A Sue Ryder Occupational Therapist has shared what it is really like to work at a hospice in celebration of Occupational Therapist Day.
Sarah Gledhill, 47, has more than 20 years’ experience as an Occupational Therapist, and has worked at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope for the past year.
She said: “My role involves a real mix of supporting community patients, outpatients, and patients within the hospice.
I support patients with everything from fatigue management, task modification, providing basic anxiety management techniques around breathlessness and supporting people to maintain their ability to carry out activities that are meaningful to them.
“As a team of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, we work collaboratively with the inpatient unit at the hospice, the day services team and the community team.
“Working at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice is an absolute pleasure. There are times that are difficult, but it’s a special place to work and it’s a privilege if we can make a positive difference to patients and families living with life limiting conditions, and those nearing the end of life.
“The most rewarding part of the job is hearing the gratitude of patients and families; it makes me proud to be an Occupational Therapist and Allied Health Professional.
“I love being part of the Palliative Rehab Team at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. We are all here for the same reason and have a commitment to helping people to continue to participate in life, whilst living with a palliative condition. The whole team at Sue Ryder make work a pleasure!”
Find out more about Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice at www.sueryder.org/manorlands
———————
Note: World Occupational Therapy Day was held on Sunday 27 October
About Sue Ryder:
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years, we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. We are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters.
Leave a Reply