Occupational Therapy Brisbane

11/12/2025

Living with Parkinson’s? The Right Assistive Device Can Make Daily Life Easier.

Finding the right aid for Parkinson’s Disease can feel overwhelming. With so many options, it’s easy to spend time and money on devices that don’t meet your needs — leaving frustration instead of support.

Occupational Therapy Brisbane helps you get the right assistive device for your stage of Parkinson’s, so you can stay independent and engaged in daily life. Here’s how we make a difference:

✨ Tailored to you – Every person’s needs are different. An OT assessment ensures devices suit your abilities, environment, and goals.
🧩 Support across all stages – From early tremor management to late-stage mobility and pressure care, the right aid can make daily activities safer and more manageable.
🛠 Practical solutions – Walkers, canes, adaptive utensils, shower chairs, communication tools, and more — each selected to improve independence and quality of life.
💪 Confidence and independence – With personalised guidance, you can focus on living your life rather than managing the challenges of Parkinson’s.

Choosing the right assistive device isn’t just about equipment — it’s about enhancing wellbeing, safety, and independence.

👉 Visit our website to learn more and explore how the right assistive aids can help: https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/break-free-from-parkinsons-with-the-right-assistive-devices/

08/12/2025

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐬? 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤-𝐈𝐧.

Forgetting names, misplacing keys, or struggling to focus can be frustrating. If it’s starting to affect your daily life, understanding your cognitive health can make a real difference.

Our Cognitive Assessment Service at Occupational Therapy Brisbane offers a practical, compassionate approach to help you:

🔹Get clarity fast – A 1.5-hour assessment gives a clear view of your cognitive strengths and areas to support.
🔹Receive actionable guidance – You’ll get a personalised report with practical steps to maintain or improve your brain health.
🔹Track changes over time – Sensitive tools monitor subtle shifts, helping you stay on top of your cognitive wellbeing.

Understanding your cognitive health doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Take the first step toward confidence and clarity today.

👉 Visit our website to learn more: https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/our-services/cognitive-assessment-brisbane/

04/12/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

After a neurological event like a stroke or acquired brain injury (ABI), tasks that were once simple, managing finances, planning meals, or returning to work, can suddenly feel complex. This is often due to executive dysfunction, affecting skills like planning, problem-solving, judgment, and self-awareness.

Here are some ways to support executive function:

🟢 Start Simple – Break tasks into manageable steps and gradually increase complexity.
💪 Leverage Strengths – Use what’s working well to compensate for challenges.
📅 Create Routine – Structured schedules reduce cognitive load and help focus.
🎯 Find Motivation – Meaningful and enjoyable tasks boost engagement and learning.
🏢 Practice in Real Life – Work or community settings provide safe spaces to test skills and problem-solving.

Recovery takes time, but with consistent strategies and support, independence and confidence can improve.

If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges with executive function, talk to your doctor or therapist to plan a program suited to your needs.

🔗 Learn more here: https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/how-can-you-improve-executive-function/

01/12/2025

💻 Therapy that comes to you — wherever you are

Life doesn’t always make it easy to get to an appointment, especially when living with a neurological condition. That’s why Telehealth OT is helping more people access the care and support they need — from the comfort and safety of home.

Here’s how online occupational therapy can make a difference:

🌐 Access expert care from anywhere
Whether you live in regional QLD, interstate, or overseas, Telehealth connects you directly with experienced OTs for neuro-rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, & everyday function support.

🕒 Save time, travel and energy
No more commuting, parking, or waiting rooms — your session happens securely online. It’s a simple, flexible way to keep therapy consistent when mobility, transport or health make travel difficult.

🧠 Support for a wide range of neurological conditions
Telehealth services at OT Brisbane is effective for people recovering from stroke or brain injury, or living with Parkinson’s, MS, or dementia — helping you build skills, regain confidence, and reach your therapy goals.

🤝 Collaborative, personalised care
You’ll work with the same therapist each session — so no more repeating your story — and we can even include your care team or family members in online meetings.

Follow the link to learn more about our Telehealth Services 👉 https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/telehealth-occupational-therapy/

27/11/2025

💪 Finding your way back after stroke — one goal at a time

A stroke can change life in an instant. But with the right therapy, recovery continues long after you leave hospital.

At Occupational Therapy Brisbane, our Stroke Rehabilitation OT services are designed to help you rebuild skills, regain confidence and move forward — at home, in clinic, or online.

Here’s how we support your recovery:

🧠 Focused, personalised rehabilitation
Every person’s stroke journey is different. We work with you to set achievable goals and tailor therapy that targets what matters most — from movement and memory to daily independence.

🏡 Therapy where you need it
Choose from home-based visits, clinic sessions, or Telehealth — so you can keep progressing, wherever you are in your recovery.

⚙️ Evidence-based intensity
Research shows that stroke recovery improves with frequent, structured therapy. We aim to help you access more of the therapy time your recovery deserves.

🤝 Collaborative support
We work closely with physiotherapists, speech pathologists, and your specialist, as well as your GP, to ensure your care is coordinated and comprehensive.

Recovery after stroke is a journey — not a destination — and we’re here to walk it with you.

👉 Read more about our Brisbane Stroke Rehabilitation OT services here:
https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/neurological-conditions/stroke-rehabilitation/

24/11/2025

🧠 When was the last time you had your memory checked?

We’re quick to schedule heart check-ups, skin checks and blood pressure tests — but memory health is often overlooked until changes become hard to ignore.

At our Brain Health Clinic at OT Brisbane, we help adults take control of their memory health — whether you’ve noticed subtle changes or simply want to stay sharp as you age.

Here’s how we can support you:

🔍 Comprehensive assessment and early detection
We assess memory and cognitive function to identify early signs of change — giving you clarity and direction for next steps.

🏡 Support where you need it most
Home-based assessments and management for dementia or behavioural changes help maintain safety, comfort and quality of life.

💬 Education and planning for the future
We guide you and your family in understanding your results, creating care plans, and preparing for what’s ahead.

🌿 Prevention and lifestyle change programs
Even if you’re not experiencing symptoms, evidence shows that up to one in three cases of dementia may be preventable through brain-healthy habits.

Taking action early can make a real difference — for your confidence, independence and long-term wellbeing.

📘 Download our Free Report: The 5 Science-Backed Actions to Reduce Your Risk for Dementia here👉 https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/our-services/memory-health-clinic/

20/11/2025

🛁 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲.

Grab rails are a simple but vital safety feature in bathrooms and toilets. But not all rails are made the same — and some can actually increase your risk of falling.

Here’s what to know before you choose:

⚙️ Safety first – Fixed grab rails, installed into the wall, provide secure, load-bearing support. Suction bars depend on smooth surfaces and can fail without warning.

🏡 For renters or travellers – Portable suction bars can help in temporary settings, but they shouldn’t replace a properly installed grab rail when safety is key.

🧰 Get professional advice – An occupational therapist can recommend and guide safe installations that suit your space, needs, and goals for independence.

Falls are one of the biggest threats to independence — but also one of the most preventable.

👉 Read more about the difference between grab rails and suction bars here:
https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/grab-rails-vs-suction-bars/

17/11/2025

When a neurological diagnosis changes what you can do — who helps you shape the life you still want to live?

At Occupational Therapy Brisbane, we work with you to rebuild skills, adapt tasks, and protect the things that matter most — your home life, hobbies, work, and independence.

Here’s how neurological occupational therapy can make a practical difference:

🧭 Start with a detailed assessment
We explore how movement, sensation, thinking, and mood affect your daily activities, so therapy targets what truly matters to you.

💪 Restore, protect and maintain function
Through evidence-informed neuro-rehabilitation, we help you recover lost skills and maintain your abilities for as long as possible — with clear, achievable goals.

⚙️ Change the task, not the goal
We teach new ways to do familiar things — or introduce assistive devices and environment changes — so you can keep doing what you love.

🌱 Rebuild confidence for everyday life
Whether it’s returning to driving, managing self-care, or reconnecting with your community, therapy is designed to enhance your independence and well-being.

If you’d like practical, person-centred support for Parkinson’s, stroke, dementia, MS, brain injury, or other neurological conditions, we’re here to help.

Visit the link to learn more about our OT Neuro Services 👉 https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/neurological-occupational-therapy/

13/11/2025

🚗 𝐈𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?

If you or someone you care about has noticed memory changes, you’ll know how confronting it can be to think about driving. The truth is — it’s often the unexpected moments on the road that test our cognitive fitness the most.

Changes in reaction time, decision-making, or spatial awareness can make driving more stressful and, at times, unsafe. But losing confidence doesn’t have to mean losing independence.

Our latest blog unpacks:
✅ How mild cognitive impairment can affect driving performance
✅ 7 signs a cognitive driving assessment may help
✅ Practical strategies to stay safe and confident behind the wheel
✅ When it might be time to plan for life beyond the car

💡 Take our FREE Self-Assessment: 15 Warning Signs Driving Is Becoming Difficult — it’s a great first step in understanding your driving safety.

👉 Find the Self-Assessment and full article here to learn how to stay safe and independent on the road: https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/navigating-the-road-ahead-how-mild-cognitive-impairment-can-affect-older-drivers-and-how-to-stay-safe/

10/11/2025

𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 “𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 “𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚” 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

We assume rehab is for stroke, injury, or acute recovery. Once dementia is diagnosed, the conversation often shifts to “support” and “management.”

But a new review (Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faieta et al., 2023) makes a clear case: rehabilitation should be part of standard dementia care — particularly in the early stages.

Rehabilitation isn’t about reversing disease. It’s about optimising function, slowing decline, and giving people tools to participate in daily life with dignity.

Restorative approaches help people regain or maintain independence where possible.
Compensatory approaches (from assistive tech to environmental supports) allow safer, more meaningful routines when full recovery isn’t feasible.

Evidence even points to benefits for behavioural symptoms and secondary health issues.

In Australia, occupational therapy is already being embedded into dementia pathways — showing measurable improvements in function, safety, and family confidence. The lesson? Timing matters. Rehab is most effective when initiated early, not when decline is advanced.

If we only reach for medication and “support services,” we miss a critical window. Rehabilitation is not an optional add-on. It’s a core part of dementia care.

👉 For our care, support and health navigators: start the conversation earlier. Ask about function, daily life, and pathways that integrate rehabilitation.👉 For referrers: start the conversation earlier. Ask about function, daily life, and pathways that integrate rehabilitation.

Citation: Faieta, J., Ebuenyi, I. D., Devos, H., Reynolds, C. F., III, & Rodakowski, J. (2023). The Role of Rehabilitation for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Practice and Priorities. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00544-0/abstract

The World Health Organization describes rehabilitation as interventions that focus on addressing disability through optimizing functional ability for individuals living with various health challenges in their unique daily life contexts. Rehabilitation services are typically seeking to enhance functi...

06/11/2025

“𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐦 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲…”

You’ve noticed the subtle changes, repeated stories, forgotten appointments, or confusion that’s out of character. Knowing how (or when) to bring it up can feel overwhelming.

At Occupational Therapy Brisbane, we understand the worry, guilt, and uncertainty that come with that first “something’s not right” moment. Early, calm conversations can make all the difference, even if it turns out not to be dementia.

In our latest guide, written by Senior Occupational Therapist David Norris, you’ll discover:
✅ How to start a supportive conversation with your parent
✅ 10 early warning signs (and what not to do with them)
✅ Why early discussions can improve quality of life
✅ A ready-to-use GP letter template if your parent won’t raise it themselves
✅ How Occupational Therapy can help families navigate memory changes with confidence

It’s a tough topic — but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
👉 Read the full guide: https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/think-your-parent-has-dementiatherapist-shares-what-to-do/

03/11/2025

Ageing well doesn’t mean losing independence, an Aged Care OT can help you stay safe, capable and confident at home.

Occupational therapists at Occupational Therapy Brisbane work with you, your GP and care team to focus on the things that matter most, whether that’s staying in your home, getting back to everyday tasks, or making care easier for everyone involved.

How we can help:

1. Create a safer home: practical home-safety assessments and targeted modifications so daily tasks are easier and less risky.
Prescribe the right equipment: clinically recommended aids that protect independence (from mobility supports to everyday tools).

2. Optimise recovery: rehab and goal-led treatment after illness or injury, including support for neurological conditions such as stroke, dementia and Parkinson’s.

3. Support thinking & memory: tailored memory-health programs and strategies for people and their care teams to improve day-to-day function.

4. Hassle-free options: in-clinic, telehealth and mobile visits to residential care

If you or a loved one would benefit from a practical, evidence-based OT assessment, call us on 1300 783 200 to request an appointment or find out more via the link below:

🔗 https://occupationaltherapybrisbane.com.au/our-services/aged-care-occupational-therapy/

Referrals welcome from GPs and allied health.