An Occupational therapist’s primary goal is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. This means helping people to safely take part in looking after themselves, enjoy themselves and contribute to their communities.
Occupational Therapists assess the level of functional ability of clients who, through a temporary or permanent illness or disability, cannot safely or independently carry out roles and meaningful occupations.
Occupational therapists work in many services across our DHB.
We provide occupational therapy to inpatients and outpatients at Wellington Regional and Kenepuru Community hospitals as well as care in the community.
Occupational Therapists work with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in valued occupations by providing rehabilitation and education or by either modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement
Occupational therapists provide:
- Functional assessments (of showering, dressing, transfers or kitchen) to assess safety.
- Cognitive assessments (standardised) to assess current cognitive status and potential safety implications.
- Equipment assessments for short or long term needs.
- Home visits to assess safety of the home environment, as well as follow up visits after patients leave hospital. These could involve provision of equipment or application to Enable for housing modifications.
- Manual therapy and splinting to restore hand function.
We treat:
- People need increasing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) or transfers.
- People who require hand therapy following surgery or due to illness or accident.
- People who demonstrate cognitive impairment which affects their ability to function or to be safe at home.
- People who live alone and have limited social supports.
- People who require equipment on discharge, needing long term funding.
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Afterhours
Hospital ED