In August both Louise Absalom and myself had a skype meeting with Krista Hamel-Smith who is the General Manager of the Caribbean kids and Family Therapy Organization (CKFTO) in Trinidad in the West Indies.
From the CKFTO Website –
Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organization (CKFTO) is a registered non-profit organisation formed in 2008 in Trinidad with a mission to provide therapy and support services to all children in need.
CKFTO specializes in paediatric assessment and direct treatment for children experiencing developmental, physical, cognitive, behavioural, emotional, learning, social, and communicational challenges, in a family focused, compassionate clinical setting. CKFTO recognizes that the child is the sum of more than him/herself and as a result have developed and incorporated into its programming inclusion of parents, siblings, school and the community. This inclusive approach is all encompassing, and allows CKFTO to treat the complete person and to help them realize their fullest potential.
The services they provide include –
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is the therapeutic use of purposeful and meaningful activities to promote health and wellness. Occupational therapy at CKFTO focuses on the promotion of fine motor, perceptual, cognitive and developmental skills in children with various levels of special needs and learning differences. Through a family-centred approach, we address the specific needs of each child and the individuals in that child’s world.
Occupational Therapy Services
- Occupational Therapy – Direct one on one therapy, and case management that is client specific.
- Assessments – Individualized assessment and treatment programs with measurable goals and transparent communication of progress towards these goals with each family.
- Group Therapy Programs – Children with special needs often have difficulty connecting with others due to the lack the communication, social interaction, and play skills needed for developing relationships with their peers. Group programs allow children to practice the skills they have learned in a new environment under the guidance of a trained therapist.
- Consultations – With parents, professionals and schools.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is a holistic form of therapy that involves the skilful use of music used as a therapeutic tool to restore, maintain and/or improve a person’s physical, emotional, social, cognitive and psychological well-being. Music is a universal language; its unique qualities make it an effective and distinctive mode of therapy for both children and adults of varying needs, abilities and challenges. Music provides a positive and creative outlet for self-expression and personal growth. Music can stimulate many brain centres simultaneously such as auditory, sensory, visual, motor and emotional. It can stimulate right brain function while increasing bilateral activity between brain hemispheres. It can also assist in integrating/internalizing motor skills, increase reflexive, auditory, tactile and visual responses. Music can help bridge the gap between verbal and non-verbal expression with one’s self and one’s environment.
Aqua Therapy
Uses the buoyancy of water to facilitate movements not achievable outside the aquatic environment. The hydrostatic pressure of the water provides a blanket of deep pressure to the child’s largest organ: the skin. Unique properties of the water allow children to work on development skills such as crawling, walking, rolling and jumping.
Support Services
Caribbean Kids and Families recognizes the importance of supporting the child’s family and will play host to various support groups to help family members understand they are not alone, although it may feel like it at times. We plan to offer parent, grandparent, father and sibling support groups.
- HOPE Support Group – Helping Our Parents to become Empowered: A parental/caregiver support group for families of children with special needs, where parents can come to find out parenting tips, information, solutions, education, support and understanding.
- Sibshops ® – A support group for children with siblings with special needs. Sibshops ® are best described as opportunities for brothers and sisters who have a sibling with special needs to obtain peer support and education within a recreational setting.
Camps
A variety of day-camps are held during holiday breaks, including:
- Therapy camp – an intensive therapeutic camp, combining a multi disciplinary team using fun camp activities.
- Sib-camp – camp for children with special needs and their siblings to explore each others strengths and weakness as well as have a chance to meet other families who have children with special needs.
- Alert Camp – a two week intensive for children with sensory modulation issues and attention issues. Designed to teach children how to “change their engine” and help them stay alert throughout the day.
- Motor Camp – An activity camp for children ages 3 to 10 with moderate to severe motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries.
Lending Library
We offer an extensive library of recommended therapeutic books, CDs and DVDs for families, teachers and professionals to access.
Resource Room
Available to family members, teachers of children with special needs and the children themselves. The resource room will provide information and assistance through a library, computer programs, assistive technology and the use of the internet.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy, also referred to as physical therapy, involves evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a range of diseases, disorders, and disabilities using physical means. Practiced by physiotherapists or physical therapists, physiotherapy is considered within the realm of conventional medicine.
I also spoke to Karen Fox and Capri Smith, both who work and live in Bermuda. Karen works as the Activities Coordinator at the Lafroy House Care Community in Bermuda.
From The Lafroy House Web-site –
Lefroy House Care Community
The Lefroy House Care Community is a government owned, multi-level elder care home that promotes purpose, fun, and spontaneity in the lives of elders. It sits on attractive and spacious grounds just outside of Dockyard in Sandys Parish. The care home is within easy reach of shops, on the public transportation route and can accommodate 40 elders.
Lefroy House provides long-term residential, personal, and nursing services to successfully placed elders in a home environment. The care community offers the following programmes and services:
- 24-hour personal and nursing care
- physician, nutritionist, pharmacy, dental, physiotherapy, occupational, and speech therapy
- chiropody
- recreation, including outings for residents
- adult day care
- laundry
Capri works as the Activities Coordinator at The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Bermuda’s largest hospital.
From The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Web-site –
In comfortable settings, we strive to deliver the finest in senior care, and are recognised within our community for both quality and compassion. Our efforts are guided by a stringent set of internal standards that enhance the care we provide, including:
- Fostering patient/resident independence;
- Preserving dignity and respect;
- Providing personalised service and treatment plans and goals; protecting patient/resident privacy;
- Nurturing the spirit while fostering individuality;
- Encouraging open communication and participation of family and friends; and
- Collaborating with local community services groups and agencies who specialise in meeting the needs of seniors and sub-acute patients.
Our Team
Quality care means achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients and residents. Our team of interdisciplinary professionals, who have special training in caring for seniors and those with short-term rehabilitation needs, includes physicians and nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, pharmacists, dietitians and nutritionists, social workers, chaplains, an activities coordinator, and patient and staff educators. Together we ensure that the appropriate level of care is provided at all times.
Our Patients
We provide treatment and care for persons with low potential for recovery who are not in an acute phase of illness, but require an intensity of services that are not available in nursing homes.
Our Resident Family Council meetings provide ample opportunities for teaching and giving support for patients, families and significant others.
Both Karen and Capri are happy to be on DTA’s International Contacts list and are looking forward to being part of the International Forum.
I came across some English speaking nursing homes in France, Israel and Spain and have sent them emails extending an invitation for them to join our International Contacts list and International Forum which will be up and running very soon.
Darren Robinson
International Liaison Board Member
Diversional Therapy Australia