Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is a profession concerned with promoting well being and quality of life through ‘occupation’. The primary goal of Occupational Therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. This is achieved by modifying the environment, providing adaptive equipment and exploring alternate ways to complete activities.

The Occupational Therapists at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem are specialists in the management of people with progressive neurological conditions and those requiring palliative care.

At all times we uphold the LCM Mission in “being for others” and respect the uniqueness of each person. Occupational Therapy intervention considers the needs of the individual in conjunction with family and social contexts. This may include maximising function, promoting independence, ensuring safety and comfort and symptom management for end of life care.

Our Clinical Services:

The Occupational Therapy Department provides care to the Neurological Unit and Palliative Care Units, including inpatients, outpatients and community services.

Progressive Neurological Service

Occupational Therapists working in the progressive neurological stream provide quality care to people with progressive neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington’s Disease.

Occupational Therapy intervention is tailored to the individual and may include:

• Assessment and treatment of activities of daily living (ADL) including self-care (washing, dressing, grooming, feeding oneself, etc.), productive tasks (domestic duties, shopping, banking, driving, work, etc.) and leisure pursuits

• Management of upper limb function including thorough assessment, hands-on treatment and prescription of upper limb ranging programs

• Assessment of pressure care requirements and associated care planning

• Assessment of environment - home, work, etc. Recommendation of environmental modifications and prescription of equipment to enable maximal function

• Assessment of functional perception and cognition

• Carer education and training

• Coordination of complex discharge planning

• Referral to and liaison with external services as required

Arthur Preston Residential Service

The Occupational Therapy department provides specialist occupational therapy services to Arthur Preston Residential Services (APRS) on a contract basis.

APRS specialises in the care of people with Huntington’s Disease (HD), an hereditary progressive neurological disease. Our experienced clinicians work collaboratively with clinicians at APRS in managing the occupational therapy needs of residents and in developing research and education in HD.

Residents of APRS may also attend the neurological outpatient clinics at CHCB and the CHCB inpatient facility.

Consultancy Service

The Occupational Therapy Department participates in the Neurological Outreach Service providing telephone and email consultancy, education sessions and on-site assessment.

This service aims to assist health professionals working in the community in the management of people with Motor Neurone Disease and other progressive neurological diseases. Senior clinical staff will respond to inquiries for general information or for detailed information regarding specific issues.

The consultancy service can be accessed by telephone through the Neurological Outreach Service coordinator on 9595 3355 or via email direct to OccTherapy@bethlehem.org.au 

An information booklet, ‘Practical Management of Motor Neurone Disease – Occupational Therapy’, provides useful information for health professionals and is available for purchase either individually or as part of a multidisciplinary kit through the Neurological Outreach Service.

© Calvary Health Care Bethlehem