Occupational Therapists are trained professionals who assist people with psychological, developmental, emotional or physical impairments to participate as fully as possible in everyday life. This includes helping seniors adapt to new ways of doing activities and modifying their environment to suit their needs as a response to illness or age related conditions. Occupational therapy has become increasingly relevant for assisting seniors who want to maintain their independence.
At Aged Care Rehabilitation Services (ACRS), our Occupational Therapists have a special interest in aged care including supporting older people to recover from illness, prevent falls, and manage everyday tasks. By improving a patient’s functional ability, they not only give them greater independence, but reduce the load on carers and residential aged care staff.
ACRS provides accredited Occupational Therapists to work in house in a wide range of residential aged care facilities and home care environments.
Our Occupational Therapists can assist with:
- In-Home Occupational Therapy
- Home-based environmental assessments
- Functional and cognitive assessments and intervention
- Specialist equipment prescription, including seating and positioning
- Upper limb assessment and treatment
- Ergonomic assessments
- Dementia care programs
- Staff training
- Reablement programs
Home-based environmental assessments
Home-based environmental assessments by a qualified Occupational Therapist help support aging in place for older Australians who wish to live independently. Our Therapists will visit the client’s home to undertake an assessment that ensures the environment is set up to help keep them safe and independent in their environment. ACRS services are available direct to individuals and as part of home care packages.
Professional Occupational Therapists may recommend modifications to the home environment to improve safety and accessibility as well as provide education, advice and support to clients to enable them to manage independent living.
Specialist equipment prescription, including seating and positioning
Our Occupational Therapists are experienced in equipment prescription to assist older people, including seating and positioning. They offer clinical assessment, advice, product recommendations and trials and educational support, for both aged care settings and home care environments.
Our OTs consider the most effective seating and positioning systems considering various factors including mobility and posture needs, safety, injury management, continence care and comfort.
Reablement programs
OT-designed reablement programs help clients regain and maintain independence, mobility and confidence following an illness or injury. Reablement programs may include assessment of changes in a person’s functional capacity, development of exercise plans, prescription of assistive equipment, engagement activities including creative therapies, social interaction and education in self-care and life skills.
The aim of reablement programs is to assist clients to live independently and regain confidence in their ability to do so, with the support of an Occupational Therapist.
