Occupational Therapists – are regulated health care professionals, and governed under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). Occupational Therapists have:
- Graduated from an accredited university program with a Master’s degree in Occupational therapy (MClSc(OT)).
- Successfully completed 1000 hrs of fieldwork education and passed a certification examination.
- Unique training which enables occupational therapists to understand not only the medical and physical limitations of a disability or injury, but also the psycho-social factors that affect an individual’s ability to function independently within their specific environment.
- Occupational therapists are authorized to prescribe assistive devices such as wheelchairs, mobility devices and communication aids in provinces with provincial assistive device funding programs.
Our approach is client-centred and collaborative.
Click this link: http://maxability.ca/?p=162 to read why you should consult an Occupational Therapist for home safety/falls prevention assessments.
Kecia Singh Leach, Occupational Therapist, OT Reg.(Ont.)
Kess, a graduate of Western University with a MClSc(OT), worked at the London Health Sciences Centre for 12 years. During that time she worked on many services throughout the acute care setting including general medicine, ICU, orthopaedics, surgery, and palliative care, assessing patient function and providing intervention; and with plastic surgery providing hand therapy. She also worked in the community assessing home safety. As part of the acute-care team at LHSC, she participated in many family meetings to advise, from a functional perspective, whether or not a person could return home safely following a fall, injury, or illness at home.
After experiencing first-hand the anguish and chaos that often results following a fall or injury at home, for both individuals and their families, Kess aspired to provide a service that would make a difference. Our focus is on prevention and our goal is to reduce emergency room visits and hospital stays, enabling individuals to live safely in their homes for as long as they choose and are able.
Kristen Naudie, Occupational Therapist, OT Reg.(Ont.)
Kristen is a graduate of the McMaster Occupational Therapy Program BHSc (OT).She worked at St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario, for 4 years in the areas of mental health, family medicine, rheumatology, and at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care. Kristen also worked in Virginia, USA in orthopaedics for one year. She has experience in splinting, orthotics, joint protection and energy conservation techniques. She was a seating and mobility authorizer, working with skin integrity and therapeutic positioning. As well, Kristen has experience in post-operative care of hip and knee surgery with discharge planning to an individual’s home.
Kristen feels strongly about preventative health care and enabling individuals to live healthy, independent, and meaningful lives; no matter what their age. She recognized a need in the community to provide education and consultation to help aging individuals wanting to stay at home maintain their safety and independence.
Together with Kess, they were inspired to develop a role in providing home safety and fall prevention intervention to educate both individuals and their families.
To find out more about Occupational Therapy, please visit the following websites: