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Occupational Therapy – Community Care is Growing! with AARON HARDAKER
W
hile it’s only been two quick months since Mid North Coast Physio launched mobile services on the Coffs Coast, the next exciting announcement is already here. Their Community Care team is growing with the addition of a highly experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) adding a range of new services to what’s available for those in need to access at home and in the community. We caught up with Aaron Hardaker, director of Mid North Coast Physio, to find out more. What is Community Care? The MNC Community Care program is our way of taking the caring, friendly, and highquality healthcare the Coffs Coast community knows and loves from our 4 clinic locations and making it more easily available to those who need it. We launched Community Care initially with Ray Chen, our experienced and multi-talented physio, and are now pleased to announce we have Michelle Carr, an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years experience in the industry on board to support even more in our community. Who will benefit from OT services within
MICHELLE CARR
the Community Care program? We understand some of the most vulnerable in our community are the ones who have the least access to the services they need. Our aim is to provide targeted care and support to clients at home including individuals and families suffering with pain, older adults including those with Home Care Packages, people living with a disability including those funded under NDIS, and those in our community living with chronic disease who can’t access our clinics. We can also provide services for post-operative rehab after hospital discharge, rehabilitation following stroke or head injuries, along with workplace visits for injury prevention and injury management services. Michelle has a good understanding of the health issues facing older clients and the services and supports available to them. For older clients experiencing cognitive decline, she can complete functional and formal assessments with clients and their family to provide comprehensive information to GPs and Specialists to enhance their care, diagnosis, and decision making. She is also able to provide follow up support for clients and their families as required. What can Michelle help clients with through
her Community Care services in homes and workplaces? As an Occupational Therapist, her practise is very client-centred and focused on helping people achieve things that are important to them, whether it be a simple everyday activity, or a leisure activity. Michelle can provide assessment and rehabilitation for people who have had a stroke or other neurological problems in the areas of upper limb, cognitive, perceptual, and functional difficulties. This can include reports to support NDIS applications for younger people. Michelle is also able to provide services such as home safety assessments, recommendations for minor home modifications and equipment needs, and pressure injury care. Home assessments can be carried out prior to planned surgery (particularly joint replacements or back surgery) to ensure clients are prepared and in the best position to manage well and confidently when they return home from hospital. To find out more about the Community Care service or to book a home visit, call the friendly team at MNC Physio on 1300 273747.
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