The ability to maintain independence while ageing in place is a key focus at Home Care Assistance, hence we often work very closely with a special group of experts called Occupational Therapists (OT) who are vital in supporting safe and effective participation in all of life’s daily activities as a senior.
Who is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapy is an AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registered, degree-based allied health profession focused on enabling people to participate in activities of daily living safely and more easily. An Occupational Therapist will perform ongoing assessments to understand what activities a person can do, what activities a person wants to do, and assess any limitations or barriers in doing these activities. They provide advice, techniques, and equipment to support a person to engage in activities more easily and safely.
How does Occupational Therapy help someone remain at home?
The ageing process can bring increased challenges with balance and/or coordination, memory loss, confusion, vision loss, and hearing loss, which can lead to changes in a person’s ability to participate independently in activities of everyday life. Occupational Therapists play a key role in facilitating independence to those ageing in place, in aged care facilities, and in hospitals. For those living in their own homes, OT’s work with them to:
- Provide fall prevention education and environmental changes to make their home safe.
- Recommend aids to facilitate independence such as shower rails, shower stool, adaptive seating, or wheelchairs.
- Prescribe a range of strategies and techniques, such as joint protection techniques and work or rest routines to help with energy conservation and pacing.
- Provide education and advice to families and Carers to help manage better with age-specific illnesses such as dementia.
- Participate in leisure activities and re-engage in social activities.
How can I access an Occupational Therapist?
Commonwealth Home Support Package: You may be eligible for funded Occupational Therapy services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) which is an entry-level program for older people who need some help with daily tasks to live independently at home.
Home Care Package: If your needs are determined to be greater than entry-level, you may be granted one of four levels of the Home Care Package. The Home Care Package Program (HCP) is positioned between the CHSP and residential aged care. Individuals work together with Home Care service providers to tailor a care plan to meet their needs, and this can and often includes the provision of Occupational Therapy assessment and services. Find more information here.
How does Home Care Assistance work with Occupational Therapy?
Our experienced team at Home Care Assistance are a great support to achieving your loved one’s occupational therapy goals. If your loved one needs to attend OT appointments, we can help coordinate the appointment schedule as well as provide transportation to and from the clinic ensuring they get there on time and maintain a regular schedule. If your loved one is receiving in-home sessions from an OT, we can support any given program ensuring home exercise is being achieved in the prescribed way as well as helping with the use of specialised prescribed equipment in a safe and therapeutically effective manner.
An Occupational Therapist can make a world of difference in maximising and maintaining a person’s independence and support their goal to remain in their own home.
Being able to independently manage the daily activities that they need and want to perform not only helps your loved one to remain in their own home, but also provides peace of mind to families. For more information on Occupational Therapy for your ageing in place loved one, contact Home Care Assistance today.
