Behind Closed Doors.....
As a community OT, it’s always interested me to find out who the next person will be when I knock on their door. It can sometimes feel unnatural turning up to a strangers house and expecting to discuss their personal life with them for an hour, then move on to a neighbour with another story to tell. However, the variety of people I get to meet is usually a varied and often energising experience, with a real mix of stories to listen to and support options to discuss. Recently though, I’ve noticed a change in the type of people opening their front door to me…..
In the last 10 days, for various reasons I won’t bore you with, I’ve seen 15 people at home for different local authorities, of which 6 have been in tears at some point during the assessment (I’d like to quickly add through no fault of my own!). 8 said they hadn’t really left their house for nearly a year and expressed feelings of agoraphobia, anxiety and depression. 3 had experiences of hospitalisation during the pandemic, where they had been quickly discharged home and then didn’t receive any therapeutic support or intervention for over 6 months post discharge. Only 4 have had Christmas decorations up....yes I counted!
Waiting lists seem to be stretching again (both for assessments and major adaptations) and many community support services/centres remain closed. Social prescribing routes feel limited in the palpable support they can currently offer. DFG pots appear healthy but equipment and staffing budgets less so, with further cuts at some point round the corner feeling likely.
Understandably, possibly predictably, the clapping seems to of turned to shouting. ...for myself, I’m feeling professional and personal Covid fatigue and I’m sure I’m not alone! Is it just me or do the R rate and daily figure updates just feel like the absolute tip of a massive iceberg with the real cost of the pandemic still to come?
The reason for me writing this isn’t meant to be negative, helpless or pessimistic, but to ask for some tonic. I’d love to hear the experiences of other OTs regarding positive improvements you, or your service, have made to tangibly improve the wellbeing of those people you’ve recently met? I’d love to hear some thinking outside the box ideas and learn from the positive outcomes of others who are willing to share their wisdom…..even just hearing a positive story will help! Maybe I’ve just had a tiring week and want to see and feel a little more Christmas sparkle, but either way I'll be reading any replies or comments with interest and a smile....