OT’s can help “Disjointed Care” of Dementia Patients

OT’s can help “Disjointed Care” of Dementia Patients

CEO of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has called for A&E departments to have occupational therapists at the front door

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Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The journal of the Alzheimer’s association has published an article which demonstrates an in increase in dependence on emergency care for dementia patients, towards the end of their lives.   Julia Scott, CEO of the RCOT, has expressed her dismay at the “disjointed care” Alzheimer sufferers often experience.

“Sadly, people with complex and deteriorating needs are sometimes regarded simply as a set of care needs rather than as a person who need increasing help and support”.  She went onto explain: “This can lead to the type of disjointed care highlighted in this report and results in thousands of unnecessary hospital admissions every year, at huge financial cost to the health and care system and emotional cost to the person and their family.”

Scott went on to outline why she is suggesting the presence of OTs at all A&E departments: “The sudden transfer into an unfamiliar environment, with unfamiliar faces and invasive procedures causes unnecessary distress. That is why we are calling for all A&E departments to have occupational therapists at the front door to prevent unnecessary admissions, and for local authorities to deploy occupational therapy led social care which sees the whole person, encourages advanced planning and address end of life needs.”

You can read the full journal article here