27th October is World Occupational Therapy Day. And this week, 26th October to 1st November is World Occupational Therapy Week. It’s a week to celebrate Occupational Therapy and promote how Occupational Therapists help people reach their potential.
2020 Theme
Resilience: Supporting our communities to rebuild, recover, and re-engage.
In 2020 OT’s in Australia were able to adapt to telehealth to support customers. An example of the way OT’s have supported communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year there is an online event as part of Occupational Therapy Day. You can register for the interactive online event for 27th October here.
What do Occupational Therapists Do?
The role of OT‘s is to work with people of all ages, who have physical, social or mental health needs. They can help you to manage routines, modify everyday jobs and household tasks to make them easier to do and recommend activities you can take part in. OT’s support people in meaningful activities, helping people to re-engage after disrupted situations and supporting stress and recovery. You will find them working in hospitals, rehabilitation units, community health, Homecare, Retirement homes, School and Private Practice.
“Occupations” in Occupational Therapy refers to
the everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life. Occupations include things people need to, want to and are expected to do.
(WFOT – World Federation of Occupational Therapists)
Some example of the work OT’s do
- Pain rehabilitation
- Driving and Vehicle Assessments
- In school Support
- Home Modifications
How to find An Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Australia
Have an online search tool. Filter a search by services provided, area of practice, name, and funding scheme.
How IDEAS can help
You can search our online directories. Just remember to type your location before you search.
Or,
You can contact us through your preferred means. Phone, NRS, Live Chat, Email, Fax or Social Media Channel.
With a little knowledge about what you are looking for, (such as the bulleted list below) we can help by contacting them and confirming they meet your needs.
You might want to know do they
- Operate in your area, at your school or retirement village/home
- Work with a specific age group
- Specialise in an area, for example, vehicle assessments and modification
- Speak a second language, language other than English or multiple languages to be able to communicate with all family members
- For children or toddlers, if they have in-school services at your child's school or preschool
- Have both Occupational Therapists AND Speech Pathologists who work together in the one organisation.
- Have experience in treatment for your individual needs
- Have the availability to take new customers
- What the waitlist timeframe is, or if there is a waitlist
- Offer mobile, face-to-face, or telehealth services,
- Meet your plan management needs,
- Have NDIS registration
- Public services are often available through hospitals, community health centres and outreach services. We can confirm if they are available or operate in your area
- Or, we can confirm any other questions you have. Yes really! We ask the questions and do the work and for you, and we are a free service here to help you.
#ThisIsOT
#OTWeek2020
Read about Telehealth which is now available for some Occupational Therapy Services due to COVID-19.
