Who is the Client? The Community Occupational Therapy Support to Elderly Dementia Patients and their Carers in West Dorset

Abstract

In West Dorset, patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and their carers, are supported at home by multidisciplinary teams comprising both health and social services personnel. It is recognised that occupational therapists have a specific role to play within the teams; however, the identification of a more general professional role has been neglected. Körner requires face-to-face contact information for DSS statistics, but the role of the occupational therapist extends beyond direct client contact. This study involved three geographical areas of West Dorset with senior occupational therapists, who between them cared for an average of 61 dementia patients. The results indicated a significant gap in the recording of client casework; in particular, there appeared to be a significant role for the occupational therapist in carer support, which seemed to be a determining factor in assisting a dementia patient to continue life in the community. Quantification of patient contact alone was, therefore, an insufficient measure of the role of the occupational therapist. The need to identify the broader contribution, especially in carer support, was paramount.