Making Waves

We dipped into the world of Alicia Hopkins, cared for by our Community Learning Disability Team in Folkestone.

Alicia’s eyes lit up as she was eased gently by hoist into the warm water of the hydrotherapy pool.

Her body, often taut and constricted, instantly relaxed as the weightlessness and buoyancy of the experience takes over. She giggled and smiled, visibly comforted by her time in the water.

Pictured above right: Physiotherapist Priyanka Karnad (left) and support worker Clair Webb with Alicia in the hydrotherapy pool.

Alicia is non-verbal, but there are many palpable signs of her happiness, watching her enjoy her bi-weekly swimming lesson.

“This is the most relaxed Alicia will ever be,” smiles her physiotherapist Priyanka Karnad.

“The water helps her joints feel looser, but also means we can access all sides of her body and treat her properly. After a session she will respond very well to home exercises and she can feel better for many days.

“We notice improvements after hydrotherapy with all of our patients – from reduced pain relief, to better engagement. It’s a great form of therapy for our clients who find it difficult to engage in conventional therapy models.”

Pictured above: Priyanka and Clair with Alicia in the hydrotherapy pool.

Alicia’s life was profoundly impacted by meningitis during her childhood, leaving her with a severe learning disability. This resulted in significant postural challenges and dysphagia, affecting her ability to swallow.

At 59, she depends on a dedicated team for support, including an occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, learning disability nurse and physiotherapist. Together, they care for her in her supported-living flat and help her engage in community activities, like her weekly pool sessions.

Omo Olaleye, a lead physiotherapist said: “Alicia used to be fairly active, but after having Covid in 2020, she lost many skills. She was once able to walk with a pacer and hold a cup to drink water by herself, but these skills have gone. She has more significant postural needs now, so these sessions are a lifeline.

“When we’re at her home, I spend a lot of time carrying out passive stretches because the most important thing for someone like Alicia who can’t walk or move easily, is to keep her as active as possible.

“I am also here to think about the equipment she might need and to instruct those around her, like her support worker, to carry out exercises daily, to make her comfortable.”

Clair Webb has been working as Alicia’s support worker since August 2023. She sees a real value in the team being able to treat someone with Alicia’s needs at home.

Clair explained: “Having access to a team in her home means I have the best guideline to do things correctly with her. The exercises the physio team show me, I get to do with Alicia morning and night.

“She is measurably more comfortable after physiotherapy, but especially after hydrotherapy. Alicia’s body is quite contorted, she becomes extremely stiff and it is more hard work for her. We see a massive change after these sessions and when she has physio in general.”

Alicia’s support worker has access to a car and takes her shopping, swimming, to the beach and even on holiday, like Butlins in Bognor Regis.

Omo said: “We know when she is happy. She will bang the table to tell us she likes something and if she is upset, she will cry. We have to eliminate why she might be crying, is something hurting her? We try to put ourselves in her shoes.

“Working together as a team means we give her the best care. We have ‘best interest’ meetings where we reflect on her needs and we keep her family up-to-date if they can’t attend.”

Alicia is a happy and calm person. This, credits Clair, is hugely down to the team around her.

She says: “Those who treat Alicia all give 110 per cent. It’s peace of mind that they have her wellbeing at the forefront.”

Priyanka concludes: “We all have a bond and familiarity. We know her moods, we can pick up if there is a change in her. She gets used to us and it gives her security.

“Sometimes it is difficult to quantify what we do, but we can see she is noticeably more active and alert. It’s a team effort.”

Supporting people with learning disabilities

Our Community Learning Disability Service provides community nursing care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy to people with learning disabilities.

It also offers specialist advice to carers, families and the wider health and social care community.