RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS

There are a variety of respiratory illnesses and diseases including (inter alia) asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, silicosis, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pneumonia. 

Many respiratory disorders have several common characteristics in functional deficit.  You may experience breathless, coughing, mouth dryness, fatigue, stress, fear, and/or chest pain.  Such symptoms can impede your ability to undertake your ability to discharge your normal activities of daily living.  Depending on the severity of your condition, you may face challenges standing for prolonged periods to cook a meal, walking throughout the grocery store, having a shower, transferring from a chair and/or getting a good night’s sleep.

Our occupational therapists can assist by taking the time to understand your and/or your family’s primary concerns which relate to your respiratory (first and foremost), and thereafter provide targeted advice or activity modification techniques.  Fatigue or stress management strategies can be taught, specific to your lifestyle.  Recommendations regarding assistive equipment, home modifications or commercial care and assistance, can also be of provided.  Advice can be provided to address your or your loved one’s current status, and recommendations and planning can also be undertaken (collaboratively your medical team if required), to prescribe and/or manage the equipment, modifications, and/or care and assistance which may be required in the future, if the condition is progressive (resulting in increased needs over time).

Our occupational therapists work with you and your family, to equip you to live as independently as you can, so you can enjoy life. 

Depending on the services required, you can access our assistance through a range of funding sources.  These include private funding, NDIS funding (for self or planned managed participants), ACAT funding, or a Medicare funding (through a Chronic Disease Management Plan referral from your general medical practitioner)