Occupational therapists work with people who have limited ability to do everyday activities.
Their services include:
- functional assessment of everyday activities such as showering and dressing
- cognitive assessments (standardised) to assess current cognitive status and potential safety implications
- rehabilitation in the home or for people returning to work
- equipment assessments for short- or long-term needs
- home visits to assess safety
- community assessments and interventions, such as the provision of equipment or an application to Enable New Zealand for housing modifications.
Referral criteria
People will be referred to occupational therapy services if they:
- experience a deterioration in functional ability, due to hospital admission or a recent event
- demonstrate cognitive impairment that affects their ability to function or be safe at home
- live alone with limited social support
- require environmental checks or home visits to assess safety
- require equipment on discharge, needing long term funding.