Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is concerned with human occupation and its importance in health for persons of all ages. The occupational therapist evaluates the physical, psychosocial and environmental factors which reduce a person's ability to participate in everyday activities of occupation.

Therapeutic objectives are achieved through techniques or activities designed to

• diminish and control pathology;
• restore and/or reinforce functional capacity;
• facilitate learning of skills and function essential for adaptation or productivity.

The occupational therapist uses selected activity to prevent and overcome many physical, emotional and social disabilities in people of all ages. The objective is to promote, maintain or restore functional independence in daily living skills. Occupational therapy teaches, maintains and promotes competent behaviour in the areas of living, learning and working, to individuals experiencing deficits and/or physical and psychological dysfunction or who are otherwise at risk.

The aim of occupational therapy at the Society is to evaluate the physical, psychosocial and environmental factors which reduce the Member's ability to participate in everyday activities of daily life. As a result of this evaluation, various activities and processes are introduced to help the person to participate in these everyday activities of daily life once again.

These processes and activities can include assessment, advice, information, referral, counselling, training and assistance in the following areas

• Self care
• Mobility - manual and electric wheelchairs, driving and vehicle access.
• Communication - verbal and written.
• Independent Living - cooking, cleaning and managing the household.
• Leisure
• Work
• Access - to and within the home, workplace and community.

The aims of these processes and activities are to

• restore and/or maintain functional capacity;
• facilitate learning of skills and function essential for adaptation or productivity; and
• assist the promotion, maintenance or restoration of functional independence in daily living skills.

For more information, please contact the Manager on telephone 9365 4833