Care of the Elderly Services

 The care of the Elderly Department

The Care of the Elderly team assess and treat patients aged 77 years plus. They can be admitted through casualty at BRI and spend up to 48 hours on the admissions ward where they are assessed and either discharged home or transferred to the elderly wards at St Luke's or to intermediate care facilities for further treatment and rehabilitation. The elderly often have a number of problems, both medical and social. Their medical problems can include a combination of diagnoses e.g. heart condition, arthritis and urinary tract infection.

They can also be admitted directly to the wards by a G.P.

All patients referred are assessed by the Occupational Therapist who decides on an appropriate treatment plan. This usually involves  activities of daily living e.g. washing and dressing, assessment in the kitchen and home visits where the patients needs can be assessed in their own home.

As this is an acute hospital there is a timely turnover of patients. This means that assessments have to be completed promptly in order to facilitate a safe and timely discharge.

The Occupational Therapists work closely with the other multidisciplinary team members including Doctors, Nurses and Physiotherapists, to ensure the safe discharge or transfer of patients.

Occupational Therapy staff are also involved in the falls management programme with older people.

Occupational Therapy in the Community

Occupational Therapists work in:-

• The Community Hospitals: Westwood Park, Shipley Hospital, Leeds Road Hospital, Westbourne Green Hospital and Eccleshill Hospital.
• Domiciliary Service: Patients own homes and residential care, social rehabilitation beds are Norman Lodge, Meadowcroft and Neville Grange.
• Enablement Teams
• Older Persons Assessment Clinics

The Community Hospitals

All patients are referred and assessed on the ward with treatment and rehabilitation plans drawn up to assist in their discharge home.

Assessment / treatment may include:-

• Personal activities of daily living
• Domestic activities of daily living
• Cognition/perception
• Home assessments and discharge planning
• Provision of equipment to assist independence
• Social/family support

Domiciliary Service

Occupational Therapists are based at rehabilitation centres, one based in each of the primary care localities:-

Shipley Rehabilitation Centre for Bradford North PCT (Tel. 01274 773390)

Horton Park Centre for Bradford City PCT (Tel. 01274 228844)

Westwood Park Clinic for Bradford South and West PCT (Tel. 01274 425925)

The majority of patients are over 65.  Referrals come from:-

Consultants; GP's District Nurses; Social Services O.T. section; Physiotherapists; Social Workers and Home Care.

Patients are assessed in their own homes and occasionally in residential care homes if people wish to return home.

Assessments and treatment may include:-

• Personal activities of daily living
• Domestic activities of daily living
• Cognition/perception
• Coping strategies, for example, relaxation techniques
• Provision of equipment to assist independence
• Social/family carer support
• Leisure
• Falls and safety advice

The Community Enablement Scheme

This scheme is jointly financed by health and social services. It aims to maximise a person's ability to function at home. The client receives rehabilitation at home. The client may be on the scheme for up to six weeks and will usually have reached maximum potential during this time. The enablement staff work under the direction of the O.T. Physiotherapist and Social Worker. The O.T. is involved in the initial assessment, the care planning , treatment and review of the client.

Older Persons Assessment Clinics

Occupational Therapy is provided as part of a multidisciplinary team. An assessment, treatment, monitoring and review process is in place to support these patients who often have multiple pathology and complex needs. The three clinics are based in each primary care locality