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Our areas of expertise

Occupational Therapy Fitness to Drive Assessments

At Supportive Occupational Therapy Services, we understand that driving is more than just a means of transport, it’s a vital part of staying independent, connected, and in control of daily life. Our goal is to help individuals continue driving safely, confidently, and legally for as long as possible.

We provide comprehensive Occupational Therapy Fitness to Drive Assessments for people whose driving ability may be affected by medical conditions, physical or cognitive disabilities, injuries, or age-related changes. Each assessment is carried out by a nationally accredited Occupational Therapy driving assessor and is tailored to the individual’s needs. Our approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and focused on promoting independene while ensuring road safety, for both the driver and the wider community.

What does an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment involve:

PART 1: Offroad assessment
The Occupational Therapist will assess driving and medical history, test the participants understanding of road laws, assess your vision, movement, strength, coordination, reaction time and cognitive abilities.
This assessment evaluates functional limitations, understanding of safe driving, the need for vehicle modifications and any potential license conditions.

Part 2: Onroad assessment
The test is conducted in a dual controlled car with a driving instructor and the Occupational Therapist. The instructor maintains the safety of the vehicle and provides directions.

The assessment evaluates:

  • Physical limitations, vehicle control and reaction times
  • Planning, judgement and observation skills
  • Abiding with road laws including speed, vehicle position and reactions to traffic situations
  • Completing driving tasks despite distractions (e.g. conversations in the car).
  • If vehicle modifications are required (e.g. steering aid, left foot accelerator), the ability to safely use the modifications.

Home assessment and modifications:

At Supportive Occupational Therapy Services we understand how important it is to be comfortable in your own home. Our team are specialists in home assessments and modifications and can work with you in adapting your home environment or living space to improve your independence, security and wellbeing.

The home modification process includes a detailed evaluation of your home environment, assessing your needs and identifying and implementing solutions or training to improve your quality of life. Our recommendations may be as simple as altering the furniture layout or extend to the installation of grab rails or the use of specialist equipment like stair lifts or shower chairs.

We aim to provide practical advice as well as listen to your needs, be it for future planning, temporary or permanent solutions. When completing an assessment, we look at how you get into and out of your house, how you access your bathroom, supports that might be beneficial in maintaining your independence, review of your furniture set up such as beds and chairs and how these meet your physical needs.

If you or your loved one is in hospital, we can also provide a pre-discharge assessment to work with you in setting up the home environment.

What can we do:

  • Recommendations and detailed advice on home environment set up and modifications including rail and equipment positioning
  • Recommendations on how best to access your home environment, considering rail installation, step modification, ramps or stairlifts
  • Review of your bathroom including access, equipment and supports to best suit your needs
  • Assessment of kitchen and living areas to review and provide recommendations to promote your independence
  • Education and advice on specialist equipment specific to your needs
  • Falls risk assessment, recommendations and retraining
  • Tailored memory assessment and strategies
  • Fatigue and energy conservation
  • Breathlessness management
  • Pressure care management and positioning
  • Guidance on additional support services
  • Family and carer training, support and education

Aged Care

We understand the importance of maintaining your independence and being able to stay at home for as long as possible. We also understand the varying challenges you or your loved ones may experience. We will tailor our therapy and support plan to help you achieve what is most important. Dependent on your needs we may work with you to relearn a skill, find a new way to do it or adapt the task using equipment and supports. We can also help guide you on what additional supports may be helpful for you. Our aim is to help you maximise your function and independence.

What can we do:

  • Detailed home environment assessment and equipment recommendations, including rail and equipment positioning
  • Individualised therapy programs to support you to return to or participate in your daily tasks
  • Tailored memory assessment and support plan specific to you
  • Education and advice on specialist equipment
  • Falls risk assessment, recommendations and retraining
  • Fatigue and energy conservation
  • Breathlessness management
  • Guidance on additional support services
  • Family and carer training, support and education

Rehabilitation

At Supportive Occupational Therapy Services we understand that all of our clients have different needs and goals. Depending on your diagnosis and your needs we will provide a tailored assessment and therapy plan to help you achieve these goals. We pride ourselves on working closely with you to ensure that therapy is client centred, evidence based and achievable. Our aim is to help you maximise your function and independence. Dependent on your needs, we may work with you to relearn a skill, find a new way to do it or adapt the task using equipment and supports.

If you are unsure if we can help you, please contact us to discuss the services we can provide to help you achieve your desired outcomes.

What can we do:

  • Activities of daily living assessment
  • Tailored therapeutic support plan
  • Detailed home environment assessment and equipment recommendations
  • Cognitive assessment and retraining
  • Falls risk assessment, recommendations and retraining
  • Stroke and neurological rehabilitation
  • Return to work planning
  • Support you in accessing your community
  • Guidance on additional support services

Cognition, Memory and Dementia

At Supportive Occupational Therapy Services we are passionate about supporting our clients who might be experiencing memory changes. We understand the impact these changes can have on your independence and ability to complete day to day activities. It is our aim to support you and your family in managing these symptoms be it acute or long-term changes. We offer standardised assessments as well as tailored therapy to maximise your cognitive and physical function. We also provide support and guidance to family and carers in managing symptoms.

What can we do:

  • Tailored memory assessment and support plan specific to you
  • Activities of daily living assessment
  • Detailed home environment assessment and equipment recommendations
  • Standardised cognitive assessment
  • Falls risk assessment, recommendations and retraining
  • Family and carer training, support and education
  • Guidance on additional support services

Palliative care

At Supportive Occupational Therapy Services, we are here to support you or your loved ones with their quality of life goals. Our desire is to provide you with options and strategies to manage your daily activities and support you to achieve your desired goals. We aim to support you and your family in managing symptoms and functional changes. We will assist you in planning for these changes and work to maintain your dignity focusing on what is most important to you.

What can we do:

  • Home environment and equipment recommendations for now and future planning
  • Functional task retraining, assisting you to do what is most important
  • Support with symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness and pain
  • Pressure care management and positioning
  • Family and carer training, support and education
  • Liaison with services

Pressure Care

Your comfort and positioning are important to us at Supportive Occupational Therapy Services. We understand the risks of pressure injuries and the issues that can arise from inadequate seating and positioning. We also understand the challenges for clients who are limited or dependent in their pressure care needs. We can provide a detailed assessment and support you in choosing the appropriate equipment for your needs.

What can we do:

  • Comprehensive seating and cushioning assessment with advice specific to your needs
  • Review of your positioning and offloading techniques
  • Pressure care education
  • Family and carer training, support and education