RESTRICTED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY RESOURCES IN REABLEMENT

Background: Growing number of elderly is challenging health and social care services. While the population is aging there is increasing need to develop out-of-hospital rehabilitation to prolong living at home.... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Growing number of elderly is challenging health and social care services. While the population is aging there is increasing need to develop out-of-hospital rehabilitation to prolong living at home. Multidisciplinary teamwork at home is efficient way to increase participation on real life activities at home. Home and surrounding environment support the training of those skills which may have been lost because of deterioration of wellbeing and health. Integration between relearning skills and real life is possible in the natural environment.

Intervention:
Reablement is based on multidisciplinary work. There is lack of occupational therapy resources in area which influences how the new model of reablement is done. Occupational therapist’s role is to coordinate, assess and guide in multidisciplinary work. Model of reablement is unique for this area because of resources. It shows that it is possible to get occupational therapy knowledge in team even when there is less of occupational therapists than other professionals working in elderly homecare.

Application to practice:
By developing multidisciplinary approach in home-based rehabilitation discharging from hospital has become efficient and need for special services has decreased. Reablement gives time to evaluate need for assistance and support instead of quick decisions. Working in teams combines different kind of occupational aspects. Result is client-centered intervention strengthening participating, being and doing. Lack of occupational therapy vacancies doesn’t make this impossible, just challenge organisations to re-think how to use those minor resources and force to focus in core of occupational therapy instead of therapist being active in rehabilitation process.