Ryan Tindal
Director - Skilled Carer
Interventions and tools
As a support worker our role is all encompassing and it's vast. As much as we may try, we will struggle to stay on top of knowing everything and supporting everyone in all the ways that they need to the full capacity they need.
Using tools and strategies can leverage the amazing technology we have available to us and enhance the lives of the people we work with.
However, it's not as simple as just: plug and play, "here's an app, go nuts".
Sometimes a strategy is required to implement this intervention and you are the best person for the job when it comes to knowing how to introduce a foreign idea or an intimidating concept into someone's life who has trauma and poor associations toward trying new things through a history of failing and feeling misunderstood and unseen. This is something that I saw in schools and it's something that continues to be missing in the community, workplaces and within in the education system.
These tools, along with your soft and fair guidance through the trusted rapport that you've built with your participants, enables the individual to find successes, find little wins, begin the compounding of positives and make their lives easier, healthier and more enjoyable.
1. Seeing AI
This is an app you can help install on someone's phone, it is used to scan written documents and reads aloud the information. It will read any documentation for the individual when they cannot comprehend, are tired or it's a long letter, it can be very useful for emails.
2. Siri
Siri can be used to plan appointments. It is also useful to ask for instructions on how to make a recipe and it will read the instructions piece by piece and step by step for people to follow.
3. Meal planning
There are many apps and often repetition is required to gather the skills and confidence to create some go to meal options. For some, just knowing how to heat and cook 2 minute noodles might be a great achievement and a great starting point to build upon. For some, we may enjoy a regimented meal plan and preparation process, for others they may enjoy the freedom to choice right before eating. The health implications are of course another aspect to these dilemmas and once again its critical to build upon the journey at which each individual resides.
4. Coles app
This application is brilliant for those new to shopping or who feel victimised by the plethora of delicious options when wandering the isles. It can be used to create shopping lists on the app and then it will tell you where to find each specific item in what aisle of the store once you select the store you wish to shop at. If a Flybuys card is attached to it, they are free in the store, it will record all purchases too so then you can have access to that information in the future and you needn't waste the precious memory space.
5. Segmenting
Most participants have "consumables" as part of their funding. It may require speaking to parents and guardians to obtain access to it and make suggestions, but it can be used to purchase containers and compartmentalising products to store food or organise a home office or bedroom (for example) in a more structured way that's easily accessible. Kmart sell them pretty cheap.
Please take the time to check out the website and our 'Brand Video' on the home page if you haven't already, understanding how we aim to support participants and families.
Comments