The aim of this day is to enable attendees to carry out a functional assessment for equipment that is most frequently provided by Health and Social Care agencies. The combination of gaining the above BTEC qualification and attending this one-day course has been recognised by the Community Equipment Dispenser Accreditation Body as one way to evidence competence as a Community Equipment Dispenser.
The trainer, a Senior Occupational Therapist, with over 30 years experience, delivers a very practical hands-on study day covering topics such as functional assessments; equipment to maintain mobility and transfers; equipment to maintain personal care and other equipment to enable access and further domestic care. Pre-course reading will be provided on neurological and arthritic conditions a week before the event.
Dates:
Nottingham: 6 May 2010
Exeter: 8 July 2010
Shrewsbury: 28 October 2010
Cost:
Member cost: £150 plus VAT
Non-member cost: £185 plus VAT
BHTA Community Equipment Assessor Day
The aim of this day is to enable attendees to carry out a functional assessment for equipment that is most frequently provided by Health and Social Care agencies and has been identified by DH in the National Catalogue for ‘Transforming Community Equipment Services'. The day is divided in to 4 main sessions:
Introduction to Functional Assessments
This session will provide an overview of why an assessment is such an important element of the provision of equipment. It will be a practical session which will explain how a well executed functional assessment can ensure that equipment meets the needs of the customer. It will include an introduction to ergonomics and measuring as well as an overview of the issues which need to be considered when assessing for a wide range of everyday equipment. Touching on communication problems ie. language and sensory loss; social inclusion; matters surrounding peoples short and long term needs in relation to specific physical conditions; and recognising different mental states. It also covers the effects of long term chronic pain on a person, and the specific needs to be considered when assessing for bariatric equipment.
Mobility and Transfers
This session will focus on getting about safely. Issues to consider include; steps, ramps and paths to provide access to and egress from the home, door handles and locks, and clear routes throughout the house. In particular it will concentrate on:
* Walking – with or without walking equipment, both indoors and outdoors. This will include assessing for a variety of sticks and crutches and also walking frames – both wheeled and static. This will also include the assessment of trolleys.
* Transfers – identifying issues, concerns and solutions for common transfers such as getting on and off a chair, bed, or toilet, or out of a bath, shower, or car. This will include the assessment of common equipment and furniture such as stools and chairs.
* Steps and stairs – issues of safety and ability and the need for rails to enable people to manage these safely.
* Standing, balance and tolerance issues. When and how to assess for manual handling equipment such as transfer boards and handling belts. The course will also cover when it is not appropriate to assess for or provide this equipment.
Personal Care
This session will take the principles from the previous session forward to look at practical applications and Activities of Daily Living in the area of personal care. This will include:
* Washing, which will include assessment for bathing equipment such as bathboards and seats as well as bathlifts, hairwashing equipment and other items.
* This section will also cover grooming and dressing and the use of reachers and other small items designed equipment to assist with this.
* The other main area of personal care is toiletting and this section will cover a range of equipment including a wide range of frames and seats to increase independence in using the toilet.
Domestic Care, Access and Environment
The final practical session will consider the issues of domestic Activities of Daily Living and also the issues of safe access into and out of the home and hazards in the home environment. Domestic care issues include:
* Equipment to help people get in and out of bed such as rails, bed leavers and mattress variators.
* Pressure care and the types of cushions, pads, and mattresses which are available to reduce pressure issues.
* Kitchen equipment will also be covered in this section including a wide variety of tippers , openers and equipment of single handed use as well as reachers, crockery and cutlery.
* Understanding and taking medication.
* A brief overview of safety equipment – use of phone, keysafes, lifeline, telecare, etc.