Access Adapt Activate Rehab

28/07/2022

I want to address the very real and ever present shadow in my life right now. Grief...
Trying to cope with the loss of a loved one can be tricky to navigate. Lucky for me I have an amazing, supportive family and my work keeps me busy and grounded.
I'm a doer.
I get things done.
But it doesn't mean it's easy and that some days aren't a struggle.
In discussing the Occupational Therapist's role in the bereavement process a journal article published in 2018 states that

"For some people, returning to their routine will facilitate recovery; for others, new occupations are necessary and therapeutic. In helping a bereaved person, it is important not to focus on a particular strategy or on the motives for engaging in a specific occupation; rather, it is crucial to understand and accept individual responses to facilitate the bereavement process". (See full article here: DOI: 10.17159/2310-3833/2017/vol48n3a3).

Some days routine helps me. Other days I need to shut my world down and do nothing...talk to no-one...preferably see no-one...
Did I mention that I'm a wife and mother, so that's like asking for a rainbow unicorn!
I think I may need an Occupational Therapist...

Here is a link to an article that outlines the 7 stages of Grief clearly and succinctly with some basic strategies that may be helpful in processing Grief.
https://www.hcf.com.au/health-agenda/body-mind/mental-health/moving-through-grief
If you or someone you know are struggling with anxiety, depression or grief and need to talk it through with someone please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

11/07/2022

Let's talk about the dreaded PRESSURE INJURY/ULCER, otherwise commonly known as a "bed sore" back in the day.

Pressure Injuries are caused by 3 things:

PRESSURE - constant pressure to an area of the body that restricts the blood flow. eg. a wheelchair user sitting on their bottom all day.

FRICTION - happens when clothes or bedding rubs against skin
eg. loose fitting clothing, loose bed sheets or bed mats.

SHEAR - when two surfaces move against each other in opposite directions
eg. sliding down the bed when seated and pushing yourself back up.

There are multiple risk factors that increase a person's risk of developing a Pressure Injury. These include:
- changed or impaired mobility
- changed or impaired activity
- impaired sensory perception
- malnutrition or obesity
- compromised skin integrity
- increasing age
- compromised or reduced blood supply to bony parts of the body
- severely compromised health status

It is important for carers (formal or informal) to conduct daily skin checks on people with any of the above risk factors.
I have attached a photo of a stage 1 Pressure Injury, the lowest grade pressure injury but by no means insignificant!
Left unidentified or untreated, this can quickly (sometimes within hours) become a stage 2 Pressure Injury with broken skin and increased risk of infection and hospital admission.

Below is a link to a document that identifies and classifies Pressure Injuries (beware it has photos of open wounds for those with weak stomachs).

I would STRONGLY recommend that anyone assisting in taking care of an elderly person or person living with disability familiarise themselves with the Pressure Injury stages and how to identify the lower level Pressure Injuries to keep our family, friends and clients at home, healthy, and to provide the best level of care that they deserve x

http://www.open.hqsc.govt.nz/assets/Patient-Safety-Week/PR/2016-resources/ACCPressureInjuryStagingChart.pdf

11/07/2022

A lot of people ask me what I do...What IS Occupational Therapy???
Here is a link to the OT Australia website which has a succinct description of the OT role within the NDIS (the focus of my practice) and some of the supports that an OT can provide.
http://aboutoccupationaltherapy.com.au/disabilityndis/

OTs provide several supports & services to NDIS participants including mental health, rehabilitation, pain management, driving assessments & paediatrics.

09/07/2022

AN INTRODUCTION:
I am an Occupational Therapist who has been working with NDIS participants for the past 3 years for a large NGO.
My passion is prescribing complex equipment and complex home modifications to improve safety and independence for clients within their homes and to reduce the strain on carers.
Due to the complex nature of this type of work, my practice strongly focuses on client-centred care, and I pride myself on building strong rapport and therapeutic relationships with clients, their families, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure collaborative care that focuses on achieving client goals and outcomes.

I work primarily with adult populations who suffer from physical disability and/or static or progressive neurological conditions.
I have completed extra certification in Home Modifications to ensure that I meet the NDIS expectations of AT assessor suitably qualified to assess and prescribe complex home modifications to participants. I engage in regular professional development that exceeds registration expectations and that aligns with my targeted caseload and special interest areas which has expanded to manual handling principles, training, and prescription. For the last 12 months at my previous role, I held a line manager position, providing supervision and mentoring for complex home modifications and complex equipment prescription to the team of 20 Occupational Therapists. Since leaving this position to take on a QLD Health contract 3 months ago, I have continued to provide weekly consultancy and mentorship to the team.

I have decided to take the leap and begin my own private practice in order to achieve the ultimate “work life balance”
(wish me luck! 😊).
I am available 3 days per week which will increase in line with my workload and am currently looking at building my caseload in the North Brisbane area.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss any referrals or to set up a meet and greet to discuss future opportunities to work together.

09/07/2022