Why assessment and review in a STAR unit?
If you have been in the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee or any of our community hospitals following surgery, an illness, injury or stroke, and you may be uncertain as to your ability longer term to be able to return safely to your own home or homely setting, require ongoing intervention in a STAR facility.
If you are struggling at home with your mobility and day to day activities, your GP or health care professional may suggest a period of intervention within the STAR unit to support your rehabilitation at home, preventing you from potentially having to go into hospital as these facilities can offer 24-hour supervision and support short term. If this is the recommendation following a discussion with you and your family, you will be transferred to one of our STAR facilities for continued assessment and rehabilitation.
The aim of STAR units is to ensure that you have the best chance of achieving your personal goals, improving your independence and quality of life, whilst in a safe homely setting. We strive to support your progression and facilitate a return home wherever possible.
What should I expect?
Even though you will be in a unit within a care home setting, our multi-professional rehabilitation teams will still assess and treat you as if you were in your own home. You may likely meet a few members of the team including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, assistant practitioners and health care support workers.
The therapists will work with you to create a treatment programme that will help you achieve your personal goals and that might be in relation to your mobility, functional independence and confidence. It may also involve learning new skills, such as adaptive techniques, using equipment to support transfers (like on/off the toilet) or using a walking aid to help you walk. The Physiotherapist will work with you to improve things such as muscle strength, balance, coordination and mobility. The Occupational Therapist will work with you to improve your functional independence and the ability to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation and leisure/social activities. Our healthcare support workers can continue practicing your programme with you to build your confidence and ability to self-manage.
Throughout your programme there will be a regular reviews/updates regarding your progress and you will have a key worker that will co-ordinate the team around you and your needs. Any conversations will involve you and your family if you wish. Discussions will be focused the progression of meeting your goals and planning your discharge from the STAR unit. We work very closely with the unit staff, health and social care colleagues, and other professionals may be referred to as appropriate with your consent.
