Unique partnership benefits inner city residents

Clients of Calgary’s Mustard Seed social agency have benefitted from a program that sees University of Alberta’s occupational therapy students prepare them for independent and responsible living.

Two students worked with clients for six weeks, assessing them while they were doing everyday duties, such as preparing lunch, handling their finances, or shopping for groceries, and then determined where each client might benefit from some one-on-one assistance.
 “They are non-traditional types of occupational therapy applications but it’s basically seeing how well someone can live life independently,” said Ty Ragan, The Mustard Seed’s case worker who supervised the program.

 If the client couldn’t live independently, then it was determined what modifications or resources were needed to allow the client the greatest degree of independence.
“It really helped to develop their self-awareness,” said Ragan. “Some have been homeless for a long time, but once they are given the tools to show and explain what they need help with, they gain confidence.”

The students integrated seamlessly with the clients and the culture of The Mustard Seed and the benefits were mutual.

 “Occupational therapists are concerned with the daily activities that we do, from what gets us out of bed in the morning. Can we do our basic self-care routine? As we age those activities become more difficult, so sometimes that’s an issue. And then the rest of the day, are they accomplishing their tasks with the most ease,” said Jutta Hinrichs, the clinical education co-ordinator for the University of Alberta in Calgary.

The partnership between the U of A and The Mustard Seed began a few years ago when funding made it impossible to continue having a full-time OT on staff.
 “The U of A likes to send students to placements where there is a need for services but at the same time, they are gaining a learning experience,” said Hinrichs.

In the high needs inner city area, students gained considerable knowledge and personal development as well. Students worked with male, female and people of all ages, helping them do all the things that they need to do in their lives.

Overall, the OT students are master-level trained in a two-year program and they engage in five clinical placements totalling over 1,000 hours.

“I was impressed at how open the clients were at having us in their lives and telling us their stories. We were offering help but they weren’t obligated to work with us, but they were willing to participate,” said Danielle Costello, who was one of the students at The Mustard Seed.

The experience has made a huge impact on her life. “The demonstration of the strength of human spirit was unbelievable,” she said. “Some individuals have had such challenge in their lives but they continue looking for new tools to help them succeed. It was a win-win situation all the way.”