Holistic Occupational Therapy in Port Lincoln, South Australia | Home healthcare service

Holistic Occupational Therapy

Locality: Port Lincoln, South Australia

Phone: +61 400 917 449

Address: 13/60 Tasman Terrace 5606 Port Lincoln, SA, Australia

Website: http://www.holisticoccupationaltherapy.com.au/

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• Medical and health
• Mental health service
• Occupational therapist
• Home healthcare service

23.01.2022 It takes practice to step outside of your automatic reactions to someone being nasty and understand its not them. It isnt easy but it is necessary if you are going to be a truly effective care person.

22.01.2022 Telehealth Consultations - Aren’t we fortunate to live in a world where we can still meaningfully connect with people face-face, many kilometres away? Living on the Eyre Peninsula (and in Australia in general) means highway travel is a given. But what happens when travelling to and from appointments, to a town 2 hours + drive away, becomes even more difficult? We need to think of alternative ways of delivering services!... Telehealth ___ We can now provide many services through Telehealth, and to be honest, Brooke is quietly loving wearing her slippers in the comfort of her own home during consults

21.01.2022 A fantastic FREE course!

21.01.2022 This is so important when supporting people living with dementia. As the part of the brain that manages language starts to work less efficiently, words tend to be less important. And therefore its not so much about what we say but HOW we say it. When working with people living with dementia, always reflect on the way you look in terms of your level of eye contact, facial expression, hand movements,how much you smile and your stance/posture.... These things can influence how people living with dementia act and respond. Getting it right really does enhance your interaction and can lead to a reduction in challenging situations. Approach with a smile Beware of personal space Get below their eye level, if they are sitting, kneel on the floor, help them feel a sense of power Give then time to talk and allow time for them to respond Avoid standing square with them, stand just off to the side and open your stance slightly away from them to give them an out if they feel overwhelmed

21.01.2022 DRESSING AND DEMENTIA ___ Helping a person living with dementia to maintain a level of independence with dressing.... Getting dressed can be a challenging task as the condition progresses. This can mean that carers can become overwhelmed and frustrated and soo too can the person living with dementia. There are strategies that we can try to support the person to continue to maintain a level of independence when dressing. Often I see carers (especially paid carers) doing the whole task for their loved ones when they start to notice the person having trouble. Whilst it is natural to want to help, constantly doing things "for" someone with dementia can lead to feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness & loss of control. How can we support the person to feel a sense of choice and control with this task? .. 1 Have ONLY seasonal clothes in the wardrobe to reduce confusion. Additionally, keeping the amount of items in the wardrobe/drawer limited is important. Eg have 4 t-shirts not 20! Ask would you like the red shirt or the green shirt today?. Give the person the opportunity to choose. 2 Layout clothes on bed in sequential order to how they would be put on. 3 Put dark coloured clothes on a light coloured surface to enhance recognition. Sometimes people with dementia have visuospatial difficulties making it hard for them to recognise items if there is poor contrast. 4 Provide prompts but remember not too many so as to overwhelm. E.g. Put this on next and point to it. ONE prompt at a time to avoid them having to process too much information. 5 Keep the task as private as possible, like shutting the door and drawing the curtains. The task of dressing is private for many of us, we need to remember this when caring for someone with dementia. 6 Reduce noise and distraction. 7 Provide praise and encouragement in a respectful way. 8 Instead of having ONLY written signs like "blouse" or "trousers" on drawers/cupboards.. have picture prompts WITH the words. The pictures may show how to don the item. Sometimes having just written prompts may not work especially when the language/comprehension component for someone with dementia is affected.

21.01.2022 I’m ready!!! INTERNATIONAL DEMENTIA CONFERENCE 2 days of listening, learning and being inspired! Whilst I was looking forward to a week in Sydney... I’m grateful the event can still go ahead (and I can learn in the comfort of my own office)!... Having days off (seeing clients) to keep up to date with new evidence and best practice is something I strongly prioritise. Not only does it keep me inspired and motivated, it means that we can deliver a higher quality service that incorporates the latest evidenced based practices; giving us the best chance at achieving the outcomes clients need and deserve. #idc2020

20.01.2022 A very worthwhile read! So so important to know this to ensure we are providing the best possible environment for our loved ones living with dementia

20.01.2022 Meet Helen, a real-life example demonstrating the benefits of regular exercise on overall cognitive and physical wellbeing how amazing is she ___ Studies have shown that seniors who engaged in aerobic exercise over a 12-month period had larger parts of the brain involved in learning and memory (hippocampal region) compared to seniors who didnt. Studies have also found that healthy adults who engaged in regular aerobic exercise obtained better scores on cognitive assessm...ents and had lowered risk of developing dementia (Ahlskog et al. 2011). ___ Exercise helps move oxygen around the body and to the brain. We know that exercise is good for our heart and the vessels in our brain, reducing our risk of small vessel disease (e.g. mini strokes or blockages in the brain that lead to certain types of dementia). Exercise has also been shown to help reduce inflammation; a feature of Alzheimers Disease, the most common form of dementia. Whilst engaging in exercise will not necessarily prevent us from developing dementia, it can reduce our risk and delay onset if we were to go on and develop it. For people who do have mild cognitive impairment or dementia, studies have shown that those who engaged in 6-12 months of exercise obtained better cognitive scores than those who were sedentary, indicating the importance of continuing to exercise after diagnosis and incorporating it into regular therapy. Its never too late to start incorporating exercise into your daily routine to help keen yourself brain healthy. Photo shared with permission.

19.01.2022 HOME MODIFICATIONS MATTER The Importance of seeking advice from appropriately trained clinicians. I always harp on about using contrast when supporting people living with dementia. And here, I have a classic example of WHY.... The first picture - grab rails are likely no good for someone living with dementia with visuospatial difficulties. Many people living with dementia have difficulties with what we call visuospatial abilities - their sight may be ok, but the brains ability to work out where objects are in space has been affected by the disease process. For example they may go to sit on a toilet and mis-judge and fall, or they may reach for a pen and over reach. Or in this case, they may reach for a grab rail in the shower (white rail on white wall) and miss it - leading to a fall. Standard stainless steel grab rails on a white wall or light coloured surface can be hard for someone with dementia to locate. I often suggest using black (or highly contrasted) grab rails and fixtures for people who have visuospatial difficulties to help maintain independence and reduce carer burden. How much better for a clients sense of self efficacy! Its not always as simple as putting in a grab rail or changing the taps. Seek professional advice from appropriately trained clinicians when youre thinking about adapting your home/facility for a person living with dementia! Image source: Google

18.01.2022 PAIN in older people; how we should be treating it!! And its likely not how you have been led to believe. ___ A fantastic podcast about pain by Dr Lorimer Mosley. He talks about pain in a simple and easy-to-understand way. ... https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RRVRqpHYh1XAXXgccgjnJ

18.01.2022 Do you have a loved one in care that you are not allowed to see in person due to a temporary ban on visitors? The phone is a great way to keep connected! And i...f you're supporting a loved one with dementia, phone calls can benefit even more from a little bit of pre-planning to make them truly successful for everyone involved. Here are some quick tips you can use for your next phone call... good luck and let me know if your favourite is #1, #2, #3 or #4!

17.01.2022 Telehealth Consultations - Arent we fortunate to live in a world where we can still meaningfully connect with people face-face, many kilometres away? Living on the Eyre Peninsula (and in Australia in general) means highway travel is a given. But what happens when travelling to and from appointments, to a town 2 hours + drive away, becomes even more difficult? We need to think of alternative ways of delivering services!... Telehealth ___ We can now provide many services through Telehealth, and to be honest, Brooke is quietly loving wearing her slippers in the comfort of her own home during consults

17.01.2022 Evidence Based Practice ___ Did you know that occupational therapy interventions should be offered to people living with dementia in the community? This is based on research evidence and a recommendation in the Clinical Practice Guidelines of Care for People with Dementia (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2016).... Occupational therapy interventions should include: Environmental assessment Modifications to aid independence Prescription of assistive devices Tailored intervention to promote independence in daily activities, which may include: Problem solving Task simplification Education/Training for caregivers And yes, we offer all of the above!

15.01.2022 PREVENTING DEMENTIA - Free online training by the University of Tasmania! https://mooc.utas.edu.au/index.php

15.01.2022 **Our Team is Growing** _____________________________________________ Welcome Jessica Harris!! ... Jess has recently joined us to provide much needed support in the administration department! Jess is an Eyre Peninsula local; growing up in Kimba before moving to Port Lincoln. Jess values spending time with her young daughter and watching her grow. You will see her at the netball courts in winter and the beach in summer. Despite being netball court rivals, Im confident that Jess and I will make a great team! Her friendly and calm nature is welcomed with open arms. I look forward to collaborating with Jess to continue to provide high quality aged care and dementia support to our EP locals Welcome Jess!

15.01.2022 Restrictions are being eased on aged care facilities. Residents will be able to leave aged care facilities and return without restriction, meaning that families... and friends can now take residents on outings in the community. Children of any age can now also visit residential aged care facilities, provided they have had their flu vaccine (babies under 6 months are exempt from the flu vaccination requirement). Residents can have up to two family members, friends or volunteers providing social support visit them each day, and aged care facilities can now approve additional visits where this is appropriate or necessary. Being able to provide end-of-life support to a loved one is an extremely valuable and important experience for residents, family, and friends. Loved ones are able to visit to provide this support and there are no restrictions on visitor numbers. If you are planning a visit, ensure you meet the criteria and be mindful of the restrictions to protect vulnerable people within our community.

14.01.2022 A shrinking brain Our brain is made up of billions of cells called neurons which connect to each other at synapses and send messages to our body so that it can function properly. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals in our brain that help send those messages. For example, you may have heard of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which helps our brain to learn and remember. Another one is dopamine, which is related to our motivation and mood.... Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia cause the neurons in the brain to die. Gradually over time, and as the disease progresses, the amount of neurons in the brain of someone with Alzheimers has significantly reduced. This means that a lot of what the brain has learnt to be able to function in this world has gone, which is why we see the things like forgetfulness, disorientation, mood changes/anxiety, mobility difficulties/falls, incontinence -the neurons that used to help send the messages to ensure all of these things worked properly are out of order. Because of such a loss of brain cells and activity in the brain, images of a persons brain who has had Alzheimers disease shows that it has shrunk compared to a normal brain. BUT, the good news. With a carefully designed environment, and caregivers who know how to act and respond around people living with the condition, the impact of the brains deteriorating function can be reduced to help people living with the disease to flourish and still maintain a level of independence and feel a sense of purpose. Queensland Brain Institute - University of QLD

13.01.2022 FALLS ARE SERIOUS ___ Falls prevention is extremely important in ensuring that older people can maintain their independence and continue to live at home. Falls risk increases as people age and can lead to serious injury and even death. As people age, their muscle mass and bone density decreases, which can lead to increased risk of fall and injury.... Fortunately, most falls are preventable. There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of falls and 3 of them include: ................................................................................... 1. Engage in exercises that focus on building strength/balance and improve mobility - Book an appointment with a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist to help identify suitble exercises. 2. Speak to your GP about reducing medication that leads to sedation, if safe to do so. 3. Speak to an Occupational Therapist about getting a home safety assessment to look at ways to modify/adapt the home to increase safety and reduce risk of falls.

12.01.2022 Dementia Care _____ Reasoning and trying to explain a situation using logic is never as effective as being with that person, making them feel safe and secure and showing them that you care about them.

12.01.2022 Motherhood A role that we have been lucky enough to be blessed with and a role that will continue to help shape our lives for as long as we live. Happy Mothers Day from the Holistic OT team

12.01.2022 Why would I post a photo of a toilet? How does that have anything to do with dementia? Well. ___ Many people living with dementia have or go on to develop (big word alert) visuospatial difficulties. In simple terms this means that the brain has difficulty working out where objects are in space/relation to the persons body.... You may have noticed your loved one struggle to find and sit down on the toilet seat. They may have even missed it completely and fallen. It may be that your loved one has walked into things or overreached for that cup of tea. Coloured toilet seats are great as they add contrast and are more visible, meaning more independence and less risk of falls.

11.01.2022 BAD DESIGN FOR DEMENTIA ___ What looks like a nice modern bathroom can potentially be extremely confusing for someone living with dementia. Why? One reason is lack of contrast. Many people living with dementia need the environment to contrast well, so that they can easily locate objects and move freely and safely in their environment.... Don’t get me wrong, this bathroom is stunning, but, when we think about dementia - it’s not so stunning! Having trained occupational therapists provide assessment and recommendations for home modifications for people living with dementia is essential in ensuring that person can remain as independent and as safe as possible in their daily tasks. What modifications might we be able to make to this bathroom to better meet the needs of someone living with dementia? 1 Change the tapware to black lever taps with clear hot/cold indicators 2 Change the toilet seat to a black/blue toilet seat 3 Change handles on doors/draws to a highly contrasting colour such as back, and make them D type handles (or something more familiar to the client) 4 Put labels on cupboards/drawers with pictures and words 5 Paint a border at the bottom of the wall on the skirting to discriminate the wall from the floor 6 Apply a non-slip etching to the floor 7 Install black grab rails 8 Use dark coloured towels (instead of white) It is important that a thorough assessment with the client, family/carers and occupational therapist takes place to ensure that the recommendations are tailored to the individual client whilst considering the needs of others using the space.

10.01.2022 Many people who have a government funded home care package (level 1,2,3 or 4) are unaware that our services can be provided and funded under the program! If you think our services would benefit you and your loved one, please get in touch with us or speak to your home care provider/coordinator to arrange a referral. Sometimes we see people for 2 or 3 visits, and sometimes we see people on a fortnightly or monthly basis, depending on their individual needs and level of funding.... Services provided under a home care package can not only include things like cleaning, gardening, shopping and showering support but also allied health and occupational therapy

10.01.2022 So often in my work I hear of older adults having a fall, sustaining an injury, being admitted to hospital and never returning home. Falls are a common in older people and falls risk increases substantially if someone has dementia. As people age, they loose muscle mass and bone density, so their risk of falling becomes higher, and so too does their risk of injury should they fall.... Fortunately, most falls are preventable. Here are 3 things that can be done to reduce a persons risk of having a fall: ___ 1. Engage in exercise that focuses on improving/maintaining strength and balance and overall mobility (walking alone is not enough). Seeing a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist can be really helpful to ensure you are doing the correct exercises based on your individual needs. 2. Have a medication review with a GP or Pharmacist to identify if you are on any sedating medications that may increase your risk of having a fall. 3. Have an Occupational Therapist visit your home to discuss with you ways that you can modify or adapt your home and the tasks you do, to reduce your risk of falling. Most falls are preventable, lets be less reactive and more proactive when it comes to falls prevention!

10.01.2022 Putting up signs at around waist level (as opposed to eye level) may be needed, especially if your loved one has a kyphosis (curved spine and forward neck posture), which means that they look downwards.

10.01.2022 We often suggest introducing music into the daily routine of our clients, particularly those living with dementia. The research is there but here is a real-life example of just how powerful music can be when used well. Absolutely beautiful

09.01.2022 Choosing an Aged Care facility ___ Good dementia care facilities should NOT look like hotels and run like hospitals. We should be looking beyond just the clinical care and fancy environment.... How does the aged care facility ensure that people feel a sense of purpose? A sense of meaning in their lives. How does the facility support that person to still have a reason to live? Yes, good clinical care is very important. But theres more to ensuring our loved ones have the best quality of life possible than just making sure they have their medication on time, are re-positioned regularly, arent losing weight, having regular GP reviews and look well dressed and clean. How are staff supporting them to engage in meaningful activities that give them a sense of purpose? A reason to continue to live? A good aged care facility is NOT one that does everything FOR their residents. Its one that does things WITH them. Helping them to make choices and feel as though they still have something to give. Helping sweep floors, watering the plants, raking the leaves, fold up letters, do the dishes, hand out meals and hang out the washing - these are all basic tasks that can give residents a sense of purpose and identity when a lot of it can be lost because of the restrictive environment that they are in. How does the facility ensure that their residents are still connected to the broader community? How does the facility ensure residents past life history, work roles and hobbies/interests influence that persons day and the activities and tasks they support them to engage in? Activity groups are good, but not everyone will be interested in the group offered.. how does the facility manage that and ensure the person doesnt miss out on doing things. Look beyond the four walls and the look of the place.

09.01.2022 Working in health or aged care? Heres why you should do the FREE Understanding Dementia Massive Open Online Course - Prof Fran McInerney Enrol now and start today at https://mooc.utas.edu.au/

08.01.2022 Validate, validate, validate!!! ____ Validate their feelings. Swap saying youre ok and please dont cry, for you seem really upset/angry/frustrated by this, Im so sorry. This must be really hard for you, Im sorry. . By doing this you are acknowledging their distress and allowing them to feel normal emotions.... After you have validated their distress, then by all means support them to regulate their feelings by re-directing them to do a pleasurable activity (listen to music, walk outside, cup of tea, go for a drive). But always validate how they are feeling first

08.01.2022 Many people with dementia can lose the ability to recognise objects and their function.. And so what can tend to happen is that they find themselves tinkering with objects that arent what we might call appropriate to the context.. so we take it away from them. One example I can think of is someone with dementia finding a garden ornament from outside and walking around with it inside. Or banging a shoe on the table. Whilst we, on the outside, may think this is an inappropr...iate thing to do, it is serving a purpose for that person. And when we go and take it away from them, it can lead to confusion and distress. They were using it to do something useful in their mind!! ___ So instead of just taking it away, which is often our natural instinct... substitute it with something more appropriate. For example, can you substitute that shoe for a duster? Is it that they are actually trying to dust the table and got confused thinking a shoe was a duster?! See more

07.01.2022 REFRAMING our Thoughts | Dementia Care How you can feel less frustrated in your role as a dementia caregiver by simply reframing your thoughts!

07.01.2022 I made my way up the coast to see some clients today. One thing I love about Occupational Therapy is that our office is often in the homes of our clients, which means I get to visit beautiful places like this

07.01.2022 COVID-19 update, 19.11.2020: South Australian Circuit Breaker There will be no face-to-face appointments for the next 6 days. We are in the process of contacting clients who have scheduled appointments over the next 6 days offering tele-health/phone appointments where appropriate.... For those clients with appointments from Wednesday 25th November onwards, please stay tuned as we will keep you updated as we know more. Keep well Please stay updated via trusted sources such as the SA Government website: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au

06.01.2022 How can we support people living with dementia beyond their basic ADLs? _______ Caring is hard and for carers, especially those who work in residential care or home care, you feel like you are forever chasing your tail; how could you possibly do more than what is already expected of you?? ~ Lets start to move beyond the these are my tasks and those are yours mindset. Whether we are a carer, kitchen staff, cleaner, lifestyle staff, allied health or manager... our ultimate g...oal is to support those who need us and help them live rich, meaningful and fulfilling lives. We are all in it together! We should not work in isolation; in silos. If you see someone with dementia wandering, distressed, seeming bored or lonely... its everyones role to support them. Lets not wait for the right person to come along to make them feel safe and loved and keep them occupied. We need to work as a team!!! ........................... Set them up with a purposeful task after their shower in the morning.. it will take 5 minutes, and potentially save you 30 minutes in 2 hours time when they could have been wandering and in a challenging situation because they did not have anything to do to make them feel a sense of purpose. Pictured is a lady sorting buttons into colours. She was an avid sewer and spent an hour doing this activity (with some minor supervision and checking in). It was a task that was the just right challenge for her. She stopped wandering, she stopped trying to take another residents walker thinking it was hers - all because she had purpose and was occupied. And lets not forget the impact of someone giving 100% of their attention, making her feel loved and important. The success here I think was highly influenced by the way the activity was presented to her. Instead of asking if she wanted to sort buttons, I told her that I really needed help with something and asked if she would be able to help me to clean the sewing cupboard and sort buttons. It was not so much about the activity itself, but the meaning behind it. Lets work together and team with our colleagues... No matter what our title is, we are all here for the very same reason.

06.01.2022 Our thoughts and interpretations of situations we are in highly influence how we feel and behave. And how we feel and behave highly influences how we think and interpret situations. Dementia care that involves compassion and empathy requires us to take a step back and become more mindful of our thoughts and interpretations. Next time you find yourself angry and frustrated in your caregiving role, be mindful of whats going through your mind. What is another way you can view t...he situation that will allow you to be less frustrated and more compassionate. We have a choice to change, but people living with dementia often do not. We have the choice to continue to think in a way that leads to frustration, or we can choose to think in a way that leads to more compassion and empathy and better outcomes for both ourselves and those we care for. When we are stressed this is much harder to do and regular stress often leads to more negative thinking which leads to more frustration and the vicious cycle continues. This is why self care and mindfulness based stress reduction approaches can be so beneficial. Here is an example: Situation: LOWD tells you to get lost, go away. I hate you. You think: How dare they, I care for them everyday, how dare they say that to the person who cares the most. They are so disrespectful. They SHOULD NOT behave like that. You feel: Angry and frustrated. Situation: LOWD tells you to get lost, go away. I hate you. You think: Ok that is a sign maybe I need to step back and give them a break. Theyre brain no longer can decide when and when not to say those things. They must be feeling so frustrated. They never chose to get dementia how difficult must it be for them. Time for a break from each other. You feel: Compassion and empathy. Same situation, different interpretations, completely different feelings.

05.01.2022 Caregivers often say to me I didnt know that, I should have been doing it that way instead... ___ Well, you dont know what you dont know. You are doing the BEST you can with what you know and have... but, be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. They may or may not work, but it is so worth the try. Were here to walk alongside you and help

04.01.2022 Forgetting to turn off the stove ____ Many caregivers of a person with memory difficulties are worried that their loved one will forget to turn off the stove/oven. Many caregivers also tell me their loved one HAS forgotten to turn off the stove, some several times. This is especially a concern when someone is living alone but still wants to engage in their valued activity of cooking.... SOLUTION __ Meet the stove isolator system! It doesnt look like much, but this device recently installed for a client means that they and their family have peace of mind knowing they can still cook and if they forget to turn off the oven/stove, it will automatically switch off. If there are other people in the house who want to cook, the auto-shut off can be disabled to allow for cooking longer than 20minutes. How amazing! ___ Did you also know that you can get this type of auto-switch off device hooked up to other appliances such as a sandwich press or electric fry pan?! Thanks Schreiber Electrical & Air Conditioning

04.01.2022 SAY WHAT!!!! ____ When your loved one makes crude comments or swears loudly when out in public... it can be embarrassing! So how do you respond?... Firstly, avoid firing back with something like thats horrible Mary, that is very inappropriate. Remember, the part of their brain that helps them understand when it is appropriate and when it is not appropriate to say things is being damaged by the dementia. Their lid is hard to contain and sometimes it pops open with comments in places that can lead to much embarrassment for caregivers. Instead, try and use humour. Maybe say something like - now Mary, the swear police wont be happy, you better watch your language!. What about a companion card that can be discretely handed over to the person sitting close by at the GP clinic? A card that says something like - I am with a person who lives with dementia who requires kindness and patience, thanks for your understanding. @dementia_australia have some great cards. ____ AVOID: trying to rationalise persisting to correct them if it is leading to agitation or aggression. Try and empathise with them in these situations, showing them you are there for them. Remain calm - and try to see the funny side

03.01.2022 When your loved one with dementia (LOWD) is having trouble doing things, blame the thing, not them! ___ Instead of saying youre having a bit of trouble with that arent you?.. try this.. ___ Trouble turning on the tap - that tap has been giving everyone grief today, shall I try?... ... Trouble buttoning the shirt - this shirt doesnt want to comply today does it! ... Trouble using the microwave - this microwave has been giving me grief ever since I purchased it, may I offer to help? ... Trouble using the phone - this phone is so confusing, can I try to help you work it? See more

03.01.2022 Simply modifying our language in dementia care can be extremely powerful in achieving better care outcomes. When we change our language from challenging behaviour to unmet need, we take the blame away from the person living with dementia. We move from being in a position of thinking its the person that needs to change, to trying to look at solutions to help them. How has simply changing your language and re-phrasing helped you?

03.01.2022 Living in the moment; a very good illustration of the differences between generations. Image credit: John Blanding

03.01.2022 Did you know we offer Telehealth! Whether you are located in Port Lincoln, Cleve, Ceduna or Queensland! We can assist! Telehealth consults can include:... - Assessment for equipment - Home modification advice - Counselling support and education - Falls/home safety assessment - Advice regarding supports available And so much more!

03.01.2022 Leading a fun and fulfilling life and living with dementia As we near the end of Dementia Action Week we want to share an important message! Many people living with dementia CAN and DO continue to live fun, fulfilling and meaningful lives even with their condition in the background.... People living with dementia can continue to do many activities they want and need to do; the dementia label does not mean that they should automatically stop doing things and accept full assistance. And one of the most important points - we can do many things to help a person living with dementia to experience improved function in day to day life! Yes, rehabilitation and re-ablement is so important in dementia care, and so so achievable with the right support and environment.

03.01.2022 When 2 soon becomes 3 Yes you read right! We are super excited to have another full-time occupational therapist join our team in January! We can’t wait to introduce her to you all ... Super grateful that our community has welcomed us with open arms and we have been able to grow our services to meet the needs of our EP community and clients. Growing a business is scary, but the most positive and rewarding part we get to support more and more people along the way

01.01.2022 HOW TO ACCESS AGED CARE IN-HOME SUPPORT _____ Knowing where to go to access government funded in-home support for your elderly loved one can be confusing, this video helps to explain how to do it in a simple and easy-to-understand way!

01.01.2022 Fantastic explanation of Lewy Body Dementia, a type of dementia commonly linked to Parkinsons Disease. Thanks Teepa Snow

01.01.2022 Part of our role as occupational therapists is to provide information and advice to our clients about equipment and techniques that make doing everyday tasks easier and safer. Whether it be advice on how to get into and out of the car easier, how to move more easily in bed, or how to play a game of 8-ball with very limited arm movement.. we are here to help, brainstorm with you and come up with solutions! Life is about being able to do the things that are important to us despite the conditions and setbacks we face. As OTs, we strive to support people to help them continue to do the things that are important to them as we know how vital this is to a persons overall health and well-being

01.01.2022 Have you ever wondered why your loved one living with dementia has stopped doing things they used to once do and enjoy? Doesn't it get frustrating when you feel as though you have to remind and encourage them to do things; things that they once did automatically without needing a bit of nagging? Let's talk APATHY. Apathy is commonly experienced by people living with dementia and it is not by choice. Apathy essentially means a lack of internal drive to complete tasks. Apathy m...ay look like this: A lack of interest in daily activities or looking after self Socialising reduces A loss of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies or activities Reduced spontaneous conversation (may just be a passive member of a conversation, not contributing a lot) Reduced/restricted facial expression (emotional blunting) Loss of motivation No longer initiating tasks (needs encouragement) ___ Apathy is a result of the brain no longer working like it used to. The brains "starter-motor" is no longer running smoothly and this is often a result of reduced frontal lobe functioning (the forehead part of the brain which is associated with motivation, planning, judgement and other higher order functions). Apathy is often misdiagnosed as depression. Unlike depression, apathy is generally not associated with sleep problems, sadness, a sense of hopelessness and impaired attention.