.

We have the latest in paediatric products on page 55, and see how Fidgetbum benefited three children in the same family on page 59. If there’s anything you’d like to see included in our Paediatrics Section, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

Read on to find out more...

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Long COVID in Kids Long COVID or post-COVID syndrome, are the terms being used to describe the lasting effects of COVID experienced over 12 weeks, and it is now being recognised far more prevalently in children. We explore how OTs can support young people in their recovery

n June this year, it was announced that long COVID clinics for children and young people were to be set up in England to support children and families who are experiencing the long-term effects of COVID. It has been generally regarded that children do not experience COVID symptoms as severely as adults, however, research is showing that long-term symptoms are manifesting in many young people. The Office of National Statistics has shown that 7.4% of children aged 2-11 and 8.2% of those aged 12-16 have reported continued symptoms, so the investment of £100 million into COVID clinics for both adults and children is a very welcome move. These clinics are bringing together expert clinical teams that include paediatricians, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. These teams are offering specialist advice and support to those in need and this multidisciplinary way of working is very much needed in these times of great uncertainty. Uncertainty is one of the most concerning aspects of living with long-COVID, especially in children and young people. This disease is new, we do not have in-depth research into the long-term effects or the recovery time, or even a published definitive list of all of the symptoms that children are experiencing. Long COVID Kids is an organisation that has been set up to advocate for children living with long COVID. They have conducted surveys to gather a comprehensive 52

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7.4% of children aged 2-11 and 8.2% of those aged 12-16 have reported continued symptoms

list of the symptoms that children are experiencing and that list is extensive. The top ten most commonly stated symptoms are as follows: Gastrointestinal issues Chest Pain Headaches Fatigue Joint/muscle pain and weakness Sore throat Dizziness Rashes Mood changes Nausea This is just a glimpse of the symptoms that are currently being experienced by young people, with others including breathing problems, swollen lymph nodes, cognitive difficulties, loss of appetite, neck pain, vision problems and many more.

The wide and varying nature of long COVID is complex and it is affecting the lives of children and young people in a multitude of ways. Daily routines have been disrupted, fatigue is affecting school work and attendance, socialising with friends has been minimised and actively participating in out of school activities and sports has been put on hold for many. For young people across the globe, the disruption to their lives and the challenges they are experiencing as they live with long COVID, is also having a negative effect on their mental and emotional wellbeing. Depression and anxiety have been reported by many young people as they continue to live with an unknown disease that has an unknown recovery period, and varies from person to person.

HOW CAN OTS HELP? OTs are perfectly placed to support young people and children to navigate their way through this complex diagnosis. Equipping children with the tools to manage their symptoms and build their own mental resilience and strength is vitally important to helping them make it through this period of illness and uncertainty. Occupational therapy can play an important role in ensuring young people manage their symptoms by offering advice and information on a variety of techniques and exercises that can minimise the effect of the symptoms they are living with. Using the 3 Ps principle: pace, plan and prioritise, you can arm young people with the knowledge and techniques of how to tackle each day without over doing it. Teaching them to break down tasks to manageable sections, to space out activities throughout the day and to understand the importance of rest to recharge their energy, will help in ensuring they do not overdo it and are rested well to tackle the next day.

Depression and anxiety have been reported by many young people as they continue to live with an unknown disease that has an unknown recovery period

Adaptive equipment may be required to assist in achieving activities of daily living. This can reduce exertion, stress and help conserve energy levels for longer. Conducting a thorough assessment to recognise where a patient could benefit from assistance, whether that be a mobility aid for walking support, a sock aid, or a kettle tipper to help avoid heavy lifting when making a cup of tea, could make all the difference. Breathing techniques can not only help those experiencing shortness of breath, but they can have a great impact on those living with anxiety. In this respect, mindfulness techniques can also be very effective in helping young people and children to centre themselves, to calm their minds and reduce any feelings of being overwhelmed. As we continue to learn about the effects of this disease, and the length of the recovery period, occupational therapists will be vital in ensuring young people and children are supported until they return to their former healthy selves.

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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 younger clients

Kids

STANDZ 2

The new Standz 2 has been scaled up from Jenx’s original Standz product. The new version will accommodate children who are older, taller, heavier and stronger to stand. It offers all the versatility of the original product and allows more children to benefit from the act of standing, as it improves blood circulation and pressure, digestion, and bone and muscle development.

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PARAVAN PR35S

The smallest standing powerchair available in the UK, the PR35S has a chassis width of 57cm and maximum user weight of 80kg making it a fantastic powerchair for children and smaller people. Powered features include lying, seat lift, tilt-in-space with anterior tilt, recline backrest and elevating leg rests. precisionrehab.co.uk 3

SOFT GRIP CHILDREN’S PLATE

These Fairy Story soft grip plates and bowls make dining easier for children with grip and motor skill issues. Two soft pads on either side of the plate make it easier to hold and it has a ring on the bottom to ensure it remains in place on the table when eating. essentialaids.com

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IN GROUND REBOUND THERAPY TRAMPOLINES

Sunken trampolines produce the only UK-made in ground Rebound Therapy trampoline. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, it can be made to a size that suits your client as well as be made in a range of colours. sunkentrampolines.co.uk 07765 256537

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LET’S LEARN SHAPE PATTERNS

This set is designed to help younger patients in the recognition of shapes from a young age. The selection of coloured wooden blocks allows children to explore and understand the sides and vertices of shapes and uses their fine motor skills and problem-solving skills to complete patterns. jaqueslondon.co.uk 6

SAND BUILDERS KIT

Kids love going to the beach and they love building sand castles, and this kit is designed to help them develop their concentration, focus and patience; as well as allowing them to build mammoth sand castles. Kids will love the building tools included in this kit and it will help expand their imagination, develop fine motor skills, and it’s really fun. sandpal.com

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CLUB SPORT WHEELCHAIR

A multi-sport wheelchair that allows young people to participate in a variety of different sports. This is the ideal chair for trying out different sports, from wheelchair basketball and rugby to wheelchair tennis. The range of sizes and adjustments available means it can cater for many different body shapes and sizes and it allows young people to try out as many sports as they want.

rgkwheelchairs.com 8

YOTO PLAYER

This kids player is a carefully connected, screen-free speaker that only plays the audio you want kids to listen to. Using physical cards you can insert a range of different books to be read aloud through the speaker, you can also connect to a kids radio and set bedtime and morning alarms. Unlike many of today’s audio devices the Yoto player does not have a camera or microphone, reducing any parental worries further. uk.yotoplay.com

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A TRIPLE SUCCESS Fidgetbum is helping more and more people with various sleep issues, but it is not very often that three children from the same family all benefit

oanne Edwards is a single mum to triplets who all have additional needs including sensory difficulties, ASD, ADHD, development delay excimer and anxiety, all of which have one common side effect: difficulty sleeping. It was while looking at various Facebook groups for children with sleep issues that Joanne first heard about Fidgetbum, the non-medicinal sleep aid created by Melanie Wood, as she explains: “I had tried various options, such as weighted blankets, but the children all move so much that they were continually falling off. I also tried body socks, duvets, sleeping bags, bed tents, music, soft lighting and a night time routine, but nothing seemed to work and after three years I was getting desperate”. Joanne spoke to Mel to explain her situation and the sleep problems her triplets were having and decided to give Fidgetbum a go. “Mel seemed lovely and I could not imagine her selling anything that wasn’t high quality so I placed an order – little did I know how life changing it would be. The first time we used the Fidgetbum and I saw how comforted my children were I almost burst in to tears, it has really improved their sleep and reduced their anxiety levels dramatically. I have lost count of the number of people I have already recommended Fidgetbum to and I will continue to do so. I am eternally grateful to Mel for coming up with what I can only describe as a total game changer!”

and sleep through the night, Mel received incredible feedback from parents of children with additional sensory needs as sleep disturbances are often a major issue for children with autism and this can really take its toll on their families. Fidgetbum is now used by people of all ages with a huge cross section of conditions, ranging from cerebral palsy and autism to restless leg syndrome and anxiety. There are five sizes of Fidgetbum available: single bed, single bed extra-long, toddler bed, double bed extra-long and king size bed extra-long. There is also a bespoke service for specialist beds. For more information on the full range of products available call 020 3714 4497, email mel@fidgetbum.co or visit fidgetbum.com. You can also follow on Twitter @fidgetbumsleep.

Joanne’s three children now go to sleep easily, stay asleep longer and if they wake up, they settle themselves back to sleep by themselves which was never the case previously. This means Joanne can also get a good night’s sleep herself, which means the whole family wakes up feeling refreshed. Fidgetbum is a soothing, non-medicinal sleep aid. A stretchy wrap-around device that snugly holds the covers in place, without restricting the person in bed, it also provides a sense of security that sleep experts have likened to a warm hug. Whilst it was initially invented to help Mel’s toddler daughter transition into a bed

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What you can expect at Naidex 2021 N

aidex showcases a wide range of solutions catering for an even wider range of needs, the latest innovations and technologies, and takes a look at the future of digital and physical accessibility. The event features over 200 world class suppliers, a host of interactive features and 100+ CPD-certified expert seminars and demonstrations. What’s more, the event is 100% free to attend!

WHAT WILL YOU SEE AT NAIDEX 2021? MOVING & HANDLING LAB At Naidex there is a great focus placed on providing visitors with a world class CPD-certified educational programme. Front and centre of that programme is the Moving & Handling Lab. One of Naidex’s more prominent features, this dedicated theatre provides OTs and other healthcare professionals with interactive CPDaccredited demonstrations. Attendees should expect to learn crucial skills and the latest progressive techniques needed to safely support those with disabilities. Industry professionals with years of combined knowledge will provide expert training sessions in fields such as hoisting, manual handling, rehabilitation and more. Learn from experienced practitioners on how to effectively move and handle patients whilst providing the utmost comfort and dignity. What’s more, RCOT chief executive Steve Ford has joined the Moving & handling Lab’s diverse speaker list. Knowing the role OTs play and the impact they have on people’s lives, Steve works towards raising the profile of the profession to ensure OTs play a pivotal role in future health care models. 60

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THE ACCESSIBILITY SUMMIT An exploration of the digital and physical accessibility environment, the Accessibility Summit features revolutionary seminars from industry experts and pioneering suppliers who put accessibility and inclusion at the heart of everything they do. Examining the latest technologies, ideas and adaptations created to enhance ease and independence, visitors should expect to learn how to implement these technologies into future care models to enhance patient care.

CPD ACCREDITATION Offering a conference level seminar programme, professionals can earn up to seven CPD points per day. With eight live theatres and countless demonstrations and interactive features, there is a wide range of educational opportunities to choose from. Naidex presents the opportunity for professionals to keep up-to-date with the latest practices and ideas whilst boosting their careers and enhancing job performance. Afterwards, visitors will receive an email to confirm their attendance and claim their CPD points. It’s that easy and the best bit? It’s 100% free! From industry leading seminars and interactive workshops to product demonstrations and more, join us this year on the 15 - 16 September and discover everything Naidex has to offer. Register now at naidex.co.uk.

15-16 September 2021 | NEC Birmingham |

Learn progressive techniques and expertise through interactive, CPD accredited demonstrations.

Earn CPD points! Don't miss out.

Online OT Communities Have you discovered the vast opportunities for networking and learning online for occupational therapists?

here are an increasing number of opportunities and communities cropping up online for occupational therapists to get involved in. The incredible reach that platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and even TikTok offer OTs is nothing short of amazing. These platforms have allowed communities to form and like-minded individuals to connect, share knowledge, explore interventions and learn from peers. Joining online communities or taking part in online discussions can not only improve your knowledge base and extend your learning, but it can also bolster your professional confidence and make you feel like part of a wider team. The ability to connect with OTs from across the globe offers you an opportunity to learn about how OT is implemented in other countries, how cultural differences impact on the delivery of OT and to learn more about the role of OT in underdeveloped countries. Twitter chats allow you to participate in specific conversations, these may be OT related or led by another profession, and they are a great way of sharing your views and listening to others, they also promote a multi-disciplinary approach when a mix of AHPs converse. The beauty of participating online is that it can also be used towards your CPD portfolio, so make sure you keep track of everything and reflect on your learning from any online participation. If you are looking for something to get involved in online, take a look at a few ideas we have put together for you.

AHPS’ DAY

Taking place on 14 October, AHPs’ Day exists to celebrate the incredible impact of the professions of the AHP family. Launched in 2018 by Rachael Brandreth, a dietitian and Carrie Biddle, a speech and language therapist, support for this day has grown each year. It allows AHPs from each of the 14 sectors to shout about their work, their successes and the impact the delivery of high-quality care makes to the patients they work with. To get involved this year simply jump onto Twitter and send a message to your fellow AHPs to celebrate their contributions and give your profession a big shout out using the hashtag #AHPDay2021. 62

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...give your profession a big shout out using the hashtag #AHPDay2021

WECOMMUNITIES

WeCommunities encompasses a whole host of allied health professions and supports conversations and connections throughout the communities. Twitter accounts have been created by relevant healthcare professionals to open discussions within their own communities, for example, @WeNurses, @WeAHPs and @WeMidwives, to name a few. Although these accounts are specifically tailored towards their own profession they all encourage involvement from other professions in their regular Twitter chats. You can check out the chat calendar on the website at wecommunities.org. The other resources on the WeCommunities website are great for supporting new participants to the Twitter family. If you are an OT that has not entered the world of Twitter yet, it will most likely feel quite overwhelming. WeCommunities offer an excellent guide to opening a Twitter account, creating a professional profile and learning what Twitter is all about. The adorably named Twitterversity will walk you through a step by step guide of how to use Twitter, it is a five-day course that only asks for 15 minutes of your time each day, and at the end you will be a fully-fledged tweeter.

...Twitterversity will walk you through a step by step guide of how to use Twitter

You can also sign up to MyWe, a great solution that allows you to find peers, earn badges and use Twitter chats for CPD by enabling you to download PDFs for your portfolio.

THE OT HUB

This global occupational therapy community has been created to empower clinicians, students, patients and clients. Created by occupational therapists, the platform allows OTs to openly share knowledge and resources, to reach OTs across the globe and to increase awareness of the profession. By signing up to become a member you can access a whole host of free resources, from OT articles, to an OT member forum, you can also choose to upgrade to a Member Plus account that only costs £3 per month or £30 for the year, to get access to an extended information hub that includes, OT videos, podcasts, case studies, webinars and downloads. Visit theothub.com for more information.

OTALK The weekly chat hosted on Twitter by occupational therapists is a firm favourite amongst the OT Twitter community. Every week explores a new topic that gets occupational therapists discussing interventions, outcomes, challenges and more. Guest hosts are invited to start a discussion that they are passionate and knowledgeable about and everyone is invited to take part in the conversation. Questions are encouraged and thought-provoking discussions are always on the cards. If you are new to Twitter or just learning the inner workings of tweet chats, we would definitely recommend heading over there on a Tuesday night to experience everything they have to offer. Follow @OTalk and join in the conversation with #OTalk.

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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

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