Changing rooms to change lives

For many people, leaving hospital is just the beginning of their recovery.  Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's (KCHFT) Occupational Therapy Technician Service is making it possible for more people to recover safely at home through simple but life-changing practical solutions.

When Fiona Bergall, 72, from Sevenoaks, was discharged from Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, after being diagnosed with multiple brain tumours, our Occupational Therapy Technician Service put in place equipment and adaptations to support her independence at home.

Fiona at home with Occupational Therapy Technician Dean Hussey

Fiona, who now lives with constant disorientation and deteriorating spatial awareness, said: “Before I left hospital, I was asked what’s most important to me. Staying in my own home for as long as possible and sleeping upstairs was my priority, closely followed by being able to do my own laundry and cooking.”

Occupational Therapy (OT) Technician Dean Hussey, pictured at home with Fiona, is part of our specialist team, which provides home adaptations for patients within five days of a referral. Terminal and critical patients are seen on the same or next day.

Working with NHS prescribers, such as occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists and district nurses, the OT technicians review and assess the most effective interventions for each home.

Dean installed stair bannisters and fitted a grab rail in Fiona’s utility room so she would be able to balance and reach safely to load and unload the washing machine. He also laid a ramp from the kitchen to the dining room so she could carry her dinner plates, instead of balancing them on her wheeled walking aid.

“In just over an hour, Dean made the cottage, where I have lived for more than 40 years, feel like my safe haven again,” said Fiona.

“Now I feel ready to do a little more for myself and have the confidence to get back to my everyday routines.”

As well as serving our community hospitals, urgent care, home treatment and rehabilitation services, the seven-strong team also takes referrals from acute hospitals and hospices from around the county.

Practical solutions offered depend on an individual’s mobility, diagnosis and living arrangements and include bannisters, grab rails, bed and furniture raisers and bath and shower seats.

Senior OT Technician Mark Lavender, who heads up the team, explained why it’s his most rewarding role yet in his 25-year NHS career: “Helping people live in their own homes for longer is at the heart of what KCHFT does and we deliver that commitment of care every day.

“Living with, or recovering from, a medical condition can be daunting, unpredictable and highly emotional. Producing useful, immediate and tangible improvements in people’s homes means they have at least one less thing to worry about.

“We’re pragmatic problem solvers with a background in building and house construction, but common sense and compassion are the skills we use the most.

Members of the KCHFT Occupational Therapy Technician Service

“It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s rehabilitation; It’s even more of a privilege to help people at the end of their life by working alongside them, their families and our clinical colleagues, to make their last days as comfortable as possible.”

Dean visited ‘John’ at home in Sevenoaks, immediately after the 55-year-old was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer and given just weeks to live.

John was adamant he didn’t want any damage to the walls when Dean fitted the adapted curved bannisters he so desperately needed to keep him mobile in his townhouse.

Wife ‘Nancy’ explained that John wasn’t at all precious about the wallpaper but simply didn’t want her to have to worry about renovations and repairs after he was gone.

On completion of the job, the relieved couple thanked Dean for taking the time to listen and coming up with a workaround that will protect the walls but most importantly keep John from falling down the stairs.

“This job is so much more than a few quick home modifications,” said Mark. “It’s our responsibility to understand why we are doing the work, as well as how.”

The Occupational Therapy Technician Service also prevents people who are struggling to live well in their own from home being admitted, or readmitted, to hospital.

Dean at home with Chris Shepherd

Six foot three Chris Shepherd, 80, from Dunton Green, pictured with Dean, struggled to sit down and get up from his ‘comfiest of sofas’, so had been managing on an old armchair instead.

In a matter of minutes, Dean fitted a set of temporary raisers and helped Chris try out the ‘new’ sofa.

Chris, who lives with diabetes, is partially sighted and has a foot deformity, described himself as ‘wobbly on his feet and in need of a good rest’.

Wife, Enid, 70, who has sleep apnoea, blood clots, and is also diabetic, said: “I’m as short as he is tall so it’s hard for us to relax on the sofa together.

“We’ve both had to give up driving due to our ill-health so being comfortable at home really matters. This will really take the strain off our aching joints and make home life a little lighter.”