The Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument: A Practical Resource for Carers of People with Dementia (Bradford Dementia Group Good Practice Guides) - Softcover

Pool, Jackie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1853028134 ISBN 13: 9781853028137

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999

Synopsis

Designed for the use of carers at home and for professionals in residential and community settings working in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, this practical guide provides a framework for developing meaningful occupation for people with dementia. The Pool Activity Level (PAL) instrument derives from a developmental model which suggests that people with dementia have discrete levels of cognitive ability. The book enables people with dementia to engage in planned activities appropriate to their level of cognitive functioning, which are targeted to their specific needs, abilities and interests. Based on a person-centred approach, PAL instrument helps to maintain the maximal sense of identity and orientation of people with dementia. Already used and recommended by professionals, this resource guides the reader through a series of clear practical steps, using case studies, to enable them to understand, pland and implement their use of the PAL instrument. It contains photocopiable activity checklists and activity plans. It also provides guidelines and materials for monitoring the outcomes of the use of the instrument, and applying this assessment to future practice.

About this title

Review

This is an excellent resource that demonstrates how life history can be integrated into record keeping and then transferred into the care routines of people with cognitive impairment, enabling them to engage in meaningful activity. I feel this instrument has particular relevance for care workers and activity co-ordinators in residential environments. I would recommend this instrument as part of the assessment of older people with cognitive impairment on entering residential environments. (Dementia Journal)

Although designed for professionals and those involved in the care of dementia sufferers, the ideas outlined may also be of great benefit to those working with or caring for those with cognitive impairments of any age from school age upwards. I have found the PAL instrument very useful with both children and adults who have profound and multiple learning disabilities...The book would be invaluable in any care setting where these conditions are prevalent. (PMLD Journal)

The third edition of the Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument for Occupational Profiling remains a practical and accessible guide for the formal care staff and informal carers of people who have a cognitive impairment associated with stroke, a dementia of learning disability. The instrument is made up of a checklist and protocols to aid planning of activities. (International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation)

The third edition of the "PAL Instrument" is a welcome reminder of the importance of meaningful activity for people with cognitive impairment. The theoretical underpinnings of the PAL is presented concisely and early on giving enough depth to satisfy the interested reader whether they have a professional background or not. It is followed by a short list of key references useful for those who may wish to look at the relevant theory in more depth. (The London Centre for Dementia Care)

One of the fears that many people have about coming into the community or institutions setting for care is the potential for boredom. Many people still hold the image of the resident's lounge in a residential care home as a place with chairs pushed up against the wall, with a television set switched on and nobody really taking any notice of anything. Jackie Pool, has provided a third edition of the Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument, which has become generally used as the framework for activity based care systems in a variety of health and care settings. It is to be commended as an essential resource for any practitioner wanting to provide fulfilling occupation for clients with cognitive impairments. (Leveson Centre Newsletter)

Praise for the first edition:

'An extremely practical resource with photocopiable activity checklists, personal profile records and outcome sheets...the resource is well presented and easy to read and it flows. The inclusion of short case studies provides the reader with workable illustrations so that at no point is he or she left unsure as to how ideas might be translated into practice.'

(The British Journal of Occupational Therapy)

It is a good aid in training staff in residential care settings, to enrich and improve the quality of the life of those with cognitive impairment. (Older People and Occupational Therapy)

About the Author

Jackie Pool is a state registered consultant occupational therapist in dementia care. She graduated from the Liverpool School of Occupational Therapy in 1988. She has esatablished her own full-time consultancy, Dementia Concern, working with health and social care providers to develop their practices with peple with dementia. Jackie is an Approved Alzheimer's Society Trainer and an Associate of the Bradford Dementia Group. She has published extensively in the field of dementia care.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1853028134
• ISBN 13: 9781853028137
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 64