Hi, I am Megan, and I am an MSc Physiotherapy student from Edinburgh Napier University and I have just completed my first practice placement with Alzheimer Scotland. During the placement, I had the opportunity to lead the AHPdementia Instagram page during my last 4 weeks of placement. This gave me the opportunity to interact with other supporting accounts & engage with people via my posts and stories. My posts had meaning, awareness and advice, posting two posts per week with a range of themes including an introduction to me, my blog posts, campaigns, advice regarding Sit to Stand, routine, music and emotional wellbeing. Outlined below is a short sample of a selection of my posts.

An Introduction.  My first post included an introduction to myself & what I wanted to achieve on this practice placement. I am enjoying working with Alzheimer Scotland through my projects by collaborating with people with lived experience, and raising awareness and understanding of the root preventative measures in brain health associated with Alzheimer’s. I’d like to give guided support to those post diagnosis where I CAN make a difference through my student physiotherapy background.

Blogs. When on placement I wrote my first ever blog post then re-shared them on Instagram.  You can see one of my s blog here.

Campaigns. I supported 2 national campaigns. Alzheimer Awareness day and Physiotherapy Day raising awareness about the important role of physiotherapy in supporting people living with dementia.

Sit to Stand. Shared two posts emphasising that exercise is important and it’s part of every day life. Sit to stand improves:
✅Strength in your lower body & mobility.
✅Supports posture, stomach & back muscles.
✅Helps reduce the risk of falling.
For more helpful info click here

Routine. Shared two posts on routine, inviting people to consider “What do you like about your routine?” A Routine can:
⭐️ Help remind you to have a daily walk and to get some fresh air.
⭐️ Initiate the completion of a physical task.
⭐️Help a situation feel more controllable and predictable.
For more helpful information click here

Music. Shared two posts on music and asking “What is your favourite song?” Music can:
✅ Help reduce stress & depression.
✅ Provide memory links with familiar sounds.
✅ Help your body complete repetitive movements more efficiently.
Follow this link for further musical activities

 

Emotional Wellbeing. I posted 2 posts regarding how a physiotherapist can help overwhelming feelings  and how physiotherapists are here to listen when you are ready. Physiotherapists can:
🤍 Use relaxation techniques to help you cope with every day challenges.
🤍 Encourage exercise which can make you feel more in control.
🤍 Facilitate treatment which can help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety by reducing pain and stiffness.
For further information follow the link

Thank you. My final post included a massive thank youand a goodbye, thanking everyone for all their support. I enjoyed preparing content for @ahpdementia   and I hoped my posts were useful, fun and informative. I left the practice placement and aim to  continue to encourage physiotherapists to enhance their role in supporting people living with dementia & educate further students.

When I started my Instagram posts, I recorded my Instagram stats & compared them to when I finished, this gave me a clear indication whom I was reaching out to. In total, over 4 weeks,  I posted 12 posts and increased the followers of the account by 33. These posts are available for anyone and I hope they can help raise awareness of what AHPs such as physiotherapist can do to assist people living with dementia.

This has been a great opportunity for me to connect with people & share my knowledge across platforms such as Instagram, twitter and the letstalkaboutdementiawordpress blog.

Follow the @AHPdementia work on Instagram.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Contributor: Megan Roberts, First year physiotherapy student, Edinburgh Napier University.  @megan_robsss

Hi, I am Megan, and I am an MSc Physiotherapy student from Edinburgh Napier University and I have just completed my first practice placement with Alzheimer Scotland. During the placement, I had the opportunity to lead the AHPdementia Instagram page during my last 4 weeks of placement. This gave me the opportunity to interact with other supporting accounts & engage with people via my posts and stories. My posts had meaning, awareness and advice, posting two posts per week with a range of themes including an introduction to me, my blog posts, campaigns, advice regarding Sit to Stand, routine, music and emotional wellbeing. Outlined below is a short sample of a selection of my posts.

An Introduction.  My first post included an introduction to myself & what I wanted to achieve on this practice placement. I am enjoying working with Alzheimer Scotland through my projects by collaborating with people with lived experience, and raising awareness and understanding of the root preventative measures in brain health associated with Alzheimer’s. I’d like to give guided support to those post diagnosis where I CAN make a difference through my student physiotherapy background.

Blogs. When on placement I wrote my first ever blog post then re-shared them on Instagram.  You can see one of my s blog here.

Campaigns. I supported 2 national campaigns. Alzheimer Awareness day and Physiotherapy Day raising awareness about the important role of physiotherapy in supporting people living with dementia.

Sit to Stand. Shared two posts emphasising that exercise is important and it’s part of every day life. Sit to stand improves:
✅Strength in your lower body & mobility.
✅Supports posture, stomach & back muscles.
✅Helps reduce the risk of falling.
For more helpful info click here

Routine. Shared two posts on routine, inviting people to consider “What do you like about your routine?” A Routine can:
⭐️ Help remind you to have a daily walk and to get some fresh air.
⭐️ Initiate the completion of a physical task.
⭐️Help a situation feel more controllable and predictable.
For more helpful information click here

Music. Shared two posts on music and asking “What is your favourite song?” Music can:
✅ Help reduce stress & depression.
✅ Provide memory links with familiar sounds.
✅ Help your body complete repetitive movements more efficiently.
Follow this link for further musical activities

 

Emotional Wellbeing. I posted 2 posts regarding how a physiotherapist can help overwhelming feelings  and how physiotherapists are here to listen when you are ready. Physiotherapists can:
🤍 Use relaxation techniques to help you cope with every day challenges.
🤍 Encourage exercise which can make you feel more in control.
🤍 Facilitate treatment which can help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety by reducing pain and stiffness.
For further information follow the link

Thank you. My final post included a massive thank youand a goodbye, thanking everyone for all their support. I enjoyed preparing content for @ahpdementia   and I hoped my posts were useful, fun and informative. I left the practice placement and aim to  continue to encourage physiotherapists to enhance their role in supporting people living with dementia & educate further students.

When I started my Instagram posts, I recorded my Instagram stats & compared them to when I finished, this gave me a clear indication whom I was reaching out to. In total, over 4 weeks,  I posted 12 posts and increased the followers of the account by 33. These posts are available for anyone and I hope they can help raise awareness of what AHPs such as physiotherapist can do to assist people living with dementia.

This has been a great opportunity for me to connect with people & share my knowledge across platforms such as Instagram, twitter and the letstalkaboutdementiawordpress blog.

Follow the @AHPdementia work on Instagram.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Contributor: Megan Roberts, First year physiotherapy student, Edinburgh Napier University.  @megan_robsss