CLIENT SERVICES

Eligibility checker

If you meet the following criteria, we may be a good fit …

Are an adult (over 18)
Have a physical disability or are frail aged
Have Home Care Package or NDIS funding (plan or self-managed only) or be able to pay privately
Live within 1 hour of Toowoomba

Please contact me if you would like a referral form.

Assessment / information gathering

The assessment and information gathering process should never be underestimated. OT's are often put under pressure to jump straight to the solutions but it is so important to first get a thorough understanding of you and your circumstances. I use the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model as framework to help guide my assessment approach. An OT assessment will "look" different for everyone (there is no one size fits all), however generally it involves some or all of the following:

Client interview / conversation (you are the expert on you!)
Observation (of the home environment and/or task performance)
Completion of formal or informal assessment tools . These may be completed during the visit, before the visit (usually by you) or after the visit (usually by me).
Liaising with those who know you well (e.g. regular support worker, spouse, GP)

Recommendations / Intervention

May include (but not limited to):

Home modifications (aka: "home mods") are changes made to the home environment to help people to be more independent and safe in their own home and reduce any risk of injury to their paid or unpaid carers. Sometimes simple / low cost changes will be sufficient (e.g. grab rails, threshold ramps, hand rails), other times more complex / costly changes will be required (e.g. door widening, accessible wet rooms, lifts, large ramps). No two properties or clients are the same, every home modification solution is unique to the individual, their goals and their home. Please visit the "photo gallery" section of this website to see a sample of my home mods work.
Assistive technology (aka: "AT") is any item, piece of equipment or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of people with a disability. Sometimes simple / low cost AT will be sufficient (e.g. over-toilet-frames, shower chairs, standard walkers, kitchen / meal prep aids) other times more complex / costly AT will be required (e.g. power wheelchairs, hoists, electric profiling beds). AT trials (with the OT present) are essential, not only to ensure a good person-environment-product fit but also maximize the chance of funding approval.
Pressure area prevention / management.
Moving and handling strategies / advice.
Falls prevention education.
Skill building / ADL retraining.
Cognitive impairment / dementia advice.
Suitable housing options / new housing requirements.
Assistance with filling out forms e.g. Disability Parking Permit, Taxi Subsidy Scheme, Council Bin Collection Service.

Report writing / funding applications

Clinical documentation is a necessary part of the process and may include (but not limited to):

Intervention plans
General functional reports
Comprehensive functional reports (to demonstrate need for high level supports such as Specialist Disability Accommodation or 24/7 care)
Targeted / client specific resources (e.g. transfer plan)
Letters of recommendation (e.g. for simple / lost cost AT or home mods)
Completion of NDIS AT template
Completion of NDIS Complex Home Mods template
OT progress reports

Training / review / follow up

The extent and nature of OT input a person requires is highly variable and will depend on many factors. After your initial assessment I will be able to give you an idea of the amount and type of OT input that may be needed to help you achieve your goals, and provide time and cost estimates. I do not proceed until I have the "go ahead" from you and keep you informed every step of the way. Face-to-face supports are scheduled with you "as needed" and may involve: