Implementing a daily routine with a client

Reflecting on my experience of implementing a daily routine with a client.

I am struck by the complexity and impact of this seemingly simple task that many people take for granted. The process of establishing a daily routine with a client involved not just understanding their daily activities, but also their values, preferences and their personal challenges.

I started by gathering detailed information about the client’s daily life, identifying areas where they struggled with consistency or felt overwhelmed. I quickly realised that whilst university has helped me to have a clear clinical perspective on what may be beneficial for the client, their own insight was invaluable.

Engaging the client in a collaborative discussion about what routines they found meaningful and therefore sustainable was crucial. This reinforced my understanding that effective occupational therapy is person-centred and that the client is an expert in their own life.

During implementation, I encountered some challenges. I noticed that the client had difficulty adhering to the routine on days when their energy levels were low or the days when they didn’t have therapy input. This prompted me to reflect on the need for flexibility within the routine, allowing the client to make adjustments when needed. I also found that the client’s motivation fluctuated, which made it clear that a routine should not only be practical but also meaningful to them. To address this, I integrated activities that the client found particularly enjoyable or fulfilling, which helped maintain their engagement.

One of the key lessons I took from this experience was the importance of ongoing evaluation and adjustment. A routine is not a static tool but rather a dynamic process that needs to evolve, sometimes taking steps backwards depending on the clients energy, motivation and progress.

This experience has deepened my understanding of the role of routines and how this has an overall impact on a persons overall health and wellbeing and therefore in supporting their rehabilitation. It has reinforced the importance of empathy, collaboration and adaptability which I feel can only be learnt in practice and therefore will help me moving forward with my studies.

Lauren (Rehabilitate OT Technical Instructor and Psychology Graduate studying a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy)