The Role of an Occupational Therapist within the Live-In Home Care Sector

In light of World Occupational Therapy day, we thought it would be good to hear from our own in-house Occupational Therapist (OT), Jackie Cooper, and the positive changes her expertise have brought to our clients and carers.

Jackie started her career in the early 1980’s working in a variety of roles, choosing to specialise in older people’s rehabilitation, developing her clinical skills in physical and mental health. Jackie joined The Good Care Group in 2017 with a view to exploring the value an OT would bring to their clients and carers. Jackie’s knowledge of  complex moving and handling including equipment, the challenges of living with dementia and clients who were at high risk of falls has proved to be invaluable.

Jackie also implemented additional falls management and positive risk taking for clients with Parkinson;   training for the care teams, updated risk management and strategies for safe moving and handling, the launch of a new advanced dementia care course and the development of a specialist stroke service. This has resulted in a 76% reduction in the risk of falling and an 89% reduction in pressure sore rates

“The OT is very well regarded by our clients as evidenced through feedback gathered at client focus groups and our client survey. The OT was described as providing excellent back up to clients when their needs change. She has applied her expertise to successfully support clients to reduce moving and handling support from two carers to one, thus reducing both cost and associated anxieties for the client. The OT was highly praised at client focus groups for her professionalism and clients expressed that they valued her input highly.” – Emma Sadler, Head of Quality Assurance

Jackie has gained great satisfaction in this role and sees many opportunities to develop it further within live-in care