Occupational Therapy

What is in Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapists are health professionals that are trained to assist in promoting, maintaining or restoring functional independence in all aspects of daily living.

Occupational Therapists:

  • Aim to assist people to overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional conditions, developmental delay or effects of aging.
  • Their goals are to assist individuals to move from dependence to be as independent as possible despite their limitations.
  • Aim to facilitate increased safety at home and in the community.

Why do some people need Occupational Therapists?

Occupational Therapists work with people that have limitations related to a number of conditions, eg: stroke, head injury, orthopaedic conditions, arthritis, cardiac conditions and general aging.

Occupational Therapists can provide therapeutic interventions in hospital, residential settings and in the community.

Interventions may include:

  • Assessment of Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) - personal, domestic and community.
  • Specific intervention to improve neuromuscular skills - sensory and motor retraining, upper limb management and splinting.
  • Cognitive Retraining - eg: Memory, concentration, attention etc
  • Providing education on ways to live with chronic illness or impairment, eg: work simplifications, energy conservation and falls prevention.
  • Maintenance programs designed to maintain current levels of physical function
  • Assessment and modification of home environment to improve independence and safety in and around the home.
  • Prescription of and education in the use of a variety of equipment and aids to assist function / independence.
  • Scooter / Wheelchair prescriptions
  • Pressure Care
  • Emergency Alarm System applications

How do you arrange to see an Occupational Therapist?

You can self refer by contacting Numurkah Community Health Centre by providing detalis such as Name, Address, Date of Birth and reason for referral. Your local General Practitioner can also refer you (or any other health professional (District Nurse)).

Please feel free to contact us on (03)58620560 should you have any enquiries.