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Occupational Therapy

What is an Occupational Therapist?

An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a university trained allied health professional, providing practical strategies to help you improve your ability to complete the things that you want or need to do. Often this is daily activities such as going to the bathroom, dressing, cooking or cleaning. An OT can also help you at work, school and in activities that you enjoy.

An OT will meet with you to discuss the strengths and difficulties in your daily life.

An OT may be able to assist you with:

  • Increasing your independence in completing personal or domestic activities i.e. cooking, sleeping, cleaning
  • Increasing your ability to participate in activities you enjoy
  • Helping you gain access to services such as the NDIS, community groups, My Aged Care
  • Increasing your function and independence in school or the workplace
  • Reducing your risk of falls in the home or community
  • Driver screening tests

Who can see an Arthritis ACT Occupational Therapist?

It is not necessary to have a referral to an Arthritis ACT OT. However you may be referred to an OT for specific reasons such as driver screening; being assessed for suitable equipment aids; learning ways to increase your independence; as part of rehabilitation.

If you have a GP Management Plan you may be eligible for Medicare rebated visits to allied health professionals (called an EPC Plan). You need to discuss this with your regular GP and let our reception staff or OT know that you have one when discussing booking an appointment.

*Note the plan cannot cover visits prior to the date on the EPC plan or be back dated.

What should I expect from my consultation?

An OT will contact you to go through what to expect during the consultation and what fees are involved. A time and place will be arranged between you and the OT. Fees are expected to be paid as billed.

Reports will be provided once completed, not at the time of consultation, as each report takes time to write, especially to add further information that may be specific to your consultation or report needs.

The consultation may include:

  • Observing you completing tasks, in your home, school or work environment, to gain further understanding about what could assist you
  • Setting goals with you to work on and achieve
  • Looking at ways to modify tasks such as training on different ways to complete a task or by trialling equipment or technology to do so
  • Looking at ways to change the environment such as changing the physical environment to improve safety or access, or recommending accommodations at your school or work (i.e. height adjustable desk, wobble cushion, shorter work or study days, frequent breaks, extra time to complete exams)
  • Discussing any reports needed, based on the OT’s assessment and findings
  • Asking you to provide feedback, monitor your progress to meet your goals and make changes as agreed with you

Home Modifications

Charged by the hour

Home modifications are changes made to adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so they can continue to live independently and safely. These modifications may include adding assistive technology or making structural changes to a home. You may need modifications if you:

  • Have safety concerns or difficulty moving around your home
  • Have trouble with personal care, like using your shower
  • Can not use the rooms you need to use in your home
  • Have difficulty pursuing your goals in your home because of your disability
  • Need changes to your home so your carers can support you safely

An Arthritis ACT OT can provide minor home modification recommendations for safety and access such as grab rail, installing a ramp, easy to use taps. The OT will work with you and service providers to get quotes, organise trials of equipment and develop a plan.

*Note: NDIS funded minor home modifications are home modifications that don’t change the structural parts of the home or cost more than $20,000.

Functional Assessments

Charged by the hour

A functional assessment is a complete evaluation of your ability to perform everyday tasks. It goes beyond simply looking at physical capabilities and also considers cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of functioning. Functional assessments can benefit individuals of all ages and with a wide range of needs.

Functional assessments help identify your strengths and areas where you may need support or help. The assessment helps determine the type and level of support you need to do everyday activities. The findings of a functional assessment are used to develop goals and strategies to improve your independence and quality of life.

Occupational therapists use a variety of methods to conduct functional assessments, including observation, interviews and standardised assessments.

Functional capacity assessments (FCAs) are often used to guide the development of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plans.

After the assessments, the OT will provide advice on the type of equipment, home modifications, therapy and more that you may need to lead a satisfying life. Any reports required will be available as discussed with you.

Fees apply for all assessments.

Driving Assessments

Charged by the hour

Driver screening is an assessment process for anyone who has a medical condition, disability or injury that may impact on their ability to drive safely.

Our qualified and registered Occupational Therapy Driver Assessor will assess a person’s vision, physical and cognitive abilities related to driving.

Providing:

  • Advice on driving aids and or vehicle modifications
  • Liaison with vehicle modification engineers
  • Rehabilitation program
  • Reports

Driver Screening is by appointment only. Off road assessments may be eligible for Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) Medicare rebate. Requires the signing of a service agreement prior to any assessment commencing.

Off Road Assessments are undertaken without driving a car.

On Road Assessments are performed in a vehicle with our occupational therapist and a driving instructor. An Off Road assessment must be done prior to the on road assessment.

Eligibility:

  • You must be over 16 years and 9 months of age
  • Hold a current valid driver licence or learner permit
  • Have a completed driver medical assessment form
  • GP referral if over the age of 65 years

What you need to provide:

  • Any reports about any medical conditions, disabilities or injuries
  • Completed driver medical form
  • Support person
  • EPC referral if applicable

Results and Reports: the OT will let you know the result of the assessments and provide reports when completed as discussed with you. Reports can be sent to you and/or Licencing Authority/Insurer/Doctor/Therapist.