Thursday 2 July 2015

What did I learn from Paul?

I was very involved in Paul’s life as he faced his imminent death and I learnt a great deal about myself and how I want to treat clients when I am practicing. For example, witnessing Paul with a variety of health professionals made me realise how important building rapport is. Those that he trusted and had confidence in were able to make a big difference to his quality of life whereas others weren’t able to help him at all as he had no faith in them.

Paul also taught me how much humans are occupational beings. For the whole time I was in the UK one of his daily occupations was telling me he loved me. For the last few days of his life he was in the hospice, mostly asleep and unable to talk. On the day before he died I went to say goodbye at the end of a visit. Paul opened his eyes, recognised me, gave me a big smile and pursed his lips to give me a kiss. Even at this stage of his life and illness he still managed to find a way to tell me that he loved me.

Whalley-Hammell (2008) talks of individuals having the right to engage in meaningful occupations that contribute to their own well being. People who are dying should have the same rights as others, no matter what their prognosis. Individuals with terminal illness may well experience a decline in bodily function and performance skills but this doesn’t mean that their occupations should just be discarded and put in the “too hard basket”. 

An example of how clients can still engage in their chosen occupations can be seen in the following You Tube clip from Mary Potter Hospice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPdwrKrTIAo

Occupational therapists can still optimise quality of life and maximise opportunities for occupational engagement. As Warne and Hoppes (2009) tell us “occupational therapy with patients who are dying is not futile” (p. 310). 

It is important that all occupational therapists are aware of this, not just those working in specialist palliative care settings. Client deaths occur in many areas of practice but if there is an emphasis on occupational engagement then quality of life can be improved, as can the dying experience.

I was privileged to see this first hand with my own brother and hope to put all he taught me into my own practice. 

2 comments:

  1. Lizzie,
    it's wonderful that you can reflect on this experience, and understand the importance of engaging in meaningful occupations at the end of life. I look forward to seeing where this experience takes you in your journey as a therapist.

    John

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  2. Thank you John. I appreciate your comments. My experiences with Paul have certainly helped to deepen my understanding as to the importance of meaningful occupations at end of life. I learnt an awful lot from him and it was humbling to see his determination to participate in his chosen occupations right up until his death.

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