Therapy Service
Our Therapy Service provides physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to optimise and maintain clients’ level of functioning in every aspect of their lives.
Cootharinga employs registered therapists to undertake Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy assessments and Therapy, consistent with client needs and chosen goals.
Clients referred for therapy have two broad areas of need:
- to further develop their functional living skills (i.e. communication, mobility, eating, toileting, domestic)
- and to optimise and maintain their physical condition (i.e. spine, joints, muscles, lungs, skin/tissue, etc.).
The goal of the Therapy Service is to provide Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Pathology to enhance, optimise and maintain clients' level of functioning in every aspect of their lives.
To achieve this goal, the Therapy Service has the following objectives:
- To assist clients, families and support staff to identify and prioritise clients therapy needs
- To undertake relevant speech, occupational and physical therapy assessments
- To determine type(s) of therapy intervention required
- To implement and evaluate therapy programs/strategies in conjunction with support staff
- To contribute to the development of client Individual Lifestyle Plans.
Occupational Therapy
Within Cootharinga the Occupational Therapist provides support to individuals with disabilities and the people who support them. Emphasis is placed on increasing an individual's quality of life by promoting independence in daily living skills, work or productive activities and in leisure activities.
The Occupational Therapist provides therapy to Cootharinga clients living within the community.
Working as a member of a team, the Occupational Therapist works closely with the client and many other people, including the physiotherapist, speech pathologist, support staff and Service managers, to achieve optimal outcomes.
Important areas of Occupational Therapy are:
- Assessment of client's performance areas (self care, leisure, work and rest), and development of programs to assist clients in achieving Individual Lifestyle goals.
- Participation in the development and implementation of staff training in areas of manual handling, back care and hoist training.
- Developing independence in self-care tasks through modification of task, environment and through the use of equipment and aids.
- Liaising with Rehabilitation and Technology Service and physiotherapist to assist in positioning and modifications for wheelchairs and shower chairs.
- Facilitating access to technological devices and communication aides.
Speech Pathology
The Speech Pathologist provides services to Cootharinga clients living within the community. Speech Pathology provided, is designed to increase independence, participation, and functioning in all communicative contexts.
Clients are assisted with individualised communication programs, often incorporating augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods. These may include personal communication dictionaries, communication devices, communication boards, object and picture symbols, and signing etc. Assessments and intervention programs are functional, meaningful, and motivating.
Assessments and recommendations for mealtimes (eating, drinking and swallowing) are also made to ensure clients are able to eat and drink safely.
Comprehensive staff training is provided in aspects of communication and mealtime assistance to Cootharinga's support workers.
Physiotherapy
The Physiotherapist assists with the maintenance of the client's well-being and independence. Training of new staff to develop and enhance a safe working environment is also part of the overall service.
The Physiotherapist works with the therapy team, Service Managers, families, support staff, and external agencies to assist both client’s and staff.
The Physiotherapist is involved with chest care programs, exercises, pain management, assistance with seating prescription, pressure care, risk assessment, Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) applications, training in orientation programs, on-job training with staff and clients, problem solving on issues, research, and updating information for client well being, and manual handling procedures.