OT for the Elderly

Our Occupational Therapists take a holistic approach when considering the needs of our elderly clients. We can help our clients and their carers identify what kind of support they need to remain independent and be as safe as possible in the longer term. Our therapist will visit you in your home to undertake an assessment to determine the best possible options available. Your Occupational Therapist will consider:

• How you are managing daily tasks like bathing, cooking and getting around.
• If you have any memory or psychological concerns that affect your daily life.
• If you have any issues about your personal safety at home like falling or tripping on uneven surfaces.
• If any equipment could help you around the house. For example, bath rails to help you shower.
• If you want to learn more about age-specific illnesses and how to prepare for the future.
• If your carers need support to help you and what kind of support is needed.
• If you would like to go to community and leisure activities and how this can be organised.

Our therapists are experienced working with clients with a range of medical and health conditions including Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairments, vision and hearing loss, malnutrition and frailty. We can assist with achieving the following:

• Improving safety by identifying and eliminating potential hazards.
• Modifying the home to improve liveability.
• Recommending assisting technology solutions, to improve mobility and transfers.
• Assessing driving and other forms of getting around such as public transport.
• Planning for the future, including retirement, mobility changes or increased severity of illness symptoms.
• Recommending changes to daily routines to improve lifestyle.
• Connecting clients with support services for tasks such as household cleaning and maintenance.

There are a range of funding options for people aged over 65 years. This could include a home care package, short term restorative care program or other funding program depending on your eligibility. Our therapists will work with your funding co-ordinator to identify priorities and goals to ensure effective use of available funds. Some solutions may be deemed high risk / high cost and involve in-depth reporting and analysis for approval. Smaller low-cost solutions may be funded immediately. Rest assured that your Occupational Therapist will assist you through the process and ensure that your needs are appropriately addressed.