​How to find the Right OT to meet your needs

Occupational therapists assist people to participate in everyday activities through overcoming barriers. Typically, occupational therapists complete assessments on the clients to assess their functional needs. They can recommend, trial and prescribe adaptive equipment with the aim of increasing independence or teach alternative techniques and or improve current skills in completing tasks. Occupational therapists can provide education to clients about their disabilities and may run wellness programs within the community.

Finding the right OT is dependent on the:

• Age of the client
• Client’s needs (what is the functional issue?)
• Location of client

At Patient Handling, we work with OT’s on a daily basis to ensure clients receive equipment which is best suited to their individual needs.  From Daily Living Aids and Mobility Aids all the way through to highly specified Roho Pressure Cushions, Molift Patient Lifters and TA Power Chairs, Patient Handling is committed to providing quality equipment to OT’s and their clients.

What are the main areas of practice?

Area of practice: Aged Care

Types of patients: Elderly clients with reduced functional mobilities or chronic conditions.

A brief list of what OT’s can do: Working with clients to assess for environmental factors that can contribute to falls and possible home modifications and adaptive equipment prescription to suit client’s needs.

Help clients manage their everyday occupations as clients are ageing and specialist OT’s can assess driver abilities.

Locations: Community- based private practice, hospital, residential care.

Area of practice: Work and Vocational Rehabilitation

Types of patients: Clients that are looking to return to work.

A brief list of what OT’s can do: Liaises between the client and the company to ensure best care and supports available for the client during recovery. Also, ensuring the work environment and work demands are safe and within the client’s capabilities to maximise work performance.

Locations: Rehab businesses, private practice.

Area of practice: Rehabilitation

Types of patients: Clients post injury/ surgery.

A brief list of what OT’s can do: Working with clients’ to regain “lost skills” and learn new ways to complete activities. OTs try to solve any issues clients may experience post-discharge with the aim to go home safely.

Locations: Rehab centres, public/private hospitals, private practice.

Area of practice: Paediatrics

Types of patients: Children with physical, learning disabilities, handwriting issues.

A brief list of what OT’s can do: Working both individually and in consultations with schools to assist the child to maximise engagement in school activities.

Locations: Hospitals, school, private practice.

Area of practice: Mental Health

Types of patients: Clients living with mental illness and readjusting to community life post hospital.

A brief list of what OT’s can do: Helping clients to engage and manage with daily life activities. OT’s can help support clients in regaining work/ volunteer work and can provide education programs such as stress management, readjusting to daily home demands, managing finances.

Locations: Community, hospitals, mental health facilities.