Independent Occupational Therapist

JULIE SWANN

'International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation'

Some of the articles up to February 2007 form the basis for my book:-
 'Promoting independence and activity in older people' which can be ordered from Quay Books

Some of these articles can be downloaded in PDF format. To view the PDF files you will need the free Acrobat Reader.
To download click

2008

June Vol 15 No 6:
Smart Homes: Intelligent buildings
Throughout the world advances in technology have enabled the development of products and systems to improve the quality of our lives. Many modern appliances are sensor-operated or remote-controlled, and many items originally designed for the general market have enhanced the lives of peoplewho have problems coping with the complexities of life or physical management of their environment.

Telecare products and the advent of smart technology incorporated into smart homes enables some people who would otherwise have struggled in their own homes to continue to live in the community safely, with the support of good social care networks.

This article describes smart homes and outlines some telecare products and monitoring systems that can be set according to the needs of the household. Case scenarios are provided that demonstrate how levels of independence can be enhanced, particularly for people with disabilities and cognitive impairment.
The future of the smart home and the therapist’s role with clients who have, or require, this type of housing is discussed.

2007

June Vol 14 No 6:
Inclusive design or tools for daily living
This article examines the history of assistive equipment and how the concept of inclusive design has contributed to its development. It then explains why society should encourage the development of more inclusive design features and how therapists can be involved in this process.

November Vol 14 No 11: (PDF File 1704KB)
Telecare: Looking to the future
A new age is emerging with regard to the type and range of care services being delivered.
An explosion of technological advances, creatively applied to health and social care provision, can enhance the lives of people of all ages. With an increasing ageing population, the benefits of these developments could lead to better outcomes for people as well as being more affordable than the traditional models of care. These advances, however, do open up new ethical challenges that must be addressed.
This article explores the opportunities and challenges involved in using telecare in today’s healthcare climate and provides examples of the types of products available.

2006

January Vol 13 No 1:
Assisting people with disabilities to bathe and shower
This article explores some of the range of bathing and shower equipment currently available.
It emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals to make the right choice for themselves.
The key to providing a good service is to ensure that advice provided follows an appropriate assessment that takes into account individual need.

March Vol 13 No 3:
Assistive equipment around the home: Tools for daily living
In today’s society, people are heavily dependent upon devices to help them manage their lives effectively. There is a vast array of labour-saving devices available on the high street that disabled people can use and many specialist disability equipment outlets. It can be difficult to keep up to date with new developments. However, therapists need a general knowledge of the range of equipment that exists and the most appropriate type of equipment to meet specific needs. In addition, therapists have the opportunity to work with product suppliers to ensure that new products meet the needs of disabled people.
This article provides guidance on resources and explains the criteria by which local councils determine who may be eligible for a particular service.

Articles have also been published in:

Email: BoxNum 1242

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