Physiotherapy
Movement to keep you independent and mobile
Occupational Therapy
At Plena Healthcare, our Occupational Therapists are dedicated to helping you live a more independent and fulfilling life. We empower you to engage in the daily activities that matter most, making it easier for you to manage tasks at home and maintain your wellbeing.
Our team works closely with you to find long-term solutions that support your goals, health and independence, helping you stay strong and confident in your own home. We’re here to provide exceptional care tailored to your needs as they change, so you can continue doing what you love with ease and comfort. Let’s work together to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable!
Why Choose Plena Healthcare Occupational Therapy?
- Promotes independence: Let’s achieve greater independence in your daily live life. We recommend assistive technology products and equipment like adaptive cutlery, sleeping, seating, and personal hygiene product options perching stools for washing dishes or shower chairs to prevent falls and make daily living easier for you with tailored education and activities to suit your needs and abilities.
- Enhances safety at home: Your home will be thoroughly evaluated to identify potential safety hazards. Our therapists could suggest strategies or modifications such as installing ramps for easier access, grab rails in showers, and handrails on steps to enhance your safety and accessibility.
- Improved community access: OTs will assess your abilities to access the community, and recommend adaptations or assistive devices to improve accessibility, this includes car transfers, motorised scooters and powered wheelchairs. We provide travel training, helping you navigate public transport independently by understanding schedules and routes. By gradually exposing you to community settings and offering support, your Occupational Therapist will help you build confidence, enabling more independent community engagement. Through these comprehensive strategies, we empower you to overcome barriers and actively participate in your community.
Conditions and life challenges we treat daily with Occupational Therapy
- Stroke and neurological rehabilitation: Are you recovering from strokes or managing neurological conditions? We provide therapeutic activities that enhance motor skills, cognitive functions, and coordination. We work closely with you to set you recovery goals and introduce adaptive techniques and equipment to aid daily living.
- Aging and mobility concerns: For seniors, we offer services that help retain function and independence. This includes developing exercise programs to improve strength and balance, recommending assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs, and conducting home safety evaluations to prevent falls.
- In the NDIS space, we can assist function and funding reviews through Functional Capacity Assessments and Mobility Plan Reviews. Click here to find out more.
Our approach to Occupational Therapy
Here’s what you can expect from your OT journey:
Step 1: Understanding your needs and goals
Your OT will begin by getting to know you and your specific goals in an initial assessment meeting. Whether it’s preventing falls, making daily tasks easier, or simply feeling more confident moving around your home, this initial conversation helps us understand how to best support your independence. We will discuss any challenges you face with mobility, safety, or comfort in your home.
Step 2: Assessing Your Environment
After learning about your goals, the OT will carefully review your living environment. This is one of the most crucial steps. Our goal is to evaluate how your home currently supports—or hinders—your day-to-day activities. Does your living room allow enough space for a powered chair? Would a grab rail make it safer to step in and out of the shower? These are the kinds of questions we’ll explore.
Step 3: Tailored Solutions – Equipment & Home Modifications
Once your needs and home environment are assessed, the OT will recommend customised equipment and modifications to help you live independently and safely. Whether it’s a powered mobility device like a scooter or an electric recline chair to help you avoid falls, or home modifications such as widening a step for your walker or adding a handrail to navigate stairs—each recommendation is made with your comfort and independence in mind.
Step 4: Planning & Implementation
We don’t just suggest solutions—we help you every step of the way in getting them implemented. Our OT packages are designed to meet your specific needs, with options starting from 2 hours. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive assessment or targeted support, we’re here to help. The process ensures that your new equipment fits perfectly into your home, your needs, and your lifestyle. We work closely with you to ensure everything is installed and functioning properly.
Step 5: Follow-Up & Support
Once the changes have been made, your OT will follow up with you to make sure everything is working as expected. If adjustments are needed or if you have any questions, we’re here to support you.
Frequently asked questions about Occupational Therapy
What is occupational therapy, and how is it different from physiotherapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on how you perform tasks; with the aim to help individuals perform activities of daily living more independently. OTs assess and adapt the environment, provide assistive devices, and teach strategies to help individuals manage daily tasks, such as dressing, cooking, or bathing, particularly when physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges are present to build functional independence in daily life.
Physiotherapy (PT) primarily focuses on how you move and function; with the aim to improve movement, mobility, and general physical function. PTs treat conditions related to musculoskeletal, neurological, or respiratory issues, aiming to reduce pain, increase strength, prevent falls and enhance movement through exercises, manual therapy, education, and other physical interventions.
Who is eligible for occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is available to individuals over 18 years of age who are experiencing difficulties in performing daily activities due to physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. This includes people recovering from injuries, those with disabilities, or individuals facing age-related changes.
What should I expect in the first session?
In your first session, we will conduct an initial assessment onsite, which will take approximately an hour. During this time, we will walk through your environment and ask varied questions about your routines, who supports you, and your goals and needs.
After the assessment, your occupational therapist (OT) will discuss their findings and recommendations with you, collaboratively setting your goals. Offsite they will use additional time to prepare a comprehensive report offsite.
Depending on the outcomes and recommendations, your OT will liaise with your funding provider to discuss the findings. The provider will then review the available funds and approve the next steps as needed.
Other Allied Health Services We Offer
We take a multi-disciplinary approach to care, which means our clinicians will assess your needs holistically and refer to other modalities if needed, to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Let’s improve your daily living
Contact us today to start Occupational Therapy and feel better.