GHP Q4 2023 “It’s important for everyone to feel comfortable, in a safe and nurturing environment, to restore their mental and physical health.” Cohesive and Holistic Approach Another difference between clinical care in hospital and specialist rehabilitation is the access to a wide range of healthcare professionals and therapists who work cohesively to help the individual take their own steps towards living independently. Laetitia says, “Our specialist dietician supervises each service user’s nutritional rehabilitation during their stay with us. Meanwhile, our occupational therapist supports service users to build the practical skills they need to transfer when they return home, if appropriate. “Examples of therapeutic activities and groups that we offer at Bramacare include reflexology, wellbeing and life skills, flexibility, exercise management, anxiety management, and self-esteem. Practical activities include cookery (individual and group), nutrition, meal planning, shopping, and goal setting. “We work holistically with our service users to create care plans, set goals, and discover hobbies that can aid their recovery. Recently, we’ve introduced equine therapy and pet therapy, where our service users are enjoying the benefits of caring for animals while promoting greater responsibility and awareness of selfcare.” Effective Medication Management A key part of specialist rehabilitation is effective management of medications to ensure service users are receiving all that they need to aid their recovery. Laetitia continues, “Eating disorders can lead to or be a result of other mental health conditions, as well as physical health issues. Many of our service users at Bramacare have had their eating disorder for a long time, so clinical monitoring is very important to keep on track with their rehabilitation. “We also adopt a Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) approach, which combines regular clinical monitoring with a review of target symptoms, psychoeducation, and general support to normalise eating. “Medication is often provided to help adults with eating disorders to manage their physical health symptoms as well as helping to ease emotions like distress and anxiety. At Bramacare, we work closely with GPs and pharmacists to continuously assess medications for each individual, ensuring that medications are managed safely and reviewed regularly to meet the services users’ changing needs. Step-Down Service For adults with eating disorders, the journey towards recovery is not always straightforward and it often requires an agile, responsive care plan to meet their changing needs. A specialist care approach is often flexible for each individual, stepping up the care when required, and stepping down again when progress or goals have been met. Laetitia says, “It can be a long journey towards recovery but the importance of specialist rehabilitation is to focus on the person, not their eating disorder.” About Bramacare Bramacare first opened at The White House in north-Ipswich (Suffolk, England) in 2017, to provide residential and transitional living for adults with eating disorders. The service helps adults who are leaving hospital, some for the first time in many years, to reintegrate with the world and establish a way of living safely with their eating disorder as they work towards recovery. The service also helps to prevent hospitalisation by providing tailored care packages with access to medical monitoring, specialist nursing, therapists, and dieticians. Bramacare also offers community support and day care activities for local people to help manage their eating disorder or disordered eating. If you, or someone you know, could be struggling with an eating disorder, please contact your GP in the first instance and use trusted resources from charities like Beat who can guide you towards finding the right help. Company: Bramacare Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0) 1473 740 872 Website: www.bramacare.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==