The Pool Activity Level (PAL) instrument for occupational profiling - Jackie Pool

The Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument has become generally used as the framework for activity-based care systems in a variety of health and social care settings for people with cognitive impairments. The Instrument is recommended for daily living skills training and activity planning in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline for Dementia (NICE, 2006). The PAL checklist has also been proved valid and reliable by a recent research study.

This third edition includes valuable new material together with the Instrument itself and the photocopiable activity checklists and plans that help to match users' abilities with activities. A new section provides a selection of potential activities together with information on obtaining the necessary resources. The author includes guidance for carrying out these activities with individuals of different ability levels as revealed by the PAL Instrument Checklist.

An essential resource for any practitioner or carer wanting to provide fulfilling occupation for clients with cognitive impairments.

Jackie Pool is an Occupational Therapist specialising in the development and provision of programmes and materials for leadership and workforce development in dementia care. She sat on the National Dementia Strategy Reference Group and was commissioned by Skills for Care to write the QCF dementia units for the national health and social care qualifications. She has published extensively and speaks at many conferences in the field of dementia care. Jackie's website can be found at www.jackiepoolassociates.org.

This is an excellent resource that demonstrates how life history can be integrated into record keeping and then transferred into the care routines of people with cognitive impairment, enabling them to engage in meaningful activity. I feel this instrument has particular relevance for care workers and activity co-ordinators in residential environments. I would recommend this instrument as part of the assessment of older people with cognitive impairment on entering residential environments.
Dementia Journal

Although designed for professionals and those involved in the care of dementia sufferers, the ideas outlined may also be of great benefit to those working with or caring for those with cognitive impairments of any age from school age upwards. I have found the PAL instrument very useful with both children and adults who have profound and multiple learning disabilities...The book would be invaluable in any care setting where these conditions are prevalent.
PMLD Journal

The third edition of the Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument for Occupational Profiling remains a practical and accessible guide for the formal care staff and informal carers of people who have a cognitive impairment associated with stroke, a dementia of learning disability. The instrument is made up of a checklist and protocols to aid planning of activities.
International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

The third edition of the "PAL Instrument" is a welcome reminder of the importance of meaningful activity for people with cognitive impairment. The theoretical underpinnings of the PAL is presented concisely and early on giving enough depth to satisfy the interested reader whether they have a professional background or not. It is followed by a short list of key references useful for those who may wish to look at the relevant theory in more depth.
The London Centre for Dementia Care

One of the fears that many people have about coming into the community or institutions setting for care is the potential for boredom. Many people still hold the image of the resident's lounge in a residential care home as a place with chairs pushed up against the wall, with a television set switched on and nobody really taking any notice of anything. Jackie Pool, has provided a third edition of the Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument, which has become generally used as the framework for activity based care systems in a variety of health and care settings. It is to be commended as an essential resource for any practitioner wanting to provide fulfilling occupation for clients with cognitive impairments.
Leveson Centre Newsletter

Praise for the first edition:

'An extremely practical resource with photocopiable activity checklists, personal profile records and outcome sheets.the resource is well presented and easy to read and it flows. The inclusion of short case studies provides the reader with workable illustrations so that at no point is he or she left unsure as to how ideas might be translated into practice.'

The British Journal of Occupational Therapy

It is a good aid in training staff in residential care settings, to enrich and improve the quality of the life of those with cognitive impairment.
Older People and Occupational Therapy