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Our Supports

Clinical Supports

KARE provides a range of clinical supports including:

Occupational Therapy: for more information click here

Physiotherapy: for more information click here

Psychology and Behaviour Support: for more information click here

Social Work: for more information click here

Speech and Language Therapy: for more information click here

 

Our offices for Clinical Supports are located in McMahon Centre, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. However, work may take place at other locations like:

  • Home
  • Schools
  • Preschools
  • Community
  • Local services
  • anywhere that the person lives, works or plays.

You can get more information on Clinical Supports by emailing pauline.byrne@kare.ie or by phoning 045-480200

 


Occupational Therapy

 

What do we do?

  • Occupational therapists work with people to support them to do the things they need and want to do in every day life.
  • We help people to achieve their goals in the area of “work/play, self care and leisure”
  • We look at the person, the task and the environment to help with achieving a goal.

 

Things we can help with:

  • Seating, like wheelchairs
  • Aids and appliances – bath aids, toilet aids etc
  • Hand function and perceptual skills (e.g. handwriting, cutting etc.)
  • Helping with sensory seeking/avoiding behaviours
  • Teaching independent self care skills (feeding, dressing, toileting)
  • Postural difficulties, developing gross motor skills
  • Developing play skills
  • Assistive technology – computers/environmental control units
  • Environmental adaptations – making environments more accessible for people
  • Manual handling advice
  • Training others

 


Physiotherapy

 

What do we do?

  • We help a person to be more independent in moving in their environment
  • We also help to keep muscles and joints healthy
  • We help people manage their pain in different ways 

 

Things we can help with:

  • Exercise, strengthening or stretching programmes
  • Pain management programmes
  • Providing equipment (walkers, standers, etc)
  • Providing orthotics (splints and footwear)
  • Advice to service users, family and staff
  • Linking with external medical support (Orthopaedic, Respiratory, etc)
  • Training staff and families
  • Respiratory Care
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Manual handling advice

 


Psychology Dept

 

What do we do?

We offer service users emotional, educational and behavioural support towards achieving a better life. To do this we also work with families and staff.

 

Things we can help with:

We will help with what the person tells us they need, what the family needs or what the staff needs. No two inputs are exactly alike. We are often asked for help in the following ways:

  • Counselling/therapy
  • Understanding Behaviour
  • Quality of Life Issues
  • Advocacy
  • Assessment and Programme development
  • Mental Health Concerns
  • Social Skills Development
  • Relationship and Sexuality Issues
  • Employment Issues
  • Aging
  • Bereavement/ Loss
  • Training
  • Non-Accidental Injury/Abuse

 


Behaviour Support Team

 

What do we do?

 We help people with serious behavioural problems that stop them from developing and using their potential for more independent living in their communities.

 

We do this through:

  • Detailed assessment which helps to develop an understanding of why the behaviour may be happening
  • Developing Positive Behaviour Support Plans known as Multi-Element Behaviour Support Plans. These plans include:
  • Environmental Changes
  • Skills Teaching
  • Direct Ways to Manage the Behaviour
  • Reactive Strategies which help to manage a crisis situation
  • Supporting families and staff
  • Providing training in relation to the person’s plan

 


Social Work

 

What do we do?

We focus on the service user and families’ strengths and abilities to:

  • Support them at times of crisis to manage and cope with their situation
  • Give ongoing support to meet their needs
  • Help access the supports and services they require so that they can find solutions to meet their needs

We do this through

  • Advocacy, Mediation and Empowerment
  • Managing Protection and Welfare concerns/issues
  • Assessment of need
  • Planning Short Breaks/ Respite
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Counselling and Support
  • Support in Bereavement and Loss
  • Future Life Planning
  • Taking part in Intake, transfer and discharge of service users
  • Staff training
  • Information on Welfare and Entitlements
  • Help the development of Kare policies
  • Help with planning of Kare services

 


Speech & Language Therapy

 

What do we do?

There are many ways to express language. Speaking, using sign language, using pictures or photos, writing, and using computerized communication devices are some of the most common ones. A speech-language therapist helps people communicate to the best of their ability.

 

Things we can help with:

  • Alternative and Augmentative Communication (e.g., pictures, devices, sign language)
  • Feeding, Eating, Drinking, and Swallowing
  • Articulation/Oral Motor
  • Understanding Language
  • Expressing Language
  • Social Skills
  • Communication Skills for Activities of Daily Living
  • Training for staff, community, families, and service users