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Hi, I am Megan, and I am an MSc Physiotherapy student from Edinburgh Napier University, working with Alzheimer Scotland on my first placement. My placement is coming to an end I would like to share with you my experience working with Alzheimer Scotland and what I’ve learnt.
This placement has given me the opportunity to learn more about what help is out there for people living with dementia, how to effectively communicate when working with people living with dementia, understand the layout and visual aspects to providing physiotherapy self-management advice through social media, create foundations for a student lead a physiotherapy student drop in clinic, attend support groups at the Alzheimer Scotland brain health and dementia resource centres, hear carers thoughts and experiences alongside shadow Alzheimer Scotland post diagnostic support link workers in the community.
I did notice that upon visiting a person in their home, that many people did not know what support was available to them. Since knowing that people living with dementia are entitled to 1 year post diagnostic support, it opened my thinking towards awareness surrounding support and delivering of diagnosis. If there has been little awareness of support, then how can a person and family living with dementia be aware of further support from AHP’s such as physiotherapists. I have learnt that it is not always about applying “hands on” physiotherapy techniques but addressing the understanding and awareness of what my role as a physiotherapist CAN do to help a loved one.
Do you know what the role of a Post Diagnostic Support Link Worker is? Try this link here
I had a wonderful opportunity to work with a gentleman, Stuart Dougal, a member of the Scottish Dementia Working Group, living with dementia on an animation regarding his story about the importance of exercise and being a member of a gym. We worked collaboratively on specific aspects such as word choice and visuals. This was a great experience for me to work with Stuart. By listening to his story allowed me to ask questions and create a good rapport leading to us enjoying the animation. I have met Stuart a couple of times and seeing him also speak at the annual Alzheimer Scotland conference inspired me to help create the content of his animation. Follow @AHPDementia and @S_D_W_G to find out when the animation will be published and we hope you enjoy watching.
Did you attend the Annual Alzheimer’s Conference? If not, the videos and recordings are available here for you https://www.alzscot.org/conference23
Having these one-to-one interactions allows students to listen to the person, I think this is something that all health professionals need to continue to do. I have noticed that it makes a big difference listening to someone and then actually hearing them, this also comes down to communication styles in which I have learnt that there is not always an answer for things but just hearing someone can make a difference.
Attending the Alzheimer Scotland conference was eye opening, and a very good opportunity for physiotherapists and/or students due to the layout of the day and content shared. Engaging with other AHPs, carers and people with lived experience alongside the other organisations that work to raise awareness and prevention of dementia. I have continuously been reflecting throughout this placement regarding diagnosis as discussed at the conference, and therefore with every opportunity I can, I try to raise awareness of further support in people’s areas or recommending the further links to people whom I have met who are living with dementia and/or know of someone who would benefit from support.
My message to further students would be, to make sure people are heard and that their thoughts and feelings are made valid. I would also recommend taking advantage of any CPD opportunities regarding dementia and making any department you work in aware of what is available outside of hospital walls, and with this we CAN help reduce the negative stigma of dementia and promote brain health. Like Stuart said in his animation- dementia is one thing about him, not everything!
thank you for reading my blog.
Contributor
Megan Roberts
First year physiotherapy student, Edinburgh Napier University
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