What happens when care focuses only on keeping someone safe, but forgets about the life they still want to live?In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina speaks with Occupational Therapist and founder of Sunday Care Therapy, Derek Sleater, about the future of care, the power of Occupational Therapy and why autonomy must remain at the heart of every care plan.

Derek shares the powerful story of a woman in her 40s with primary progressive MS who had not been out of bed for more than three years. Her care plan centred on care in bed, but Derek and his team asked a different question: why should this be the rest of her life?

Through careful changes to her care, specialist seating, moving and handling support and a focus on building her seating tolerance, she was eventually able to sit out for three hours, access a wheelchair and return to her community.

Martina and Derek also discuss multidisciplinary care, the pressures facing health and social care, the future role of AI and robotics, and the importance of thinking differently when the system says, “this is just how it is”.

A thought-provoking conversation about dignity, independence, innovation and what can happen when we focus.

Watch the webinar and download the PDF here: https://seatingmatters.com/gb-ie/resources/navigating-equipment-shortages-and-policy-shifts-2