‘Pocket Ideas…for a moment in time’ a person centred approach in Acute Care

Pocket Ideas, what is it?

So if a person with dementia or carer wanted to know what to expect when being introduced to “pocket ideas” what would I say?

‘Pocket Ideas’ is a portable pocket sized book filled with prepared activities and inspirational quotes to help stimulate conversation. These conversations can take place whilst working with a patient in the ward, as the book is very portable, or in a group situation.

It’s an opportunity for us all to remember to see the person who has had many life experiences, skills and knowledge. It helps to build therapeutic relationships, reduce distress, reinforce the benefits of meaningful activity and person centred care. It’s a tool that anyone can use and anywhere, reminding us that every moment we have to offer older people in meaningful experiences is valuable, and essential in our professional practice. Enjoy the experience using it and the opportunity to reminisce, remember and even talk about new topics.

I would also tell them that this initiative won an award last year, in the category of “Best Acute Initiative” of Scotlands Dementia Awards 2014.

5 Top Tips using ‘Pocket Ideas’

1. Only takes 5 minutes to have a moment in time with an individual, and it reinforces the importance of meaningful activity.
2. Simple prepared activities and inspirational pictures to stimulate a conversation.
3. Encourages positive therapeutic relationships and reinforces the importance of humanity, compassion, person centred care and being actively engaged.
4. Portable pocket sized tool and can be used anywhere by anyone.
5. Enjoy using it, as a moment in time can bring back a memory, reduce stress, provide comfort and make you smile.

5 things you need to know when designing a resource like this

1. Understand what the problem is and creative ways to address it.
2. Importance of engaging relevant staff members to support project ideas.
3. Establish a working group to talk about ideas, set achievable goals and support each other to realise a possibility and make a difference.
4. Create a prototype using creative ideas.
5. Develop a means to measure the benefits of using the prototype and then pilot the project idea in the relevant area.

My top recommendation to make something happen, surround yourself with a great team.

Our team picture includes; left to right Jean Knox, (Technical instructor), Gillian Agnew (Occupational therapists), me in the middle, Elaine Tizzard (Technical instructor) and Darrell Line (Technical instructor).

I would welcome any reflections on my blog post

I would also like to leave you with a question to consider and reflect on

How can we ensure, if you are living with dementia and require to go into an acute care setting that every contact with a health care professional is person centred and we ask you “what is important to you”

Andrea Boyd

Occupational Therapist, NHS Ayrshire and Arran

@AndreaBoydahpmh

I am currently on secondment and leading up the project ‘Pocket Ideas…for a moment in time’. I have been an Occupational Therapist for many years, but this is such an exciting opportunity to continue with the development of our person centred tool with the support of my ‘Activity Team’.

 

Everyone’s a Winner

Scotland’s Dementia Awards

On Thursday 25^th September 2015, in celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day, six winners of Scotland Dementia Awards were announced.  The Awards are a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council. They provide an opportunity for professionals and communities, who are committed to enhancing the health, well being and experience of people with dementia and their families, to have their work recognised and promoted.  The award scheme helps showcase the creativity, innovation and dedication that make a real difference to the daily lives of people with dementia and their families. It aims to demonstrate clearly how, across Scotland, policy is being sustainably put into best shared practice. All the work of the six winners can be viewed following this link.

Celebrating Allied Health Professional

This blog is celebrating and sharing that out of the six winners two were led by allied health professionals in the categories of Best Community Initiative and Best Acute Care Initiative

Best Community Initiative

Occupational Therapy Home Based Memory Rehabilitation Programme, NHS Dumfries & Galloway

The Home Based Memory Rehabilitation Programme (HBMR) is an evidence-based occupational therapy, early intervention programme for people with dementia.  The aim of this programme is to help people with dementia to compensate for memory difficulties that affect their everyday function, resulting in reduced demands on caregivers/family/friends. Based on the work of Mary McGrath (McGrath & Passmore, 2009), this 4-6 week individualised programme has been tailored and piloted in NHS Dumfries & Galloway.  Positive findings include an increase in number of memory strategies used and a decrease in number of memory problems reported.  Overall, participants have reported feelings of increased control. The work is captured in this two minute clip.

“I felt hopeful, the way she talked and explained things, I thought that if I can do this programme then I’m doing alright”

To find out more contact Emma Coutts (second from the left), Occupational Therapist. Tel: 07825401333 Email: emma.coutts@nhs.net

 

Best Acute Care Initiative

“Pocket Ideas….for a moment in time”, NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Pocket Ideas…for a moment in time is a project that was initiated in a rehabilitation ward for older people.  Staff recognised a lack of stimulation and created an activity team which then proposed the idea of a “Pocket Ideas” toolkit.  The pocket-sized book is a portable, easy-to-use toolkit which prompts discussion and encourages activity through a selection of quick activities, conversation starters, pictures, inspirational quotes and games.  It takes no extra time for staff to use the toolkit and it has promoted increased self-esteem, reduced risk of low mood and has empowered people with dementia to achieve their own personalised goals. The work is captured in this two minute clip

“We talked, laughed and remembered things”

To find out more contact: Andrea Boyd, occupational therapist, Tel:  01294 323041 email: Andrea.Boyd2@aapct.scot.nhs.uk twitter : @AndreaBoydahpmh

..and the winners are:

We would like to leave you with two things to comment on in this blog or reflect on:

• How can we share AHP evidence based “award winning” practice enabling more people living with dementia to have access to these programmes of work?
• What other work is there that could be award winning?

To find out more about Scotlands dementia awards email ScotlandsDementiaAwards@alzscot.org

Allied Health Professionals Dementia Champions: Agents of Change

In this week’s blog we are delighted to share with you, during World Alzheimer’s Month, the first in a series of three reports sharing examples of the innovative work that allied health professionals are doing in Scotland to support people with dementia, their partners, carers and families.

 

You can source a copy on our community of practice by following this link. The second publication will be shared on the 22^nd September, the day after Worlds Alzheimer Day, and is called “Allied Health Professionals Delivering Post- Diagnostic Support: Living Well with Dementia.

Our photo gallery captures some our key partners who have supported this publication.

We would love to hear your comments on the first publications and our photo gallery. 

 Enjoy