AdaptAbility Training

01/05/2026

What an exciting week!

🔸 Travelled 650 km for 2 conferences
🔸 Connected with over 120 delegates
🔸 Facilitated 8 workshops with Jayne Brewer
🔸 Enjoyed Jo De Clercq’s inspiring presentation

And still squeezed in a photo with Iain Glen from Game of Thrones 🤩

Congrats to the team from Accora UK and Ireland for this fantastic event

12/03/2026

🎬 Presented my 1st webinar today!

🗣️ Topic was ‘Access Slings & Standing Hoists’

Like any manual handling equipment these 2 items in the right hands with the right training and used with the right person can be invaluable! But in the wrong hands … 🤦‍♀️

🕵️‍♀️ When we’re using Access or Hygiene slings, can we please make sure that the sling doesn’t win the battle to determine someone’s position!

02/03/2026

Looking forward to discussing Access Slings & Standing Hoists - the good, the bad and the ugly!

With: Accora Academy & Nicky Philips (OT)

When: Thursday 12th of March @ 11:00

Check out details on:

https://accora.care/ie/academy/webinars

01/03/2026

Very excited to be involved in this conference - see below for details!

16/02/2026

Slings, slings and more slings!

Working today on a sling project with Meath Primary Care OTs Finola Dunne & Cathriona Reilly

Reviewed our draft Assessment Tool for Access Slings - considerations, criteria and what to look out for during a controlled trial.

Now to pilot and see how it does in real life!

31/12/2025

🌅 As the sun sets on 2025, it’s time to reflect on the year. The ‘highs’ which have been celebrated and shared with people and in social media, but also the professional ‘lows’ which were the tough times and challenges we faced along the way.

🙏 A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me this year to continue to work as a private Occupational Therapist and Moving & Handling trainer.

🤗 We are excited to see what 2026 has in store for AdaptAbility Training!

🎉🎉🎉 Happy New Year to You All 🎉🎉🎉

16/12/2025

❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓

Would you let a learner driver take your car onto the road after they have just watched you drive?

❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓

I know I wouldn’t 😅

Similarly then how can someone be safe to use a hoist having only watched a demo?

If you are a manager or school principal responsible for training staff, please be aware of the difference between ‘hoist training’ and an equipment demonstration.

At AdaptAbility, we break down each step of the hoisting process to teach correct techniques and ensure skill development. All of the ‘test runs’ happen in a safe, simulated environment where people can build confidence with hands on practice.

Contact us today to discuss ‘Hoist Training’ or other courses - help@adaptabilitytraining.ie

23/10/2025

⚠️ Don’t try this at home! Experimenting with slings on my own today and thankfully managed to stay in one piece!!

🤝 Excited to be working with Meath Occupational Therapy Service on an initiative to improve assessment and prescription of moving and handling equipment in particular low support slings.

🎥 Recorded some videos today to share with OT colleagues and analyse what happens in your body as you are lifted with an access/hygiene sling.



Finola Dunne Cathriona Reilly

16/10/2025

👶 ‘First Time Hoisters’ and their reactions

🔹 I always find it amusing when someone is being hoisted from bed (during training) and they go rigid with their legs stretched straight out in front as shown in the picture below. When the security of the bed surface is being taken away, you can see the anxiety come into their face. They are so concerned with holding on and trying to trust the sling, that they are oblivious to what their bottom half is doing and forget that they can actually bend their knees! With a little prompt they relax and become aware of their position.

🔸 This is the reaction of a person who is physically fit and healthy, with the ability to process what is happening and understand that they are safe. Their automatic stress response is still triggered and because they can’t fight or flee, they freeze!

🔹 Now consider what it must be like for someone with pain, joint stiffness, confusion and sensory processing issues; what an uncomfortable experience this must be for them. For someone with advanced dementia each time may feel like the first time. Every step needs careful consideration and planning, with good communication and slow, gentle handling throughout.

🔖 Hoist training and bespoke courses available - come and see what your reaction will be!

Email: help@adaptabilitytraining.ie

Check out our website www.adaptabilitytraining.ie

07/10/2025

🥷 Private OTs - the ‘Liam Neesons’ of healthcare

🥋 As a private Occupational Therapist, I have come to realise that we all have a particular set of skills, and aren’t afraid to use them! Occupational therapists all receive the same undergraduate qualification but with extra training and experience can go on to become experts in a chosen field.

👩‍🦽‍➡️ With my background and training I work in many healthcare settings. More recently I have also started to work with schools around moving & handling; training staff how to assist students with physical difficulties and use hoists or other assistive equipment when needed.

❓ At the end of each training there is always a question about a student who can move, walk or stand but chooses not to! It may be a child who goes to the floor deliberately or someone moving in a certain way to get sensory feedback. In this case safe handling techniques are not the issue; instead we need to figure out what the student is trying to tell us.

🚸 To help staff interpret these behaviours and implement strategies, I can recommend an OT colleague with extensive expertise in this area. Bridget Long of Connect OT, has worked with children for over 25 years and has devised webinars with very practical tips and advice to help teachers and SNAs understand and manage behaviours.

🙌 Sometimes it’s all about knowing who has the right set of skills for the job!

Find attached info on our in-person Manual Handling Training and Connect OT’s Sensory Webinars. Feel free to get in touch with any queries;

help@adaptabilitytraining.ie

20/09/2025

😥 Private practice can be daunting at times. You may be experienced clinically, but have no idea how to run a business!

💡 Events like this are essential for private therapists to share ideas and build new support networks.

👏 Well done to .aineodea, Jen Trzeciak from and Andy O’Gorman for seamless delivery, engaging content and creating lots of opportunities for networking.

As you can see from the photo, we felt totally relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed the day

19/09/2025