The Memory Unit OT

Let’s talk about care plans. And I’m not talking about therapy evaluations with treatment goals (although those are important). I’m talking about creating an itemized care plan of need-to-know information about an individual. I’m talking about more than just medication schedules and transfer techniques.

I always joke with my coworkers about things I would want in my own care plan; things like “If I have to eat a pureed hotdog, can you please put mustard on it” or “Don’t try to wake me up before 6am because I’m just not here for that”.

In the midst of hospital and SNF admissions, the last thing most families think about is making sure the staff know what condiments their loved one puts on their hotdog or how they take their coffee.

It’s important to think of all aspects of the individuals’ day-to-day habits, routines, and rituals. Ask questions about morning routines, the order in which they take a shower, the order in which they get dressed, favorite foods, favorite memories from the past, potentially traumatic experiences that have shifted the way they behave now, family traditions.

Put yourself in their shoes and think about the things in your daily routine that make your day easier and/or better. Then ask questions that prompt your patients and their families to think about the same things.

I’ve created a list of personality-style questions to help create the Better-than-Basic Care Plan. It’s full of fun, not commonly asked questions that I believe really help to build and deepen rapport with patients. Blog subscribers get access to this resource for free!

As a therapist this a great resource to give to your patient/family units, and as a human this is a great resource to use with your own self and family.