How would occupational therapy benefit you? Many people aren’t sure what an occupational therapist (OT) does and how an OT could help them achieve their goals within their NDIS plan. Occupational therapists work across several areas, so let’s look at one example.
Comprehensive Assessment To Define Areas of Difficulty
Let me tell you a story about one of our participants. Let’s call him John. He had a leg amputation and was wearing a prosthetic leg. When the Therapy Circles OT visited John, he could see that John could not shower alone. He was sitting on the floor to shower because there wasn’t a good setup for him to manage by himself. He also seemed anxious and disappointed that he wasn’t more independent. John was also experiencing falls at home.
Here’s the first thing to understand about Occupational Therapy – OTs look at your personal skills and function, your capacity to be able to complete activities important to you, and examine your environment to determine what needs to change so that you can be more independent and at less risk of injury. The OT learnt more about how John showers and accesses the toilet and other problems he has around his home.
Goal Setting
John needed an interpreter to speak with our OT. Through the interpreter, our OT asked John, “Let’s talk about all the different things you’re struggling with.” John and his OT collaborated to decide on his goals and looked at equipment that might help him do these things safely and independently.
Liaison With Equipment Suppliers & Builders
Once our OT understood the problems and potential solutions, he could liaise with equipment suppliers and builders to visit John’s house for joint visits to assess the best way to install things in the home. Our OT then wrote an extensive report to NDIS for the funding required for these items and to document how they would help John be independent. There can be many solutions to a problem. Our Occupational Therapist will work with you to find the solutions that best match your needs. They can also help you explore funding options for that equipment through NDIS.
Installation of Shower Equipment Leads To Independence
Over the next nine months, the OT arranged the installation of grab rails in the toilet. He also organised a handheld shower and a shower stool. John went from sitting on the floor using a bucket to pour water on himself to sitting with dignity in the shower and using the handheld shower to shower himself.
Installation of Kitchen Stool Enables Greater Participation In Tasks
Once the OT resolved John’s self-care issues, the OT explored other areas where John wanted more independence. He was keen to help more around the house with cooking and washing dishes. The OT arranged a high stool chair, which improved John’s access to the stove for cooking and the sink for washing dishes by himself.
Safer Access To The Home
Our OT arranged for a ramp to be installed at John’s home so he would not risk falling down the stairs.
Improved Mobility Improved Community Access
Our OT realised that John couldn’t manage long distances due to fatigue. The OT arranged funding for a manual lightweight wheelchair to help him move himself longer distances. He can then go to more places with his support worker.
Changes Boost Confidence and Morale
The changes arranged by our occupational therapist mean that John can now do many things he couldn’t do before. He is happy and appreciative of the changes. He feels more confident in himself, and his overall mood has improved because he can care for himself and contribute to running the family home.
Are there day-to-day tasks that you can’t manage? Do you feel frustrated because you always have to rely on others? If you want to be more independent, please contact us, and we’ll arrange for an Occupational Therapist to explore some solutions with you. Perhaps, like John, you can feel more confident and happy once the right solutions are in place.
