Care
Lived Through Past
A life story is a therapeutic approach that will help a person to acknowledge that their past ways of being in the world have been meaningful and purposeful and will help the person to explore conflicts.
Experienced Present
Life in the present with a neurological condition(s) may become overwhelming. Therapy aims to focus on the themes that may emerge as important to the person. This may not involve a medical and functional approach to care.
Anticipated Future
In the present, we anticipate the future with uncertainty. Therapy aims to help a person to discuss their existential concerns, and to document their needs, priorities, and preferences for future care in an advance care plan/advance directive.
CASE STUDY
James was a professional sportsman used to running around the football pitch in the winter, and playing tennis in the summer, when he first noticed something untoward was happening to him, he dropped his tennis racket. In the months that followed he underwent several neurological investigations and was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). He told his story of his life through his past, not focusing on himself in the present, despite the degenerative nature of the illness, but he did have many concerns for the future of his family once he passed away. Listening to his life story enabled me to understand the person in his world, the person behind his illness and what was important to him.
Testimonial
Just had a look over the website- I can't recommend the Lifeworld approach highly enough and would recommend it to anyone/family carers experiencing a long-term condition. I have followed this evidence-based research since the beginning and can see the difference it can bring.
Gemma Francis Cummins,
Expert Witness Occupational Therapist,
Manchester, UK
