Social Workers

In Aged Care:
Social Workers in the Aged Care Assessment Team provide assessment, counselling and assistance to the frail elderly and their carers on issues relating to:- difficulties experienced with overall care and management at home; accommodation concerns; investigating protection issues (abuse and neglect); giving information on appropriate community services; and offering support in times of personal and family crisis.

To discuss concerns and/or make a referral phone:
Macarthur Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service

Speech Pathologists

In Aged Care:
Speech pathology services were increased at Camden Hospital in 2002, now having three clinicians available. They service the medical/surgical, palliative care and aged care and rehabilitation wards of Camden Hospital and adult outpatients in the Macarthur area with acquired neurological disorders, such as CVA and degenerative disorders (Parkinson's MND, etc).

Speech Pathologists assess and manage older people who have any communication, eating or drinking problems. They are also involved in education projects.

For referral contact
Macarthur Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service on 4634 6322.

Children's Services:
Speech pathologists see children who have difficulty with:
- talking
- telling stories
- understanding
- reading
- putting sentences together
- voice quality
- pronouncing words

Intake phone: (02) 4633 3133

For Preschool-aged children contact:
Ingleburn Community Health Centre: (02) 9605 8900
Rosemeadow Community Health Centre: (02) 4633 4100
Narellan Community Health Centre: (02) 4640 3500
Wollondilly Health Centre: (02) 4689 6000

For School-aged children contact:
Child Development Service: (02) 4633 4105

See also Spot Chat below.

Physiotherapists

In Aged Care:
Physiotherapists provide assessment, therapy, education and self help programs for all types of conditions in the aged population. Areas of particular expertise include arthritis, rehabilitation, carer education, osteoporosis and any orthopaedic condition which restrict's mobility.

For referrals to physiotherapy in Aged Care:
Macarthur Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service

Occupational Therapist

In Aged Care:
Occupational Therapists in Aged Care provide assessment and therapy to older people who have difficulties with self care, performing daily activities and managing at home. Home assessment, education of carers, home program advice, and prescription of equipment are provided to clients and their carers to enhance independence.

Patients may have difficulty with:
Managing self care - showering/bathing, dressing/grooming, eating/drinking, toileting/continence
Managing at home - preparing meals, shopping, cleaning, budgeting
Receation/Leisure - participating in social activities, sport/exercise, hobbies/interests, maintaining social and family relationships, feelings of isolation
Getting around - walking/climbing stairs, driving, using public transport
Confusion or memory loss

An occupational therapist can work with the older person to:
- assess and modify the home environment, and advise about appropriate aids and equipment if required - perform routine activities safely and independently, such as cooking, dressing and home management
- identify and use local community resources
- adapt to age related changes, cope with bereavement and stress, improve self confidence, and cope with memory loss

The occupational therapist can work with the carer to:
- teach techniques and advise on equipment to reduce the physical and emotional stress related to care giving
- identify and maintain the older adult's abilities for independent living
- teach transfer and positioning techniques

For further information contact:
Australian Association of Occupational Therapists NSW
Unit 20, 8 Avenue of the Americas, Newington 2127
Phone: (02) 96483225
Fax: (02) 9737 0023
Website: www.ausot.com.au
For referrals contact:
Macarthur Aged Care and Rehabilitation Service

Children's Services:
Occupational therapists see children who have difficulty with: - hand skills
- play skills
- getting dressed
- cutting and drawing
- handwriting
- using a knife and fork
- organising themselves
- coordination and clumsiness

For Preschool-aged children (ages 3-5 years) contact:
Narellan Community Health Centre: (02) 4640 3500

For School-aged children and Handwriting Clinic contact:
Child Development Service: (02) 4633 4105

Fresh Start for a Healthy Heart Program

What is it?
An education and support program for people with heart disease and their relatives or friends. This includes people who have had a heart attack or bypass surgery or who suffer from angina.
The program consists of six discussion groups that run week after week throughout the year.
- What does heart disease mean?
- Know your medications
- How to lower your risk
- Exercise to help your heart
- Food for heart's sake
- Stress without disstress

You are welcome to attend any or all of these groups. Each week a physiotherapist is available to give advice about home exercise. The program is open to residents of the Macarthur area (Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly Shires).

When is it?
Tuesdays & Fridays 8.30am to 10am

Where is it?
Woodbine Neighbourhood Centre

If you would like to attend the program, have problems with transport or other enquires, contact the Occupational Health Department on (02) 46343500 or (02) 4634 3503.

Cardiac rehabilitation: (02) 4634 3614

Handwriting Clinic

For children (5-12 years) with messy handwriting, who hold their pen awkwardly, have difficulty writing letters, or have difficulty keeping up with writing activities in the classroom. The clinics involve:
- observations of your child's handwriting
- identification of problem areas
- helpful ideas and strategies for home and school

Contact the Child Development Service: (02) 4633 4105

Spot Chat

A drop in clinic where parents can talk to a speech pathologist about their children's speech or language development (0-12 years). Waiting times may vary according to demand. Contact your local community health centre to make an appointment.

SPOT Services
Phone consultation service:
Parents and carers can phone the speech pathologist, occupational therapist, or psychologist who best meets their child's needs.
SPOT Chat:
A speech pathology Spot Chat will operate from the community health centres. Parents and carers can discuss their child's speech or language development.
Occupational Therapy Preschool Clinics:
These are run from Narellan CHC for children 3 to 5 years.
Handwriting Clinics:
These are conducted by OTs at Rosemeadow CHC for school aged children.