The Beaumont Lodge Occupational Therapy team of senior and staff grade therapists are supported by a Clinical Manager Occupational Therapist. Our Occupational Therapists screen all new admissions for Occupational Therapy needs to determine the level of intervention required and the onward discharge planning requirements.

Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Full baseline Occupational Therapy Assessment for those identified through the screening process
• SMART goal setting
• Functional assessment such as washing and dressing assessment and kitchen assessment. These functional activities can be used as modes for therapeutic intervention
• Use of group work as a therapeutic intervention
• Functional mobility and transfer assessment and practice
• Specialist seating assessment and progression of wheelchair transfer and self-propulsion. There is a selection of seating on site for assessment and trial purposes
• Use of outcome measure to identify progress in functional status as well as information gathering / social history relating to patient’s pre-morbid function, routine and interests.
• Assessment of cognition. The Occupational Therapists are certified in the use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOCTA-G) is on order
• Involvement in discharge planning which includes home environment assessment of equipment and social care needs and completion home discharge visits as indicated
• Completion of assessment for appropriate social supports to facilitate function at home and in the community in liaison the Reablement Social Worker
• Indirect work in the lines of completion of onward referral such as Community Occupational Therapy referral or signposting patient and families to appropriate services
• Attending family meetings as part of the multi-disciplinary team
• Falls assessment and provision of appropriate information on falls prevention
• Energy conservation advice

The Medical Social work team link closely with their colleagues in the acute hospitals. Their role involves the following:

• Completing psychosocial assessments, obtaining collateral, liaising with statutory, voluntary and community resources to assist in care and discharge planning
• End of life support and planning
• Crisis Intervention
• Emotional and Bereavement support
• Information and advice service
• Lead role to facilitate and assisting patients and families with the long-term care process/ Fair Deal Scheme and liaising with chosen Nursing Homes for assessments and admission.
• Provide an advocacy role to receive prioritisation for service delivery, i.e. applying for specific funding and homecare packages.
• Key and lead role in discharge planning, particularly for complex cases