Allied Health Services

Speech Pathologists promote quality of life by assisting people of all ages to communicate effectively and swallow safely. They can assist with:

Understanding

• what has been said or read

Developing

• language skills (including early language and more complex language skills)
• clear speech
• social language skills
• literacy skills (including reading and spelling)
• alternative communication skills e.g. signing

Supporting

• use of augmentative communication devices e.g. communication books/voice output devices
• maintaining voice concerns
• mealtimes, feeding and safe swallowing
• people who stutter

Physiotherapists promote quality of life by assisting people of all ages to maintain or improve their mobility and overall function. This is through;

• Prescription of mobility and postural assistive technology
• Development of gross motor skills (large body movements)
• Prescription of home and community based exercise programs
• Hydrotherapy (pool based exercises)
• Development of upper body, lower body and core strength, coordination and flexibility
• Movement facilitation
• Manual therapy techniques
• Postural taping techniques

Occupational Therapists promote quality of life by assisting people of all ages to develop the skills needed to participate in their everyday activities, also known as their occupations. Occupational Therapists can help with:

• Daily living skills e.g. dressing, showering, cooking, shopping
• Play skills
• Sleeping
• Developing skills needed for school
• Exploring and understanding sensory needs
• Exploring strategies for developing social and emotional skills
• Developing skills needed for the workplace
• Providing access to assistive technology
• Assessing and providing recommendations for minor home modifications.

The Continence Advisor uses an evidence based approach to improve quality of life for people of all ages through resolving and managing continence needs. The advisor is a registered Nurse who promotes wellness, social engagement, and uses a person centred approach. The Continence Advisor provides the following key activities:

• Support to individuals experiencing incontinence
• Comprehensive continence assessments for both children and adults, including aged care
• Individualised management plans
• Support and guidance in ensuring the individual has the right product (pads, catheters, colostomy products)
• Support to carers living with someone with continence concerns
• Provision of evidence based and best practice continence health promotion, education and training programs to carers and health professionals

Under the direction and supervision of a licenced therapist, Cootharinga offers Allied Health Assistants to our clients, maximising rehabilitation, development and general wellbeing.