Hi! I am a final year Occupational Therapy student at Queen Margaret University, and I have just finished my last placement with Alzheimer Scotland. I wanted to write a blog about my insightful experience on this placement and share the many things I will take with me in my occupational therapy career.
This placement offered me a variety of learning opportunities which have varied from my previous hospital-based placements, such as collaborating with individuals who have lived experience to create a co-production piece about travelling with dementia. This involved engaging with active members from the Scottish Dementia Working Group and the National Dementia Carers Action Network and listening to everyone’s diverse stories. I had the opportunity to create content for social media to promote the value of occupational therapy for those living with dementia. Additionally, I was privileged to assist with AHP student community visits to Alzheimer Scotland, raising awareness of the valuable role Allied Health Professionals play in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers. On one of these days, I had the opportunity to present with my peer Emma to other occupational therapy and physiotherapy students about the importance of working with lived experience, which was a great way to share our travelling with dementia work. This placement gave me insights into the post-diagnostic support provided by link workers across Scotland in accordance with the Scottish Dementia Strategy, which was hugely useful for me to see policy in practice, whilst also highlighting the benefits of this support as it is so unique to Scotland. I also participated in various support services at Alzheimer Scotland, including pre- and post-diagnostic support groups, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the key things I have learnt about people living with dementia is the power of peer support and building community connections. I had previously been introduced to this concept in university, however, being able to see in practice the benefit of both people living with dementia and their carers to connect with other families going through a similar diagnosis process or challenges was really eye-opening. I was able to witness friendships being made and developed outside the group, and individuals say how it has made such a difference going through a dementia journey with a friend with similar experiences.
This placement has expanded on my knowledge of the role occupational therapy play when working with people living dementia particularly by introducing me to the occupational therapy group intervention of journeying through dementia which has taught me the potential occupational therapy has in the early stages of dementia to build upon a person’s confidence, occupational identity, and also build supportive peer relationships through goal setting and meaningful occupation. It highlights the importance of focusing on what still matters to the person, rather than what has been lost.
I had many highlights during my time at Alzheimer Scotland, though my main one was our last meeting for the travelling with dementia project with the active voice members and seeing our finalised piece. This brought in a new perspective compared to the original piece of work created in 2016, it drew on ‘why’ we travel and not only ‘how’ we travel. This emphasised the value of enabling participation, engaging in meaningful occupations, and supporting connections within the community as core components of the occupational therapy profession. It was really lovely to see everyone in agreement and pleased with the final piece, I think this, coupled with the fact that everyone’s views and top tips were included, made the final piece feel very rewarding to see. I look forward to seeing the final designed document, and I hope people living with dementia and also their carers find some helpful tips within.
One top tip I would like to offer another AHP student joining Alzheimer Scotland is to really enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to work with lived experience, as it is such a valuable experience to have and also a key learning opportunity to have gained, going into the working world. Sometimes we feel we may know what is best for the people we work with, as it’s what the textbooks in university say; however, the insights gained through working with these amazing people override that, in my opinion. Make the most of every opportunity that arises as placement flies in, and the third sector offers opportunities that may not come up again. Being placed in the third sector can really help to expand your knowledge and understanding of AHP roles to create creative and resourceful ways of supporting people that are unique compared to traditional health and social care settings.
I would like to say a massive thank you to Elaine Hunter for being a great practice educator during this placement and for her invaluable expertise. I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone I worked with during this placement it has been a privilege to get to know everyone and learn from you all
Thank you for reading!
Contributor. Hannah Moore, 4th year occupational therapy student, Queen Margaret University.
