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What’s your job for OT Week
After an illness or injury, Occupational Therapy (OT) can help people to regain skills they need as part of their daily life. Occupational Therapy Week (or OT Week) recognises this profession which plays a major role in helping everyday people, do everyday things.
Hunter New England Health Area Advisor for Occupational Therapy Margaret Turner said the week is an opportunity to educate the community about the diverse work undertaken by Occupational Therapists.
“OT’s are skilled in functional assessment and rehabilitation, promoting independence in tasks at home, work, school and leisure. We work with people to help them achieve goals and outcomes which are important to them and their lifestyle,” Ms Turner said.
Occupational Therapists work in the hospital and community to assess and treat people.
Senior Occupational Therapist at Tamworth Hospital, Trudy Wheeldon said there are three main areas within the health service an Occupational Therapist may work. At Tamworth, OT’s work in the hospital, within community health and include mental health and paediatric services. In smaller regional areas there is often a diverse and skilled OT providing service to multiple groups.
Occupational Therapists working in the hospitals are available to assess and treat people who have had a stroke, back and hand injuries, hip and knee replacements or heart conditions. OT’s can help improve the condition or management of it on a day-to-day basis, such as fatigue management or work simplification. This is to ensure a safe discharge from the hospital back home.
The community Occupational Therapist can also help a person with acquired brain injury, spinal injury, arthritis, neurological conditions, cancer and respiratory difficulties. An OT may assist with skills for living such as feeding, dressing and showering or domestic and work tasks.
Senior Occupational Therapist at Tamworth Community Health Service, Ms Katrina Wakely said we help a diverse range of groups and individual children and young people experiencing poor co-ordination, learning or behavioural difficulties or physical restrictions.
“Occupational Therapists working in mental health assist clients to regain their independence in the community by accessing a range of services. Mental health Occupational Therapists also provides a range of psycho-education interventions to assist clients with their journey through recovery of their mental illness,” Ms Wakely said.
Contact: Kylie Dawson
Phone: (02) 6767 7136
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